TU 1700 Hard to Start

[lens12]

Installing a glow plug heater isn't hard. Drive one end of freeze plug in with a punch, the other end will pivot out. Pull it out with a pliers. The heater fits in the hole & usually is tightened with a screw. I supply manuals & parts. If your resistor is glowing the glow plugs should be working.

 

[lens12]

A plugged fuel filter or gelled fuel can cause hard starting, but wouldn't cause over heating. What was the sign of overheating?

 

[gilbertmsg]

When I got back to the house, I could see steam coming out of the overflow on the radiator. I guess the theromstat could be stuck but after starting when cool, I removed cap and anitfreeze was flowing in radiator. I'm in the military and out of town for the next two weeks, when I return I will contact you for some parts. Thanks

 

[dqdave1]

Time to change the thermostat and the fuel filter. then add some deisel conditioner to fuel. You may want to switch to 0w- 30 synthetic oil. Makes starting in cold weather easier. Does it sit outside? cover it with a tarp. Block heater is nice to have.

 

[gilbertmsg]

Thanks for the tips, I will change the fuel filter and oil. The tractor stays in a non heated garage (40-50 degrees). Hope all this works, I looked long and hard for the proper tractor for my use. Will also change thermostat too.

 

[dqdave1]

It is possible that there was an air pocket in block/radiator which caused it to overheat. If it is in a 50 degree garage; it should start with no problem. glow plugs for short time ( whatever manual says) and then start. Gelled fuel should not be an issue at that temp either. But get some fuel conditioner that removes water and cleans system and add it to every tank of fuel. Don't forget that you may have to bleed the fuel system after changing filter.

 

[gilbertmsg]

I'm going to change the oil, filter and thermostat when I return home. I'm not sure how long the fuel has been in this tractor, but the man I purchased it from had installed new fuel lines. So that would make me think he had put in new fuel. I have mixed 50% diesel & 50% kerosene, I read this would help a hard starter. This tractor starts fine after it is warm, so it still makes me think that some how the glow plugs are not working properly even though the resister is turning red. I'm also going to install a block heater to try to raise the temp a few degrees. I will post the outcome.

 

[EFC]

The reason I said fuel filter is you said "all of a sudden it lost power, started skipping and cut off." That is indicative of a clogged fuel filter especially when after a few minutes the engine restarts.
If it is cold outside and you are overheating and it is hard to start even on glow plugs you could have a bad head gasket and the steam you saw coming out is combustion pressure.

Buck

 

[gilbertmsg]

Changed fuel filter, bled system a couple times to get fuel back in system. Changed oil and filter, pulled small metal mat for about 45 in pasture to break up horse poop and could tell loss of power. Checked, and it was hot. After it cooled, removed hose from block. This tractor has no thermostat. Checked fan and belts, there ok. I'm going to flush radiator, if that doesn't work, going to radiator shop and have it dipped. Last going to have water pump rebuilt. Any other tips? No water or antifreeze in oil. Looks like I have purchased a mechanics special, but learning daily. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lens12]

If water pump spins freely & doesn't leak , it shouldn't need rebuilding. There is a tendency for these tractors to have dirty radiators. Having it internally cleaned is a good choice, Blow head gasket as mentioned earlier is also a possibility.