Engine not smoking nor combusting

[tractoroldhard]

I wanted to test to see if the injectors were bad or it was just not combusting but when I put
Starting fluid into the air filter hole no combustion happened no SMOKE at all
Its a MF 220 1980's
Its not a smooth spin when when the cylinders reach the top it becomes harder to pull and requires more effort to spin but then its free and repeats I'm assuming thats compression?

edit:
fuel is not getting through injectors but is receiving and I'm trying to take apart the injectors but even with a vise i have no luck to
take apart, any advice i can take fuel injectors off?

 

[Roadworthy]

It is NOT recommended to use starting fluid with a diesel tractor. Has this tractor ever run for you? You've given very little information and there are too many things to suggest without more information.

 

[ovrszd]

Actually, a lot of diesel engines come with an electrical system to inject starting fluid if needed.

I sometimes use ether to start my 1982 Ford if it's chilly and I didn't plug in the engine block heater.

Does the engine seem to have compression?? When turning it over with the starter can you tell each time a piston hits the compression stroke? Rumph, rumph, rumph. Or is it just flat and smooth as it turns?

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive only been told not to use starting fluid in a turbo diesel. Not sure if thats an old wives tale , but ive lived by it. But ive also heard that glow plugs can ignite starter fluid. Have no idea if any of this is true.

 

[Tinhack]

I sometimes use ether to start my 1982 Ford if it's chilly and I didn't plug in the engine block heater.

The last time I did that, I got loud BANG. Sounded like a shotgun going off. But mine has Thermostart. That heater could ignite the ether long before it gets to the cylinders. There's a chance you could blow the intake filter apart. My manual specifically says not to use ether.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I wanted to test to see if the injectors were bad or it was just not combusting but when I put
Starting fluid into the air filter hole no combustion happened no SMOKE at all

Don't use starting fluid. It can break piston rings and the piston lands. It was common to use on the older, low compression ratio diesels Modern diesels have starting aids (Thermostart intake heaters, block heater's, glow plugs) for cold weather starting. If you have a Thermostart system, using starting fluid can cause an explosion in the intake manifold.

We could use more info on your problem in order to help you. Why do you think your injectors are bad? If the tractor won't start, you may have a fuel delivery problem. That can be caused by any number of things like a plugged tank outlet, clogged fuel filter, pinched fuel line, failed lift pump, etc.

If the temperatures are below freezing and you have summer fuel in the tank, than fuel waxing can block the fuel flow. Bad injectors are way down on the list of things to check.

First make sure that your fuel delivery system is getting fuel to the injector pump (IP). Do you have an operator's manual?
Give us more info so we can help you.

 

[ovrszd]

The last time I did that, I got loud BANG. Sounded like a shotgun going off. But mine has Thermostart. That heater could ignite the ether long before it gets to the cylinders. There's a chance you could blow the intake filter apart. My manual specifically says not to use ether.

Yes, an owners manual for your Ford with thermostart is going to say not to use ether. And if it's working properly there's no need.

My thermostart doesn't work.

Your loud bang was the ether igniting in the intake manifold where the thermostart is located.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Loosen the lines AT THE INJECTORS and spin the engine.. watch for fuel to squirt out of the loosened lines..THAT will tell u if u have fuel TO the injectors..
If u wanna go a step further, pull an injector and hook it back up to the line outside of the engine and spin the engine to see if it’s popping the injector..
U don’t specify what engine or machine we’re trying to start.. they all have different procedures..

 

[tractoroldhard]

Actually, a lot of diesel engines come with an electrical system to inject starting fluid if needed.

I sometimes use ether to start my 1982 Ford if it's chilly and I didn't plug in the engine block heater.

Does the engine seem to have compression?? When turning it over with the starter can you tell each time a piston hits the compression stroke? Rumph, rumph, rumph. Or is it just flat and smooth as it turns?

Its a MF 220 1980's
Its not a smooth spin when when the cylinders reach the top it becomes harder to pull and requires more effort to spin but then its free and repeats I'm assuming thats compression?

 

[tractoroldhard]

The injectors are not getting fuel past them but its getting fuel to it, so I'm trying to clean them at the moment

 

[ovrszd]

Its a MF 220 1980's
Its not a smooth spin when when the cylinders reach the top it becomes harder to pull and requires more effort to spin but then its free and repeats I'm assuming thats compression?

Yes, perfect description if turning by hand. That confirms there is no mechanical internal issue such as the cam out of time!!!! Thanks for responding.

With that said, It should try to fire and run on ether. But let's discuss the administering of the ether.

ALWAYS spray ether to a rotating engine!!!! Usually spray into the air breather intake system. When doing that it will take a couple cylinder's compression to inhale the ether and have an effect. Be careful to not over spray ether. It can cause the engine to kick back and stop turning for a moment. This is because you "flooded" the intake system with ether and it ignited outside the cylinder with closed valves.

I've saw engines, gas and/or diesel run on a spray can of ether correctly administered by the mechanic. I'm still unsure why you can't get this engine to at least try to run. But then, I don't know how you are administering the ether.

Keep us updated. I'm very curious and hoping for success!!!

 

[tractoroldhard]

i sprayed it into the engine while it was spinning, but i didn't really get anything, how fast does it have to spin to combust something? Maybe starter motor is to weak to push the last bit of important compression

 

[tractoroldhard]

i sprayed it into the engine while it was spinning, but i didn't really get anything, how fast does it have to spin to combust something? Maybe starter motor is to weak to push the last bit of important compression

basically it few seconds fast spin then 1 second slow spin 2 second fast spin 1 second slow spin etc

 

[ovrszd]

i sprayed it into the engine while it was spinning, but i didn't really get anything, how fast does it have to spin to combust something? Maybe starter motor is to weak to push the last bit of important compression

That's possible. My Ford 555A TLB had that problem. Put on new starter and was fine.

 

[tractoroldhard]

That's possible. My Ford 555A TLB had that problem. Put on new starter and was fine.

no smoke either? or too weak

 

[ovrszd]

no smoke either? or too weak

Hmmm, trying to remember.... thinking no smoke sometimes, sometimes yes, no start.

 

[Dmacleo]

Loosen the lines AT THE INJECTORS and spin the engine.. watch for fuel to squirt out of the loosened lines..THAT will tell u if u have fuel TO the injectors..
If u wanna go a step further, pull an injector and hook it back up to the line outside of the engine and spin the engine to see if it’s popping the injector..
U don’t specify what engine or machine we’re trying to start.. they all have different procedures..

this.nuff said.
will also rule out electric fuel pump issue.