Hard to start
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JerryK
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- Mahindra (2011)5035 HST TLB & (2016)2555 HST Cab & (2017)1526 HST(2018)Cub Cadet Pro Z 154L (1991) Caterpillar E70B
I know this may be a stupid question, but have you jumped it to another proven good vehicle when you tried to start it. Some diesels require being spun at a certain RPM to fire, and others are less critical. I have a Dodge Cummins that starts easy in the winter even without the grid heaters. Likewise, my old John Deere [no grids] just needs to barely turn over in the winter just starting on one good battery. Also, when you jump it, you should bypass your battery cables that may be bad and hook the positive directly on the starter, ground to block. I have seen bad cables and bad clamps lots of times. Just an idea, which you probably have already looked into....good luck..!!!
JerryK
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- Mahindra (2011)5035 HST TLB & (2016)2555 HST Cab & (2017)1526 HST(2018)Cub Cadet Pro Z 154L (1991) Caterpillar E70B
Here is a link to one tech write up that mentions cranking RPM. Light-Duty Diesel Diagnosis
It is for an older GM truck diesel, but all diesels are the same. As long as the fuel is squirted into the chamber at the right time [ assuming timing has not changed, squirters are in good shape, fuel good, etc ], compression is OK, the thing that matters next is the design of the chamber that the fuel is squirted in. If the motor is not turning over fast enought the compression stoke does not heat the fuel air mixture enough to detonate. Some diesels are RPM critical, and some are not....just life. Not saying this is your problem, but worth looking into. If your motor is one of the ones that needs the RPM, you can crank it from now until the second coming of Christ and she won't fire.
It is for an older GM truck diesel, but all diesels are the same. As long as the fuel is squirted into the chamber at the right time [ assuming timing has not changed, squirters are in good shape, fuel good, etc ], compression is OK, the thing that matters next is the design of the chamber that the fuel is squirted in. If the motor is not turning over fast enought the compression stoke does not heat the fuel air mixture enough to detonate. Some diesels are RPM critical, and some are not....just life. Not saying this is your problem, but worth looking into. If your motor is one of the ones that needs the RPM, you can crank it from now until the second coming of Christ and she won't fire.
JerryK
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- 3,240
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- Vanderbilt, Michigan, USeh?
- Tractor
- Mahindra (2011)5035 HST TLB & (2016)2555 HST Cab & (2017)1526 HST(2018)Cub Cadet Pro Z 154L (1991) Caterpillar E70B
Next time you try to start it and she won't start, pull your intake air hose off your intake manifold for a quick try. If you have any blockage [bad filter, mouse nest, collapse of the air intake hose, etc.] it could show up by slow cranking, if it were bad enough. Usually intake blockage will still start but have no power, but wouldn't take long to check.
You should be able to count to 12 pretty easy before the glow plugs go off but you might also check your cranking speed. Cranking speed is actually pretty critical for diesel engines. The stock battery they put in those things is barely adequate. You will want to make sure all the connections are clean. After a cranking session none of the battery connections should be hot much less warm. Also I haven't checked mine but the timing might be a tad retarded. I know on other diesels that can make a big difference. I can set 6.2 and 6.5 GM diesels by ear. Not sure if the mahindra's have a cold start solenoid that advances timing cold or not. Generally diesels do not run the timing advanced much. You would have to check the mahindra manual to know if it is even possible to change it.
The more the timing is advanced the more it will rattle. A quiet engine is generally a bit retarded.
Ooops guess I should have finished reading the thread before posting my previous post.
Wow those are some low compression readings. They should be around 400 or so. I have seen totally wore out engines with better compression then that. It have doubled had gasket with only one piston ring?
Thats about half the time my 2615 runs.
Hard starting when warm is a good clue that the problem likely isn't the glowplugs. Even cranking speed wont matter as much when it is warm. Low compression or timing will though.