Starts hard when cold.

[Franklin]

Hi Folks...have a 1994 Mahindra 4110 that starts hard when it's cold. Use the glo-plug prior to start...cranks quite awhile...ten to fifteen seconds before starting. Starts quickly when warm. Ideas of what the problem might be?

 

[AchingBack]

On cold start up, does it smoke much when it finally starts? If so, it could be your glo plug timer, and or bad plug, or two, or three. It does sound like the timer though.

 

[Texan4Life]

yeah I would say something with the glow plugs

 

[civesnedfield]

Not sure where ya live but up here everything starts hard when its cold!!! Block heater will help.

 

[JerryK]

Your grid heater could not be cycling... or could be bad. Also, your injector pump might have what they call a KSB solenoid and timer. This solenoid comes on when the key is first turned on to advance the injector timing by raising the injector pump pressure a little for a short period of time to aid in starting. You should check your electrical prints to first see what your tractor has, then trouble shoot from there. My 5035 has a KSB, and I think it is common on a lot of Mahindras.

 

[Franklin]

Hi Folks...thanks to all that responded. We...my son and I...are going to replace the glow plugs first...seeing as it starts right up when it's warm. I live in the southern tip of Maine...near the coast...so it dosn't get super cold here.

 

[Texan4Life]

Hi Folks...thanks to all that responded. We...my son and I...are going to replace the glow plugs first...seeing as it starts right up when it's warm. I live in the southern tip of Maine...near the coast...so it dosn't get super cold here.

before you spend money on new glow plugs, you can test them with a multimeter. If it is a open circuit it is bad.

here is someone showing how on youtube: 7.3L GLOW PLUG TEST. - YouTube

It is the same on pretty much all diesels. you dont even have to remove the glow plug. for the ground just use good grounding point like the frame or neg bat terminal.

here is another way to test glow plugs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TcuJDd9Hho

 

[johnsonauto]

Does the glow plug light come on on the dash board? If no light, you need to check power to the glow plugs. If no power there is a fusible link in the harness above the battery that powers the glow circut. You can also test the glow plugs if you have power to them.

 

[Blue_Sky]

I would check the battery for charge. The cold weather can make them weak.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I have a somewhat similar problem with my Deere skid steer. However, mine starts on the first crank. I have to give it some throttle to keep running, it starts at around 1300 rpms then drops real fast to 500-800 rpms before climbing back up to 1300-1500 RPMs, wherever the throttle is set. I have had this problem for a while, my glow plugs do work so to help with cold starts I ordered a block heater and will be performing a service in the near future, it has about 175 hrs on the oil in it. My guess for your problem would be getting a block heater, the one for my Deere was only $78 so they aren't too spendy. :2cents:

 

[namus]

On my 2815 I cycle the glow plugs 2 times in cold weather. Helps a lot. Turn on switch, when glow plug light goes out, turn switch off, then back on again. When light goes out the second time, start it up.
namus

 

[3930dave]

Hi Folks...thanks to all that responded. We...my son and I...are going to replace the glow plugs first...seeing as it starts right up when it's warm. I live in the southern tip of Maine...near the coast...so it dosn't get super cold here.

Definitely test the glow plugs before pulling them out. Glow plugs can fail, but often it is something (relay or controller) that is not delivering power to the glow plugs that is the fault.

With a bit of bad luck, you can break a glow plug off in the head. Not fun to replace at that stage, and a double PITA if that turns out to not be the problem.

See if you can track down a schematic/wiring diagram. If you need help reading the schematic, post a scan here, or even a hand drawn sketch snapped with a cell phone camera. The circuit should be pretty straight forward, and somebody on here can help you troubleshoot the power flow to the glow plugs.

Rgds, D.

 

[Bubbanewf]

Doesnt need to be super cold to be hard starting. You are in Maine. What weight oil is in it?
try 10W30 or even 5W40 synthetic if not under warranty. Make sure the battery is charged up good so it turns over faster. Both of these things can cause the engine to turn over slowly and diesels need to compress the fuel to make it explode. There is no spark. The glow plugs just warm things up in the cylinder to give it a hand. Full synthetic oil can have a wider viscosity spread without consequence because it does not use added modifiers to get the higher viscosity number. With the thinner cold weather oil, there is much less resistance and better flow for startup. If it doesnt seem to turn over as fast as it does in warm weather after these changes, then maybe the battery is weak and needs replacing. After that, I would start looking at the glow plugs. Batteries get weak cells after a while. They still work in nice weather but they wont do the job in cold weather. If you can check the acid or take it to autozone and have them check it, it may save you some time.

 

[George2615]

If the OP's 4110 is like my 2615 was it is probably the glow plugs. Definitely test them first as they are quite pricey. First, remove the wire that connects to the glow plug buss bar on the engine, Connect a DC meter (red) to the wire and (black) to the motor block or battery ground, turn switch on to cycle glow plug timer and read voltage. If voltage (11-12V) is there for the duration of the glow plug timer cycle it is OK, then you need to check they plugs with an ohmmeter. Remove the buss bar that connects them together, then use the ohmmeter between the top of the plug and ground. You should get a resistance reading. If no reading (doesn't change) the plug is open (bad), if it goes to zero it is shorted (bad).

If all checks out good then it may be a fuel gelling problem if its cold (around 32 degrees or less) where you are requiring some fuel additive that prevents gelling.

My guess will be one or more bad glow plugs.