Problem starting my DK40

[k0ua]

I was wondering if Boomer613 ever solved the hard start problem. It sounds like the same issue I have with my 2003 DK55. I have to give it throttle while starting and it will smoke white for a good 5 to 10 minutes and has very low power. I have noted a lot of this complaint about the Kioti engines on this and other sites.

I have checked everything I could think of on the tractor. I removed the injector pump and sent it in for a rebuild. Nothing was found wrong with it. I sent in the four injectors and they were found to be working properly. I checked the compression of the engine and all four cylinders were well within specification. All of the glow plugs worked and were within specification. However, the glow plugs only work when the ambient air temperature is cold. I can't remember what the actual temperature has to be for the glow plugs. I put clear hoses on the fuel system to make sure there were no air bubbles. New fuel and filters did not solve the problem. The white smoke is not coolant since I do not lose any coolant or see bubbles in the overflow.

I just hope people make it a standard practice to make a final post discussing what they did to solve the problem. This will help other posters search for remedies.

On my Dk35se the glow plugs do not come on if the block sensor is above 86 degrees F. Min never smokes on startup, and starts every time with just a bump of the key. Easiest starting tractor I have ever owned, and it is number 5.

 

[ritcheyvs]

... and it will smoke white for a good 5 to 10 minutes and has very low power. I have noted a lot of this complaint about the Kioti engines on this and other sites. ...

A few things come to mind. Is the fuel fresh and correct? Have you verified that power is actually getting to the glow plugs? Is the fuel filter clean? My glow plug light always comes on unless the engine is at/near operating temp.

 

[jimglassford]

A few things come to mind. Is the fuel fresh and correct? Have you verified that power is actually getting to the glow plugs? Is the fuel filter clean? My glow plug light always comes on unless the engine is at/near operating temp.

I believe I did state that I tried new filters and fuel with the same results. The glow plugs on my DK55 only operate at a lower temperature. I will check the service manual but I think it is under 70 degrees.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I believe I did state that I tried new filters and fuel with the same results. The glow plugs on my DK55 only operate at a lower temperature. I will check the service manual but I think it is under 70 degrees.

I missed that sentence. My bad.

I looked at service manuals for DK50, DK45s, and DK50SE, which are have similar glow plug controls and should be like your machine. All say the glow light should come on with coolant temp below 60 C, which is 122 F. Sounds like you have a glow control problem. In all cases, the glow plugs should get power with the switch in the glow position (light or no light) if the relay is OK, which is probably the only reason it started at all. Maybe you just have a bad light? Measure the actual voltage at the glow plugs with the switch in glow and immediately after start. The glow control circuit only has three parts (temp sensor, preheat controller, and relay) so it's easy to test and diagnose. It sounds like you have already thrown a lot of expensive parts/work at this problem. Check out the glow power before more parts swapping.

 

[DK35vince]

My DK 35 glow plugs come on when first stated, doesn't matter if its 0* or 95*.
Always starts right up.
My glow plugs quit working once years ago, the glow plug timer box (Controlled) whet bad. (Light would come on but no power to the glow plugs)
No problems since.

 

[ritcheyvs]

... My glow plugs quit working once years ago, the glow plug timer box (Controlled) whet bad. (Light would come on but no power to the glow plugs)...

Good point. The light and the glow plugs are controlled by different circuits inside the box. That's the reason to measure the actual voltage at the plugs vs trusting the light.

 

[jimglassford]

Its not the glow plugs. As I stated, I did check them and they are with in specification. I even pulled all four and watched them glow when the key is first turned on.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Then I think you need to check (as in test, not just replace) the glow controller and associated coolant temp sensor. If the plugs glow (as you say) with the switch in the glow position, then the glow relay is OK. I assume ambient temp is below 122F when you don't get a glow light, so that indicates a problem. The glow controller should continue to power the glow plugs for several seconds after you start the engine; maybe this isn't happening.

What happens when the engine is at operating temp? Is power still low? Does it still smoke on restart?

 

[k0ua]

Then I think you need to check (as in test, not just replace) the glow controller and associated coolant temp sensor. If the plugs glow (as you say) with the switch in the glow position, then the glow relay is OK. I assume ambient temp is below 122F when you don't get a glow light, so that indicates a problem. The glow controller should continue to power the glow plugs for several seconds after you start the engine; maybe this isn't happening.

What happens when the engine is at operating temp? Is power still low? Does it still smoke on restart?

The "post glow" is about 15 seconds after the start. You can see it with your dashboard digital voltmeter. The voltage pops up a couple of tenths of a volt when the post glow cycle stops. I highly recommend installing a dashboard digital voltmeter. I sure like mine.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-voltmeter-my-kioti.html?highlight=voltmeter

 

[Pure Animal]

I have a 2009 DK40se HST and had a hard time getting it started but once started it would run fine. Had the dealer out for another problem and he noticed how hard it was to start. he check the injection pump and told me that there were some with a slightly bend rod in them..he replaced it under warranty and it worked great ever since.