Got her started! L245DT

[John RHR]

Hey All -

Wow, finally got her started! My FIL has been tinkering, and so I've replaced the left rear tire. FIL straightened the rim. We pulled the bucket off as well as the hood, so that things would be easier to get to.... All of the wiring and dash are spagetti.....

Anyway, I got most of the wiring hooked back up, and got her started, after some fits, with some starting fluid. The engine has miss when its cold, but it does finally kick in.

I am not sure if my glow plugs are working. I know the dash indicator is burned out. I checked the individual glow plugs and they all checked at 1.5 ohms, which is spec. On the wiring diagram, it shows a "glow plug controller" but I sure don't see one - the only relay I see is the voltage regulator under the dash. The plugs don't feel warm, even though I hold it in preheat for 30-40 secs.

'Nuther question. When the engine starts, I have a miss in cyl #3. It runs rough until it warms up, but does start to fire, eratically, and then starts to run okay. I cracked the injection lines and it is def #3 cyl. The engine hasn't been run in years, so I am hoping I can run some fuel treatment and an oil change to perhaps clean things up. Barring that, I'm assuming I'd need to replace the injector - but my question is should I replace all three? The engine runs okay, but it does have 2100 hrs on it.

That's the view from here..... any remarks and insights are welcome

Thank you,

John

 

[85Hokie]

First of all - glad you got her started!

But I would stay away from the starting fluid.....I know people used it forevvvvver......just not good in a Diesel, the real mechanics will tell you, it is a no-no!

AS for the injectors.....if you "fix" one - then you ought to go ahead and fix the others too.

As for the glow plugs....if the dash indicator is out - so too could the glow plugs - they are all wired together, and once one goes south, it messes up the total resistance of the circuit.

If you have not drained the tank - do so, and then add some fresh diesel, I have been using this product for a while and swear by it.

http://www.xtremediesel.com/XDP-Diesel-Power-Plus-Fuel-Additive-XDDPP116.aspx

The engine makes a noise that is smoooother than a typical diesel sound.

 

[Diydave]

Its not that starting fluid isn't good for a diesel, its asian diesels, have thinner piston tops. If you keep using ether in an asian diesel, you might find your piston tops sitting in the bottom of the oil pan...

 

[Cinderella of the fleet]

Maybe a compression test , I had a gas engine with stuck rings , would run on 7 until it warmed a little and then #8 would kick in.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Second, and third.
Don't use any more starting fluid, these motors can become junk real fast from using that.

Your glow plugs are not working because the indicator is part of the circuit, if it's dead the rest of the circuit is dead.
You need the glow plugs to get it to start correctly.

Now as far as the third cylinder not firing, do check the compression, 325 lowest to 450 standard.
Causes of low compression, blown head gasket, leaking valves (could be damage or maladjustment), stuck rings, or other damage.

If the compression is good, then it's the injector or injection pump.
Swap the injector to another Piston if the miss follows the injector it's bad, and yes replace all of them at the same time, if it says with the original missing piston then it's the injection pump, you will need to get it rebuilt.
I do not recommend that you attempt to do that yourself as it's take special skill and tools to do it right.

 

[Ramos]

Starting fluid is great stuff. We buy it by the pallet here at work and sell it by the case. Very effective as an evaporating parts/tool cleaner. Sure wouldn't use it to start an engine, though. If you need to use it for starting, find the problem and fix it instead. Your engine will thank you.

 

[John RHR]

Thanks all for the advice.... Got a related question. I don't know how much blow by is normal, but I've got a fair amount coming out of the breather. I am wondering if I might have stuck piston rings - I know for a fact that the engine hadn't been run in at least three years. The tractor sat outside, covered, but still..

I was advised against using the engine flush you put in the oil. Any recommendations for nostrums or other operational elements that might help clean up anything that might be impairing the rings?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Good oil and run it for a bit, Also if you do a compression test that will tell you if your in need of a rebuild.

 

[thedevilyoulove]

My only comment is that this is awesome, and where are the pics of this beast?