Hard Starting 555A Backhoe

[Luke277]

I recently purchased a Ford 555a Backhoe. It has a 3 cyl. Diesel in it. I believe its about a 1983 model with a 201 CID motor.
It won't start without ether once it sits overnight. I don't like having to use starting fluid and wondered if anyone knows why it starts so hard.

It sounds a little rough to me when it's running, but that could be normal for that motor. It has a few exhaust leaks that might be where the ticking sound is coming from. I put a bottle of injector cleaner in it and have run it, but it must get good fuel economy because I have used it for about 20-30 hours on less than 5 gal. of fuel.

 

[whodat526]

I recently purchased a Ford 555a Backhoe. It has a 3 cyl. Diesel in it. I believe its about a 1983 model with a 201 CID motor.
It won't start without ether once it sits overnight. I don't like having to use starting fluid and wondered if anyone knows why it starts so hard.

It sounds a little rough to me when it's running, but that could be normal for that motor. It has a few exhaust leaks that might be where the ticking sound is coming from. I put a bottle of injector cleaner in it and have run it, but it must get good fuel economy because I have used it for about 20-30 hours on less than 5 gal. of fuel.

first off fill it all the way up with fuel and see if that helps with the starting that thing is gravity fed so the extra pressure might help it then look for fuel leaks if neither of them is your problem time for a motor rebuild or a injection pump rebuild

 

[Luke277]

Great advice, I never thought about it being Gravity fed. Hopefully that works because I'd imagine the other 2 options are going to be quite pricey.

 

[kf4uda]

You might also want to change out your fuel filters if you haven't already. I would then look at the injectors. They can be replaced for $50~60 each. Having your injector pump is around $600 or more.

Does your machine have glow plugs? My 555A has does. Turn the key switch to the left and hold for about 30 seconds then start.

 

[Luke277]

I'm not sure about the glow plugs, I'll have to check it out when I get a chance this weekend. Great to get info from someone that has the same machine!!

 

[kf4uda]

I have had my machine for around 7 years. I have been very fortunate with it. It starts almost as well as my 2yr old tractor. Other than normal maintenance I had to do very little work on it. I am certainly not bragging just counting my blessings!

I am glad to help you with what I can. I have (as far as I know) every piece of paper available for that machine as in service,parts and operator manual. The parts information can be obtained anytime from this link:

https://webparts.pvassociates.net/cnh/webparts/main.php

Just type in 555A in the model search. Also here is a breakdown of the 555A fuel system from that site.

 

[Luke277]

Just an update on what I found.

My Machine does not have Glow plugs, it has a "thermostart". It is a coil connected to a fuel line in the intake manifold. It helps the engine start by igniting fuel that is dripped on it from a type of reservoir line and putting superheated air into the intake while cranking.

I removed it and put 12v to it with my battery charger and it got red hot. The wire was disconnected from it and I couldn't figure out how to put power to it with my Key, without having power to it all the time. There is a push button for the horn (which does not work) so i used that to put Power to it when i held in the button.

With the key in the "on" position you hold the button in for about 10 seconds. If you listen you hear a "Poof" of the fuel igniting as it drips onto the thermostart. Keep it held in for a few more seconds and crank the engine. This pulls the hot air into the motor and it fires right up!! Once the button is released the thermostart goes back to the Idle state so it's not "Glowing" all the time. I could probably put in a new key switch with a momentary position but it works fine the way it is.

Thanks to all who posted here to try and help me out. I really appreciate the advice