IH 384 Starting Problem

[Rockin' G Ranch]

I have a diesel IH 384 that has gotten progressively harder to start. Once it finally starts it runs good and will start again easily. If it sits overnight it will just crank and not even sputter for a long time and smoke a little if any. Smoke is also grey/white. This happens in winter and summer. I had the glow plugs checked and was told they were good.
Could it be a fuel problem or fuel line leak, etc. Any other ideas???? Thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

I think I'd bite the bullet and have the compression checked.

soundguy

 

[Rockin' G Ranch]

I think I'd bite the bullet and have the compression checked.

soundguy

I probably sound naive, but has anyone used Restore? Comments?



Restore USA - Engine Restorer

 

[Soundguy]

mechanic in a can?

If you have a real engine problem... it won't help much if any. ( won't hurt.. )

soundguy

 

[banjodunn]

G'day try bleeding the fuel system before you try and start it in the morning you may be getting air in the system o/night if this doesn't help then possibly have injectors tested and while they are out as soundguy said have compression checked.



Jon

 

[Wayne_H]

I would first check the battery, the cables and the starter. If diesel engines don't crank over FAST they will be hard to start. Just because the starter turns the engine over, it does not mean it is "good".

I chased a hard start problem on my 88 7.3 engine for a while, the solution was a new starter, it was like night and day.

Wayne

 

[dex3361]

I would check the glow plug relay and make sure it is getting voltage to the glow plugs. The reason that I think this is it will start easy after it is warmed up. I agree with the air in the fuel line as well it can give the same grief.

 

[Rockin' G Ranch]

I would first check the battery....

Wayne

Wayne, you are right on! I went to work at the ranch this weekend. The tractor had been shut off for 3 weeks. I did not even try to start it using the tractor battery. I used very heavy duty jumper cables from the tractor battery to my diesel truck battery. There was a noticeable increase in the starter RPM and the tractor started right up.
I installed a battery tender on the tractor battery to hopefully keep it fully charged while not in use. I guess the worst case scenario is to jump it with my truck the first time.
Thanks for the good advise!

 

[Soundguy]

if it's a battery with a low cell.. that tender may not help it.. might need to load and specific gravity test the battery.

soundguy

 

[dieselscout80]

I have a diesel IH 384 that has gotten progressively harder to start. Once it finally starts it runs good and will start again easily. If it sits overnight it will just crank and not even sputter for a long time and smoke a little if any. Smoke is also grey/white. This happens in winter and summer. I had the glow plugs checked and was told they were good.
Could it be a fuel problem or fuel line leak, etc. Any other ideas???? Thanks.

If you have confirmed that you are getting good cranking speed (voltage and amps) then I'd look at the glow plugs. The BD154 has it's glow plugs run is series, so you need to have all of them working and there is a resistor the shows when the glow plugs are warm enough to start which can burn out and cause the glow plugs to not get hot.

There are some ways to convert the BD154 to use a nomal glow plug this thread talks about them.

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - international 414

The BD154 glowpugs are the same as some Mercedes plugs and the are better glow plugs for the Mercedes.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=151959

May Industry Co., Ltd.-GLOW PLUGS

Mercedes glowplug conversion - Google Search

I plan to convert my 424 that has a BD-154 to a better glow plug system.

Carey