satoh beaver 1981 wont start

[aspire]

My son has a satoh beaver 4wl drive desiel tractor.It was running great.He was mowing and stopped for supper.After he started it up it ran briefly ,then died.Have not been able to start again.Any idea what could cause this.It turns over but will not fire up.
Thanks

 

[Dave M7040]

Sounds like it is not getting fuel and now likely has air in the injection system.
I suspect there is a mechanical lift pump on the side of the engine which delivers fuel to the filters and then the injection pump.
On some tractors having a full fuel tank will overcome the consequences of a failed lift pump as gravity will move fuel to the injection pump but as the fuel level drops below the level of the injection pump fuel flow stops and then turning the tractor over just pumps air into the high pressure injection system.
Find the lift pump. It likely has a hand lever to operate it. Loosen the fuel line at the filter and operate the hand lever on the lift pump to see if fuel is getting that far.
If it is, tighten that fitting and go to the line supplying fuel to the injection pump and see if you can get fuel to come out there.
Do this much and then report back and we can talk about bleeding air from the injection system
Dave M7040

 

[PILOON]

The Sotah diesel 4 x 4 is basically the same as my MT180D.

You probably need to bleed air. Simplest is probably to loosen the banjo fitting just B4 the injector pump until it fuel flows freely.
Attempt starting and if it does, great, if not I sometimes loosen one injector line at an injector and it then coughs, burps and runs rough soon to smooth run on all cyls.

 

[aspire]

Thank you for the info. He said there was a bleeder on the pump and he adjusted until fuel came out.Tried with no start. Loosened fuel line at the injectors and also got fuel. No start. Took off valve cover and checked cold valve clearance. Seemed as per engine spec. turned over engine and smoke came out of the valve pushrod galleries. The glow plugs were hot to the touch.

What could be wrong.


Would appreciate any feedback you may have. Thanks.

 

[aspire]

thanks for info on our problem. He bleed lines to the pump and after to the injectors. He removed valve cover and checked valve clearance cold. Turned over engine and smoke came out of the push rod galleries. Sounded like trying to start an engine with a spark plug out! Thank you for the insight.

 

[PILOON]

My Mitsu (same engine) even likes glow plugs in Sept/Oct.)
Ergo not greatest engine, I gather blowing hot air into intake helps, like using a hair drier or heat gun.
Might be something to try.
I found that in Aug I wanted to use glow plugs briefly as well.
Often I cycle the plugs maybe 3 times when cold even tho I have plugged in an hour or so B4 attempting a start.
ex: glow attempt start few secs, repeat, try again, repeat glow cycle and often need to do so 3 times in cold weather.
At -20/30c I pre heat about 1-2 hrs B4 using and at that 2 attempts are often needed.
My best friend is my remote controlled heater switch system.
Naturally a good battery is a good asset.

 

[aspire]

Have not been able to contact my son about using the hair dryer or preheating .With the valve cover off and cranking over , does smoke coming up from where the push rods sound normal?
thank you

 

[PILOON]

Have not been able to contact my son about using the hair dryer or preheating .With the valve cover off and cranking over , does smoke coming up from where the push rods sound normal?
thank you

I'd say no and would suspect worn exhaust valve guides . (some have O ring type seals).
Called blowby,

"Sounded like trying to start an engine with a spark plug out"
That is not a good sign, could be rings and extreme a damaged piston.
The actual test is a compression test however.
Hope nobody used either to start as that hurts small diesels , sometimes badly.

 

[aspire]

Thanks for the reply, Finally got to visit my son after long trip today . Tractor is still sick. He had the valve cover off and we turned it over after warming the glow plugs . Smoke came out of the exhaust and push rod openings. when he placed his hand over the end off the exhaust the smoke all came out through the push rod openings. We do not know what to connect a compression tester to to check compression. We were wondering if he blew a head gasket or broke a ring. Does that sound like a possible cause? Thanks for any input. He does not have a manual to help trouble shoot.