Is this normal?

[teeravis1]

This morning it was -15 deg F, I went out & plugged in my B3030 for 2.5 hrs. Then I went out to start it, held the glow plugs for 15 sec and cranked the engine, it almost went but not quite. I held the glow plugs for another 15 secs and cranked it and it started up, but blew quite a bit of dark smoke out the exhaust. I let it warm up for about a half hour and went out to go clean some snow but noticed below the exhaust all kinds of black dots in the snow? Is that normal? I don't know if it is oil or what it is, can anyone help me out here? I am still pretty new to diesel engines.

 

[DK35vince]

I let it warm up for about a half hour and went out to go clean some snow but noticed below the exhaust all kinds of black dots in the snow? Is that normal?

It just spit out a little soot from in the exaust pipes.
Its Normal.

 

[Egon]

Are you sure the block heater was working properly??

 

[teeravis1]

Thanks Guys!!

 

[machmeter62]

It is cold enough that the fuel maybe jelling; is the winter grade of diesel fuel in the tank?

 

[Lockport]

Are you sure the block heater was working properly??

I'll 2nd that.

 

[smfcpacfp]

How can you tell if the block heater is working? I had a block heater in my old diesel car and when you plugged it in, it sounded a little like boiling water. With my B3030 tractor I hear nothing. Is that normal?

 

[Egon]

You may hear a little hissing when it's plugged in. The other method is to feel the block and rad. They should be warm.

 

[jbrumberg]

Have you considered and/or are using some diesel additive for your diesel fuel? Jay

 

[john_bud]

I'll second Egon. You can use your hand to feel for warmth with a block heater. Should be warm around the heater in 10-15 min, depending on temps.

When it's real cold (and -15F qualifies), run the glow plugs 3 or more times before you attempt to start. Then when you warm it up, you want the target RPM's to be about 1/3 of the rated pto speed.

I'll also second the additives. Howes Diesel Treat has worked well for me, better than Powerservice.

jb

 

[teeravis1]

The diesel I get is the mixed #1 & #2, plus I add power service to it. I heard the block heater kick in when I plugged it in, and in previous times using it I could also stick my hand on the engine where it is and feel the warmth. However this time I didn't feel for the warmth, maybe my GFCI receptacle tripped for some reason or something after I plugged it in. I will have to check that out. My tractor also sits outside, & it was quite cold. But I'll plug it in again tomorrow and check for warmth by the block heater and see how it starts because it is suppose to be about just as cold.

 

[teeravis1]

I also have to say I know there are you bunch of guys that rip on us people with a cab tractor. But I have to say when it was -15 deg F outside today while I was moving snow it was very nice to be in a warm cab where you wouldn't even need a jacket!!! I must say the cab is worth the ribbing we take It would have been mighty miserable without it. Had to give a shot at you guys while I had a chance -Peace-

 

[smfcpacfp]

I also have to say I know there are you bunch of guys that rip on us people with a cab tractor. But I have to say when it was -15 deg F outside today while I was moving snow it was very nice to be in a warm cab where you wouldn't even need a jacket!!! I must say the cab is worth the ribbing we take It would have been mighty miserable without it. Had to give a shot at you guys while I had a chance -Peace-

I haven't had anyone rip me for having the cab. Many wish they had it. Not only is it nice on cold days, but even more so when it is windy. I sure like the windshield wiper and the defroster. If you look at my old rig (in my Kubota link below) with the aftermarket top, I would have to get out fairly regularly and wipe off the snow that was sticking to the plastic windshield.

As for apparel, I find a T-shirt and shorts to be OK, but I usually wear a sweatshirt and lounging pants lest my neighbors think I am nuts!. I usually have to turn down the heat and blower after a short time.

 

[billbill1]

I don't think you're nuts for having a cab, I think I am because I don't!! My wife will confirm that I am nuts-no matter what.

 

[Egon]

For what I use my little tractor for a cab would be a nuisance. Besides it's not really big enough for a proper cab.

But, sitting in the cab in shirtsleeves in cold weather sure would be nice. Most farmers in cold weather areas or real hot areas sit in comfortable cabs.

 

[SkunkWerX]

If you are on the UP of Michigan it is a state law that you must have a tractor cab!! That is a great looking machine you have!

A lot of good suggestions already posted.

On my old Ford, I would grab the radiator hose, that would tell me if I needed more time to heat or if it was ready. Sometimes it would tell me the block heater wasn't plugged in!

At -15 degrees I am also thinking you may have been lacking on Cold Cranking Amps. In those temps batteries lose some of their capacity.

In cunjunction with my block heater, when it was below 25F , I would also plug in my 2amp trickle charger. You can't leave a trickle charger on for long periods, but for a couple hours, in conjunction with the block heater, should give you a few more Cranking amps to turn over the motor.

I wired a small 2-conducter plug wire to my battery terminals, and brought them up near the steering column so I could plug in the trickle charger without raising the hood.

If it was sitting outdoors in cold and wind, I would place an old moving blanket over the hood, which would help keep in some of the heat created.
If it's windy, a piece of chain draped over the blanket a few times would keep the blanket from blowing off.

Also, if I knew I was getting up at O-dark-30 to plow snow, I would use a timer, set it up the evening before, and have it come on about 3 a.m. , that way by the time I got out there, the block heater and trickle charger had been on for a few hours and it would crank much easier.

 

[teeravis1]

Hey Everyone,
I am just joking around with the cab thing. There were a few threads in the forum where guys with cabs were given a jokingly hard time. That is all I was referring too. Not trying to offend anyone. Just having fun!

 

[Egon]

Yea, but some of us are jealous!

 

[driver444]

I think the key to your problem is the GFCI recepticle.
I have a Ford diesel truck I plug in during the winter. I had to wire a standard outlet in my garage because the block heater would ALWAYS trip the GFCI. After I did that, no more problems. It kinda makes sense, because a block heater is sort-of a short.

 

[mswlogo]

I think the key to your problem is the GFCI recepticle.
I have a Ford diesel truck I plug in during the winter. I had to wire a standard outlet in my garage because the block heater would ALWAYS trip the GFCI. After I did that, no more problems. It kinda makes sense, because a block heater is sort-of a short.

Everything is a "SHORT". Toasters, Ovens, light bulbs; they don't trip unless faulty. Because a GFCI keeps tripping you either have a FAULT or a Faulty GFCI. It could be that the heater is defective and the tractor is "Hot". It's pretty good case that you really should have GFCI on it.

GFCI detect current between the Hot Lead and Ground (not current between Hot Lead and Neutral (white wire)). You can draw 20 amps on a GFCI with no problem.

If your CO2 or smoke detector kept tripping would you remove it or find the source or replace the detector?