Big Red Smoker hard to start

_DX3_ · #1 10-18-2011, 05:37 PM

Ok Diesel guys, I have a problem. I mowed this past Saturday with the Smoker and had no problems at all. I cleaned it up with air like always and started and parked it in the shop.

Went out yesterday to move it out of the way so I could do some work on the 73 and all it would do was crank and puff out smoke. A couple of times it would almost hit like it was going to start then just go back to cranking and puffing. I let the battery charge up and tried it again over the course of the next couple of hours. Same thing, crank puff smoke, sound like it was going to start a time or two then go back to just cranking. Finally before I was going to give up and head back into the house, I tried it again, and this time it fired right up. I moved it outside and let it run at 3/4 throttle for maybe 20 minutes then shut it off while I proceeded to power wash the 73 frame. After I was done I put everything up, sat on the tractor and it fired right up no problem.

Today I went out to do a bit more work on the 73 and thought I would check the diesel and see if it would start. The batter tender had been plugged up all night and showed battery was charged. I turned the key as usual and ran the glow plugs for 15 seconds. Turned the key the other way and it cranked and puffed, and sounded like it wanted to hit a time or two then just started cranking with smoke still puffing out the exhaust. Could not get it to start.

Any ideas of what I need to check? It seems to be getting fuel, I haven't checked yet to see if the glow plugs are being engaged. It has the glow plug upgrade so checking the solenoid should be easy. Just thought I would see if anyone else has had a problem like this?

Thanks

Vince_o · #2 10-18-2011, 06:28 PM

What color is the smoke?

Are you sure your not sucking air somewhere?

Are all of the injectors firing?

Did you try heating for 30 sec?

Compression? And yes you have it, but enough?

I wouldnt think, but injection pump not firing at the right time?

Machanical diesels are hard to screw up.

aagitch · #3 10-18-2011, 07:03 PM

I'd check to see if there's a loose connection or something with the glow plugs. Maybe one or more isn't heating up for you. Or maybe the solenoid for the glow plugs went bad. Sounds like it's getting fuel ok.

_DX3_ · #4 10-18-2011, 07:13 PM

Vince the smoke is greyish to dark grey. I don't think it is sucking air, due to the fact it runs great when it starts. I am thinking the same as Adrian I may have an issue with the glow plugs not heating up. I didn't try 30 seconds on the glow plugs. I'll get out the meter and check the solenoid and each connection at the glow plugs. I didn't realize how much vibration that thing puts out till I noticed the stainless exhaust pipe was moving around and thought the clamp had gotten loose again. Well I made about a 1/4 turn of the first clamp nut and crack, the clamp threads and nut broke off. Of course I guess there may have been a stress crack to begin with, LOL.

gcbailey · #5 10-18-2011, 07:14 PM

Dwayne.... you better bring it over to my place for a few years... I know nothing about diesels so I'll have to keep it as a test bed, so that may take a few additional years.

ajcombs · #6 10-18-2011, 07:29 PM

It's wore out I'll come take it to the junk pile!

good luck by the way!

_DX3_ · #7 10-18-2011, 07:33 PM

Dang, such great guys we have here at OCC, so willing to help out the less fortunate...

Vince_o · #8 10-18-2011, 08:25 PM

The reason I said 30 sec, is that Ive noticed in mine with the change in ambiant temp, I know have to heat mine a bit longer, like 15 sec. All summer long I just had to touch mine 5 sec, starts right up.

I can remember when I stripped coal in western pa, some times Id heat the engs on our 777 for half a cigerete. Still didnt want to start it was so cold. But thanks to global warming, and more techonlagy, those engs dont have to be heated so long!

Oak · #9 10-18-2011, 08:52 PM

Dwayne, I would check and make sure you are getting 12 volts at the plugs like you said. Can you hear the fuel pump running and is the screen in the tank shut off clean? Do you think it could be the starter or battery getting week? Good luck and keep us posted.

_DX3_ · #10 10-18-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak

Dwayne, I would check and make sure you are getting 12 volts at the plugs like you said. Can you hear the fuel pump running and is the screen in the tank shut off clean? Do you think it could be the starter or battery getting week? Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes the fuel pump is clicking along good. I may need to check the screen. I also have a feeling the battery may be getting weak, as it does not take long at all for the cranking sound to slow down a bit. What has me confused is how it will want to hit and start for a couple of revolutions then just go back to cranking and puffing. That is what makes me wonder about the glow plugs. Are solenoid's pretty sturdy around heat and vibrations, or are they a bit on the weak side when subjected to heat and vibrations?