Satoh 370D will not start

[thepumpguysc]

As long as you have glow plugs, you can buy a compression tester kit from harbor freight & do a compression test..
The kit is gonna be ALOT cheaper than an engine overhaul that you didn't need.. You GOTTA FIND OUT the condition of the internals BEFORE ripping it apart.
Spending 2-3k & having the same problem, isn't the way to proceed..
Pull out a glow plug.. get the width & thread pitch.. compare THAT to the size & pitch of the GP adaptors in the compression tester kit..
It MAY OR MAY NOT have the correct one..
A compression tester is gonna be the least expensive and most useful tool you'll ever buy, for engine diagnostics..

 

[nepa]

After all that I have done, I also believe that the problem is insufficient compression to get good starting ignition. Before spending a lot of money I am going to try RESTORE in the oil and AMSOIL cetane booster in some fresh fuel. I'll pull it started again with the Kubota and let it run for a couple of hours. Are the valves on this engine adjustable? What is the cold gap? I guess that this should be checked before the run. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Valve lash is 0.014" cold on both intake and exhaust. I've never seen this get significantly (i.e. where it would cause starting/running) out of adjustment. These engines are notorious for losing compression due to cylinder/ring wear. That's the only real problem I've ever seen and I've seen and heard about it on many. Certainly do get a compression tester though. Well worth the money and time to use. The real problem is understanding if a reading of around 350 psig is good or bad. Spec calls for 450 psig IIRC. Definitely 250 psig or less will need attention. A leak down tester is another tool you can buy. I've read claims about compression testers not really giving you great data to go by but a leak down is better. My best indicator has been how well the engine is starting if all other systems are functioning correctly. Other than running out of fuel I've never seen pumps or injectors bad enough to cause problems (just my experience for these Mitsubishi engines). Glow plugs do need to be functioning and also during cranking, not just pre-heating.