Love the block heater in my GC2400

   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #1  

Dmacleo

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2020
Messages
1,867
Location
Etna, Maine
Tractor
2010 MF GC2400 Owner, 2012 MF1532 User
Tuesday morning 12 deg F plugged heater in 30 minutes ran glow plug 15 seconds turned over 5 times purring away.
Wednesday morning also 12 no heater plug 15 seconds fired stall. another 15 fire stall. another 15 running but chugging.
Thursday morning 8 deg F plugged in 30 minutes plugs 15 purring away. temp gauge partway into first white zone before starting and top radiator hose was noticeably warmer than lower hose.

edit: thought we used to be able to add tags like GC2400 etc to posts, don't see option. am I insane?
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #2  
I have a video of my GC starting at 7F. I have no block heater, it fires right up with no smoke, no chugging. :confused3:
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #3  
Ray obviously has the magic touch.... I use my block heater all the time in the fall/winter/spring -- any time it's below 50 or so. When it's really cold I'll give it over an hour on the block heater.
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #4  
I turn my block heater on 3 hours before I need the tractor as long as the outside temperature is below freezing, no glo plugs needed. I don't run my tractor in sub-zero temps.
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #5  
Under 50 degrees, mine splutters and starts hard even when cycling with the glow plugs. When I use the block heater she fires right up, no issues, so I'm glad I installed one.
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #6  
Ray obviously has the magic touch.... I use my block heater all the time in the fall/winter/spring -- any time it's below 50 or so. When it's really cold I'll give it over an hour on the block heater.

There’s a force in the universe that makes things happen, and all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball.
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #7  
Ray66v - HAHA! I've been trying for years, no luck. What's your secret?
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #8  
Ray66v - HAHA! I've been trying for years, no luck. What's your secret?

There is a force in the universe that makes things happen, and all you have to do................ said that already.

Honestly, I'm not sure why some can do it and others can't.

I can't rule out that some GC's just won't do it, for whatever reason, because we don't have the ability to have others try starting it.

I have seen with airplanes, which can be extremely temperamental, especially in the winter, some people have no trouble starting it, and others can't. That seems to come down to experience, (practice), more than anything else.

GC cold starting:

Long glow plug cycles are your friend when it's cold. This can mean 20-30 seconds or even more.

The throttle becomes an important factor when it's cold. There is no computer to adjust the air fuel ratio, it all up to you.

The glow plug times, and throttle setting will vary, depending on exactly how cold it is. At 7F, my glow plug time was about 30 seconds, throttle was open about 1/4 of the way.

If it chugs, or smokes, it's because of incomplete combustion. That probably means one or more cylinder is cold, so it is not burning the fuel. Try more glow plug time, and or looking for a bad glow plug(s). A non-contact infrared thermometer can help find a glow plug problem. Check each cylinder when it first fires, and see if one is colder.

If it cranks, but doesn't seem to want to start, it could need more glow plug time, or it could be the throttle setting. If simply trying some different throttle settings doesn't work, you can try opening the throttle slowly while you are cranking, and see if it fires. Note the setting at the point it fires for future reference.

If your GC engine doesn't start within 3-5 seconds of cranking, it's probably not going to. Continued cranking will at best result in the famous, chugging, choking engine. At worst, it will result in a dead battery. If it doesn't fire in a few seconds, stop cranking, and go back to the beginning. Try more glow plug time, and or a different throttle setting. Changing one thing at a time is more helpful, if you are trying to nail down the procedure.

Keep your battery up to full power, especially in the cold weather. Use of a battery tender is highly recommended. You can get a nice one cheap, on Amazon. Slow cranking diesels, have a much lower chance of starting.

This may seem to be a lot of trouble to some. But, it really isn't once you find the sweet spot. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about it, or ever have to try more than once to start mine.

Yes, it is easier for most people to pay the ransom, buy the heater, (if not equipped), and use it.

Some may very well have to use a block heater where they live. That's fine. But, I do dispute the thought that because it's a diesel, you have to have a block heater. Or, that you are somehow are harming your engine if you don't use one.

Even if you have a block heater, the time will come where you have to start you tractor without it, due to forgetting to plug it in, a power failure, or heater failure. It would be better at that point if you know how to do it well.
 
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I can run plugs 45 seconds (edit thats 2 20+ second attempts)in single digit temps and she still smokes and chugs. starts fast just takes few seconds to clear up then its still loping. cycling plugs helps that
little off idle seems best setting for me, when warm would be around 1400 rpm.
or I plug in for 30 have no issues.
and yeah I have dealt with a/c (piston and turbine) starting, small and large diesel starting, gas and propane engine starts from small blocks to big blocks.
so I for sure know how to start w/o a heater.
I do always use a battery tender below 32 deg, just leave it plugged in. better battery helps glow plugs.

edit: have done the cyl temp check for plugs all are working.
 
Last edited:
   / Love the block heater in my GC2400 #10  
ray66v - Thanks for the information re cold starting. Due to my nebulous last post, I was referring to trying to getting in touch with the force, not so much the cold starts, but your info is helpful none the less!

I can cycle the glow plugs 30-45 seconds 2, or 3 times, doesn't seem to make a difference when its cold, just chugs and sputters, so I use the bock heater (like today) and no issues.
 

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