Hard start Beaver

SteveM · Mar 16, 2004

I just acquired a clean well maintained Beaver, but with the temps in the 30's here it is harder to start than my other 2cyl diesels. Here is where things stand:

With my battery charger/jumper hooked up (to ensure I am not suffering a bad battery) I had to do 2 rounds of glow plug for about 1 full minute, then crank for nearly 10 seconds at full throttle - lots of smoke - and it reluctantly fired up /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Once running it does not smoke at any RPM, only slight smoke when I jab at the throttle.

The glow plug indicator works, and the wires leading to the plugs look good.

1st question - how well do Beavers start cold?
2nd - how can I test that the plugs are working?
3rd - this machine has a plug in heater that seems to warm the intake (havent used) how long should such a thing be plugged in to be effective?

Thanks for all your help

- for background info, my previous Kubota and Hinimoto 2cyl diesels would start pretty quickly with just one round of 1minute glow, less than 5 seconds cranking.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

alvanko · Mar 16, 2004

I have an MT372D which is the same as your S370 Beaver. 2 cylinder diesel .It is almost impossible to start when it is below 40 degrees. I installed a block heater behind the starter in one of the freeze plug holes. Plug it in for an hour and it starts like it was summer . I have never heard of an "intake" heater . i would like to see a photo of that .

BillRodgers · Mar 16, 2004

Start troubleshooting this problem by having the compression checked. The manual calls for 455 lbs and you must have at least 400. This tractor is 25-30 years old and my guess is you don't know its history. If a previous owner had the same problem and used ether to start it, there is a good chance you could have a cracked piston or two. I see alot of them. We recently sold a S370 that we displayed outside our business. It started consistently with one heating of the glow plugs at temperatures from 20-40 degrees. So it is possible. Save time, start by measuring the compression. Email vppinc@rev.net or call 800-609-5110 if you want to discuss this further. Bill (check out our web site satohparts.com)

SteveM · Mar 17, 2004

Well perhaps I posted too soon. Thanks to our 10" of new snow, I had an excuse to play last nite. Plugged in the heater for about 4 hours, and the Beaver started instantly with virtually no smoke. It also should be noted I charged the battery overnight, and the glow plug indicator was much brighter as a result.

Thanks for all your help - I am still interested in doing a compression test - can the tester be rented? I have done this on gas engines, but on a diesel where to you attach the tester?

alvanko · Mar 17, 2004

I have never done the compression test but I would assume you would pull out one glow plug at a time and screw in the fitting there . Be careful that it doesn't start ! Auto Zone possibly rent one ? The compression is much higher than a gasoline engine so dont try to use one for that .

BillRodgers · Mar 17, 2004

Yes Al, it is measured thru the glow plug hole. This requires a compression guage that will read at least 455 lbs and is equipped with a 10mm adapter. You must remove all glow plugs before performing the test. We've been trying to locate a reasonably priced tester we could sell, but so far the supplier is dragging his feet. Bill