thermo-start issues

[bazman82]

I did not test the new plug before installing nor did I test the old one yet. I assume I can use my battery charger to test it then(the old plugged)? 12v 40amp or 12v 10amp should do the trick or would 2amp be enough to power it? Everything I searched and read so far says about 30 seconds before the "poof" but I know with my older tractor, I have to hold it for almost a minute before anything and I don't always hear a poof either even after that long. I am thinking it is not getting the fuel but I'll test the plugs now. I have some smaller jumper cables I can use somewhere.

 

[DwayneB]

Those don't work very well. The ones that go on a coolant hose or in the actual water jacket of the engine do a marvelous job.

I have a Katz magnetic heater. The 300w version. Had it plugged in for 24 hours but didn't really help the actual start of the tractor. I used ether last night to get it going and it just didn't take as long to warm up from having the heater on. I think I would need 2 of them for the size of the tractor...

 

[bazman82]

Those don't work very well. The ones that go on a coolant hose or in the actual water jacket of the engine do a marvelous job.

I bought it last winter for my SAME mercury 75. I used it like twice before I finally had the extra time to figure out the preheater in that tractor. The thermostart in it didn't have power going to it and when I put power to it, it worked 1 time before it died. Once I put a new in there, no issues starting last winter, even in 0 degree weather without any other help or warming up.

 

[bazman82]

So i tested the old thermo-start and it doesnt work. I tested the new one while it is still installed in the manifold and nothing....I used jumper cables from the battery for testing. On the old plug I had the ground clamp on the part of the thermostart that screws into the manifold and the positive clamp where the wire goes. For the (new) installed thermostart, i just hooked the positive clamp where the wire goes. I removed the wire and let the clamp sit for at least 30 seconds(on each thermostart). No heat, no "poof".... I'm thinking I may remove the new thermostart this weekend and test it outside the tractor... I hope its not bad, it was expensive...

 

[thepumpguysc]

In your search for "thermo-start" plugs, did u happen to come across the FORD/Perkins plug.??
Compare sizes/threads.. I think u can get a Ford plug for around 50.00.??

 

[bazman82]

In your search for "thermo-start" plugs, did u happen to come across the FORD/Perkins plug.??
Compare sizes/threads.. I think u can get a Ford plug for around 50.00.??

Nope. I know it is metric and I have the old plug out now so I could take it somewhere and try to match it up.

 

[bazman82]

Since you said you were getting the volts, then the glow plug internal wire may be burned open whereby putting your DMM Ohm meter (function selected) across the hot terminal (one lead) and case (the other lead), (don't have to remove it to make this measurement, just undo the 12v wire) using the lowest Ohm scale....probably 200 Ohms....if good meter will read single digit Ohms, almost like when you touch the leads together on the Ohms scale and read your lead resistance....like 0.4 Ohms on my little HF meters. If you put your leads together and got the reading I mentioned, then put the leads across the glow plug as I said above and the meter doesn't read any resistance...just a blank screen, then the coil in the GP is open and it is defective.

Want more ask!

Well I most likely should have done this first but better late than never. It will be the next thing I try. I just need to find my free HF Ohm meter...

 

[bazman82]

So I finally used the Ohm meter to test the thermo-starts. I tested the old one, the new one that's installed on the tractor and also the one I have installed on my SAME (working one). I got nothing from the old and new thermo-start . I compared my results to the working thermo-start I have in the other tractor as well so I know everything was working as should and that I was testing it correctly. Looks like I'll be calling the dealer today to figure out return shipping and a possible replacement...

 

[Texasmark]

Im reading this as a smoking gun verified....new unit bad. When you get one that tests ok after you install it and hook it up to the tractor's fuel and power source, remove the input hose from the air filter and have somebody activate it (and keep it activated) while you look into the manifold and watch it function. The wire will glow red-orange for a bit, may take a minute, but should be working in about 30 seconds time line, and after it has been glowing solid for 30 seconds or so, diesel should start dripping down on the coil and as it hits the coil it ignites and the glowing balls fall to the bottom of the intake manifold. If you see that, you are good to go. Once you start rolling the engine the intake stroke will suck them into the combustion chamber.

 

[bazman82]

Ok, so i got an update. I received the new thermo start the other day and its a working unit. I installed it last night and itll heat up when directly connected to the battery but it will not heat up with when i turn the key on to the heat up position. Power is going to the thermo start when the heat up light is on and power cuts off when the heat up light goes out (about 30 secs). Any ideas anyone?