Hard starting in cold weather

[Mike Ingle]

My 2021 BX1880 starts rough in 32 degrees. I didn’t turn the key all the way for about 15 seconds. Coughing with black smoke. Is that normal?

 

[kubotafreak]

Yes, I would suggest hitting the glow plugs once more(off on) and then try starting. A little winter anti-gel in the cold season helps too. The best is a block heater... but unless your consistently using the machine in sub 32 weather its not necessary.

 

[imnukensc]

Did you turn the key far enough that the glow plugs were actually energized for 15 seconds? Not asking to be a jerk, but there was a post on here previously where a fellow just turned the key on, but never had it in the position where the glow plugs were energized. If you did have the glow plugs energized, then hold it for 30 seconds. If it still coughs black smoke and is hard to start, then that's not normal.

 

[Roadworthy]

Black smoke frequently indicates a too rich mixture. This can be caused by a restriction in the air passage - frequently a dirty air filter. Of course if it's too dirty you won't get any smoke but the engine won't start either.

 

[BruceP]

I would expect WHITE smoke when starting.... where do you have the throttle set?

Also... I agree with others that there is no harm in 'glowing' several times in colder ambient temperatures.

 

[pokey1416]

Put a battery maintainer in. Won’t help with the smoke color issue but sure turns over easy. After she starts bump the throttle up to 1500 RPM while she warms up.

 

[armylifer]

I would expect WHITE smoke when starting.... where do you have the throttle set?

Also... I agree with others that there is no harm in 'glowing' several times in colder ambient temperatures.

White smoke while starting is not normal White smoke indicates unburned fuel and/or bad glow plugs if you tried using them to start. This is especially true in cold weather. The black smoke the OP mentions is perfectly normal in the scenario he described.

 

[lugbolt]

still got summer fuel in it?

 

[SDT]

White smoke while starting is not normal White smoke indicates unburned fuel and/or bad glow plugs if you tried using them to start. This is especially true in cold weather. The black smoke the OP mentions is perfectly normal in the scenario he described.

Bingo on both scores.

SDT

 

[nbryan]

My 2021 BX1880 starts rough in 32 degrees. I didn’t turn the key all the way for about 15 seconds. Coughing with black smoke. Is that normal?

Yes. Just make sure the glow plugs are indicating for that 15 seconds and a puff of black smoke and a shudder or two are normal.

You are also running a not yet broken in engine. After a few hundred hours mine seemed to start cleaner.

I use a maintenance dose of Seafoam in my tractor fuel.

And set the idle speed to the 1200-1300 rpm range when shutting it down warmed up when putting away, so it's at that strong idle when it gets started cold the next day.

 

[leveraddict]

Well maybe Im doing it wrong but mine starts right up every time. First off even just below 32 degrees I only hold the glow plugs on for a 5 count never 15 or 30 seconds, and my throttle is all the way down when starting and shutting it off. Maybe your holding the glow plugs on too long?

 

[Mike Ingle]

Did you turn the key far enough that the glow plugs were actually energized for 15 seconds? Not asking to be a jerk, but there was a post on here previously where a fellow just turned the key on, but never had it in the position where the glow plugs were energized. If you did have the glow plugs energized, then hold it for 30 seconds. If it still coughs black smoke and is hard to start, then that's not normal.

sounds like I just need to hold the key a little longer. Thanks a ton

 

[DustyRusty]

Well maybe Im doing it wrong but mine starts right up every time. First off even just below 32 degrees I only hold the glow plugs on for a 5 count never 15 or 30 seconds, and my throttle is all the way down when starting and shutting it off. Maybe your holding the glow plugs on too long?

In theory, you can't hold the glow plugs too long. Holding the glow plugs on will warm the cylinders, and at 32 degrees, for the most part, you will not change the temperature of the metal by mutch but is heating the air inside the chamber to allow the fuel to ignite. I believe that the length of time that the glow plugs are engaged is dependent on how long you hold the position of the key in the glow position, at least on the BX.

 

[nbryan]

Well maybe Im doing it wrong but mine starts right up every time. First off even just below 32 degrees I only hold the glow plugs on for a 5 count never 15 or 30 seconds, and my throttle is all the way down when starting and shutting it off. Maybe your holding the glow plugs on too long?

My manual recommends starting and warming my B2650 it at a "strong idle". So that's what I do, not at minimum idle.

 

[leveraddict]

My manual recommends starting and warming my B2650 it at a "strong idle". So that's what I do, not at minimum idle.

Interesting. Im still learning. I only have the itty bity model!

 

[Ikc1990]

My older b 2710 likes 10 seconds of glow plug but If 25 or lower 15 to 20 seconds and below 0 30 seconds and or block heater. But warm or cold out black puff, my duramax same way on puff or 2 of black smoke. And the kubota even if 50 deg or warmer likes a few seconds of glow plug or starts slower

 

[Bmyers]

I'm spoiled. I turn on my key, the digital display comes up with the glow plug icon, wait for it to go off, then start. I let it idle around 1500-1800 and wait five minutes and then off we go.