new member with yanmar problems

[stinson89]

First off hello to everyone one the site. I just Bought a new to me yanmar 1500D. I'm having trouble getting it to start in this cold weather. I bought it 2weeks ago and haven't had it running since I bought it. I put a brand new battery in it a few days ago but when i crank on it it seems like its not turning over fast enough for it to start, acts like a weak battery. I know the little glow plug thing in the air breather is workin because i can remove the cover turn the key to the left and watch it get red hot. What could the problem be, i just dont think its cranking fast enough and by the way the new battery is 700cca. Could there be a bad ground or weak starter or what. Hopefully someone can help me and i hope i didnt get burned on this thing. Cause like i said i cant get it running now, i hope i didnt waste $1,700 dollars on it.

 

[clemsonfor]

use the decomp lever as well

 

[Gunny]

Cold weather plays havoc with troubleshooting a starting problem, it's always much easier in warm weather.

First off, I'd make sure that the electrical connections (both ends of both cables, and the starter connection) have all been checked and cleaned, battery topped off with a fresh charge.

Where has it been sitting, outside, in an unheated building or a heated garage? If it's outside, put a tarp over it and get some heat under it to warm things up a bit. Even a 100 watt heat bulb will do wonders if you've got the tarp tucked down good. (Make sure you've got everything set where you don't start a fire!!)

Did you change the oil and filter after you got it? The oil could be thick enough to slow it down, especially if it's in an unheated area.

But Clemsonfor nailed the big one, all other things being right, the decomp will let the unloaded engine speed up enough and build up oil pressure that once you release it, the flywheel inertia will help get it started.

I can understand your frustration, I just bought another new to me tractor that is just sitting in the barn right now because it's too darn cold to get out there and start fooling with it. But spring will be here soon (I hope)

 

[clemsonfor]

do you have deisel fuel in the cup on top of the motor? thats suppose to drip down on to the "glowplug" which is know as thermostat since its not actually in the cylinder.

 

[careyo63]

On your battery cables. I had problems and heard quite a few people also miss the Ground to the Chassis. IMO. it's worth removing and cleaning it not just checking to see that it's tight. Or just the connection on the battery. I believe I replaced the Whole Neg. cable come to think about it. Never had a problem with a slow starter since. BTW I use to live on the OH. River just the other side from you. So I know how cold Ky. gets. Which is probably working against you without a doubt unless it's indoors. I learned to like PBR. and even RW&B
:drink:.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[California]

Since this thing is 30+ years old... if it cranks slow, go feel every connection point in the heavy 12v cable AND the ground circuit. It is very common to have a bad, corroded connection where a heavy wire meets the terminal at the end of that wire even when the wire and terminal assembly looks pristine. Power will be lost as heat at the corroded point, as a clue to replace that cable.

 

[careyo63]

:rainbow:

 

[Barry 1]

Speaking of cold,did you check the antifreeze?You can't run more than 25% in the summer or it will overheat.People forget to put 50/50 in for winter and it's supposed to be below zero the next 2 nights.

 

[stinson89]

I put 5050 antifreeze in it. I have been trying to get it to start all day now and it will not start for anything. Im barely getting puffs of white smoke when trying to start it and the decompression lever doesn't help any. I dont get it i just had it running 3 days ago. I need to get it running in a hurry so i can move some firewood

 

[normde2001]

Your battery loses approx. 1/2 it's amperage in freezing weather, so you need the biggest CCA battery that will fit. The battery must have at least 12.4 volts and maintain about 9.5 volts when cranking. If you do not have a volt/ohm meter you will need one to successfully maintain your tractor. Are you aware you must start with wide open throttle?

 

[careyo63]

Even if you use a Volt Meter and it shows 12V. doesn't mean the battery is good. If it was mine all the Battery connection are clean Id
swap it out. If you can't do that have it tested at a local Auto parts store. My bet still that's it's bad. I've had them go out when I stoped to get gas and my Truck wouldn't even jump off. New Better and called the Wifey to bring me a new battery and it's still in my truck today.

 

[kenmac]

You can put a volt meter on the battery as someone turns it over .. You will be able to see how much voltage drop you have... With the decompression lever pulled or turned (how ever yours operates) the engine should turn over very rapidly ,because you will have no compression for the motor to be turning against. If it doesn't turn over real easy with the de compression engaged ,, something is not right... 15W 40 oil should be in the engine.. In the winter 15w40 oil is thick..I have 850 CCA battery.. When it's cold out I have a tough time getting my 3110 to start..If you have a way to warm the engine block (flood light etc,) will make a big difference

 

[careyo63]

It's the CCA-Cold Cranking Amps. Not Volts. That's What you need to get check. It may show 12+V just like I said. But if the AMPS are weak that could be the Problem. It ran a couple of days ago so Oil is doubtful. Maybe anything is Possible.

 

[kenmac]

But, If it goes from 12 v to 5 v when he tries to start it. It ain't going to have many CCA..Just replaced the batt in my boat..800 CCA.. When I tried to start with old batt. the boat , voltage would drop to 9 v hardly turn over.. So, if he ain't got 12 v it ain't going to turn over well,because he isn't going to have xxx CCA either

 

[stinson89]

I went down to my work earlier today and got a jump box and hooked it up to the tractor and i still could not get the tractor to start. Its seems to turn over fine until the compression is engaged back in then it seems like it cranks really slow. While cranking i have very little puffs of white smoke coming out of the exhaust. But nothing else happens. Could it just be so cold that it wont start, the temps in northern Kentucky have been single digits at night and teens during the day. But like i said earlier i had it running a few days ago. Im going to try this weekend when i have more time to wrap it in a tarp and put a heater under it. I have no idea what the problem could be with this thing ive only owned gas tractors before this one so this is my first diesel. So i would appreciate any help i can get. Also one thing I forgot to mention was i noticed when i was cranking on it was one of the wires tied in with the positive wire coming off the battery to the starter got red hot and smelled like it was burning could it be a bad positive wire

 

[silvertramp]

Cables can corrode under the insulation. I had one catch fire while jumping a tractor

 

[kenmac]

You are going to have to warm the block up.With a heat lamp or by some other method. Or wait till it warms up. While you are cranking ,don't stop and push the decomp back in .Push it back in while the engine is still turning over. The red wire will get hot if you continue to crank on the engine.. I have melted the insulation off mine B-4.. My diesel truck has a hard time starting with 2 batteries and an intake heater, if I leave the truck out, and it gets in the teens

 

[Scotty Dive]

Any chance you removed or placed the fuel filter and didn't bleed the fuels system?

 

[damammel]

I have a 1500D also. Kenmac is right. You need to warm the block. I have used a bullet heater before to warm it up. I have managed to install a lower hose heater on it. If I plug it in for a while the tractor will start right up like its a summer day. The next thing I would suggest for the tractor is gauges. But that's just me.