Strange problem with tractor

2pack

got a old 3 cylinder tractor that will turns over and over for awhile before it starts and when it eventually starts it runs for minute and then cuts out again.
you will think at this stage once you had it started it would start immediately again but have to turn it over for the same amount of time again before it starts again but once it does start it runs perfectly for rest of the day.

this is very annoying so can anyone help

Ta

O.A.P

It sounds like a fuel problem to me but its funny that it works fine the second time. You have proberly tried all the obvious places but if not check that the fuel filter is tight and properly sealed.

2pack

once started 2nd time or so and can keep her going its grand from then on, its the next morning when i try to start it again does it happen like this

Ford4000

Do the usual stuff change filters, clean tank gauze and pump gauze, blow out the lines etc, i would suspect its the lift pump on the way out ! Has it ben doing this long or has this change happened suddenly?

Figerty

I have Massey 35x and it does something similar when the diesel lines get dirty, usually the pipe coming out of the tank. Should be easy cleaned. Your one might be just on the border line of blockage and when it gets going the tractor is just about able to pull the diesel in. She is like a new tractor when it get cleaned out!

Could be the filters need changing.

Start with the simple thing like cleaning the lines first.

You are going to be 'sucking diesel' to sort this one out!

corkcomp

what you are describing is most likely the result of low compression on one or more cylinders.... People normally suspect fuel issues but if there was blocked filters or faulty lift pump it wouldnt keep running well when hot.

TPM

not really into tractors but seen the exact same thing in cars caused by air leaking into the fuel system resulting in all the fuel draining out of fuel lines filters etc. over night. The next morning the engine has to turn over untill the pump fills everything back up again

2pack

ok I tried to start it this morning and its churned and churned for minute or two before it started, then has an uneven idle for 20 seconds or so and cuts out.

Then i try for another while to start it again and does eventually start up and then runs fine.

I then used it for an half hour, turned her off and come back 10 minutes later and started first time.

My starter is on the way out now too as i turn it over it starts to buzz after a few seconds

thanks

Figerty

Think Corkcomp may well be right on this, especially as it started when hot.

I remember a tip in a Tractor magazine saying walk away from and old tractor that is warm. Owner is trying to hide a bad engine.

You can pull start virtually any old engine and once hot, it will start.

2pack

ok so what would my little tractor need to fix this problem then

corkcomp

does it churn out lots of white smoke when it's turning over? a set of pistons / rings / liners and maybe re condition injectors should sort you out. if you need to let it as it for now I would buy a brand new starter, they are way more tolerant to prolonged cranking.. the other one would probably be the same in 6 months if you get it re-built.

TPM

corkcomp is probably correct but just confirm that the diesel hasnt drained back to the tanks over night, just on the off chance

2pack

corkcomp wrote: »

does it churn out lots of white smoke when it's turning over? a set of pistons / rings / liners and maybe re condition injectors should sort you out. if you need to let it as it for now I would buy a brand new starter, they are way more tolerant to prolonged cranking.. the other one would probably be the same in 6 months if you get it re-built.

ok roughly how much would it cost to carry out this work

2pack

hi, also i see there is no heater plug on this tractor, would it be a good idea to fit one

thanks

corkcomp

2pack wrote: »

hi, also i see there is no heater plug on this tractor, would it be a good idea to fit one

thanks

YES, start with that:D If you want to do a simple DIY test for engine wear (engines can till operate with some wear if you can get it started using heat) let the tractor heat up fully and maybe do some work with it and see how much, if any vapour it's letting out the breather pipe, also take off the oil filler cap with engine running and see if it spits any oil out or if there is a lot of blow.

jimmyw

2pack wrote: »

hi, also i see there is no heater plug on this tractor, would it be a good idea to fit one

thanks

corkcomp wrote: »

YES, start with that:D If you want to do a simple DIY test for engine wear (engines can till operate with some wear if you can get it started using heat) let the tractor heat up fully and maybe do some work with it and see how much, if any vapour it's letting out the breather pipe, also take off the oil filler cap with engine running and see if it spits any oil out or if there is a lot of blow.

I initially thought that too, but as it was running then, I though that's not the problem.Bad Glow plugs usually only make it hard to start or not at all, but when it is running and warmish its fine.If its meant to have it/them, then it/they should be working.

What type of tractor is it anyway out of interest?

2pack

its a same explorer,
started up the tractor and took oil cap off and there is a bit of a blow but not that bad and no oil is spitting out at all

jimmyw

When the engine is warm it should still be starting if it was a problem with the glow plug or lack of heat when cold, so I would guess that its a fuel related issue such as air in the system or a problem with the injector pump or lift pump.

Is there a place for a glow plug or is there a one already there but its not working?If there is not any there, then there should be no point in fitting one.


Here is a Same Centurion that was left in a Gaa pitch up to last year.