Backhoe 1969 Case 580 CK

[briang0]

I'm a new owner of a 69 Case 580 CK. I have spent the last couple of weeks changing the fluids and filters. I drained the fuel tank and replaced all the fuel filters. Over the weekend I cleaned the air cleaner and re-filled the oil for it. The tractor has a brand new battery and a new starter and key switch. I went through all the connections on the starter and cleaned them as well as replacing all the connections on the key switch.

The tractor is very hard to start. especially after it has sat for a few days. I have to crank and crank it to get it started. After it starts it runs great. After it warms up it restarts great. I will say that when it is running it smokes, the smoke is grayish in color and when I step on the throttle it picks up great and the smoke turns black. I have quite a bite of experience working on gas engines but no real experience working on diesel engines.

Is there a starting procedure for the 580 CK? I just turn the key and crank it for 20 - 30 second periods and leave 60 to 90 seconds in between for the starter to cool down. I don't step on the throttle because it's fuel injected and I've always thought it wasn't needed. To stop the engine I pull the "choke" out. Am i missing something?

Does anyone have any suggestions on the starting issue? I there something I should be looking at to help with the the hard starting?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[finn1]

The machine is 51 years old, and likely has low compression due to worn piston rings and cylinder sleeves. Poor starting cold would be a sign of this, as low compression pressure equals low compression temperatures and poor auto ignition.

Likewise, your fuel system ie injectors and injection pump could probably use reconditioning.

You have to decide if you want a machine in tip top condition and are willing to pay the price, or if you can live with a well used, but serviceable, for homeowner use, older machine, with all its warts and bruises.

 

[Roadworthy]

If you've not done so, clean or replace the air filter. If the tractor has glow plugs they may not be functioning. Or you may not realize they're there. They make a BIG difference on cold starts, but so does adequate air.

 

[briang0]

I had the air filter out over the weekend I soaked it in diesel fuel and drained it a couple of times. It still looked a little black to me. I wasn't sure what color it was suppose to be. I do have some type of heater in the intake manifold. There is a solenoid on the engine and a heavy gauge wire going to it. I have a switch on the dash but it is inoperable at this time. To be honest I figured since it is summer it wasn't really needed. Would this make a difference? I think I can still get it part wise.

 

[mred2]

The tractor has a manifold heater, no glow plugs. Manifold heater may help in the winter, but could drain the battery fast. I thought that tractor had room for two batteries. I had a 680 ck and always kept starter fluid on hand to start the first time for the day. The last I started it the day I sold it, it had not been started for 3 years. Jumped it off, a littler starter fluid and it hit. Diesel in tank for over 3 years. You may also want to check if the fuel pump is working correctly. Mine had an electric fuel pump under the tractor. It was not hooked up when I got it. Injector pump worked great without it. I had a problem at one time with dirt in the hand pump. Good luck, these are tough old tractors.

 

[rScotty]

You can get a lot of use - thousands of hours - out of a worn commercial diesel engine. But just like an old anything, it appreciates a few advantages. If you are cranking that much you may want to go with a two battery system. I have that in my older 310. Two big old starter batteries cost me dear, but it starts immediatly in the winter.

You may want to put in new injectors or have the old ones spray tested. Injectors do wear and when they do they cause hard starting and sometimes cause the motor to run rough at full throttle. Grey smoke and rolling coal could be indicators of worn injectors. I dont know the Case 580 injector system like I do the 310, but someone near you probably does. Get some help on injectors the first time. After that you can do it. Sometimes it needs an injector puller. Not a big job, and one that can wait a while....but often makes a big difference in an old machine.

Is that thing on the intake manifold a manifold heater or a thermo-start? If it is just a heater it will just have a heavy wire from a solenoid going to it. If it is a thermo-start then it will have a lighter wire, a smaller solenoid, and also a little supplemental fuel line with a small half-cup diesel reservoir. Whatever style it is you can bet it is originally for cold weather starts. But just like old guys, an older engine will benefit from a heater to start even in warmer weather.

Does it have an engine block heater? I'm guessing it does have that too. Look on the side of the engine block for a 110v cord and plug right where a freeze plug would be. That's it. You can use that in the summer time too.

You might even replace the old clean air filter with a new one. New ones breathe easier.

Basically get all the old parts up to new condition to let it start as easy as it can. Then you can use it forever.
rScotty