2018 2025R Glow Plugs

[jsb2b]

I have a 2018 2025R that starts with a cloud of blue/white smoke and rough idles for about 5 seconds with one final puff of smoke. This started around 25 hours. I added Sea Foam figuring bad fuel or dirty injector but it still does it at 31 hours. I even cycled the ignition switch 3 times to get 15 seconds of glow plug heat. Not much difference. I want to test the 3 glow plugs but I'll be damned if I can get to the nut on top of each glow plug. Anyone have an idea or can post the service manual page? Much appreciated.

 

[beenthere]

Glow plugs? Are you sure, or do you have a heating intake element ?

Ok, looked at jdparts and you do have the glow plugs..

 

[ruffdog]

•Glow plugs on the 2025R provide quick starts in temperatures down to 0° F. (Optional engine coolant heater attachment will assist starting under more extreme conditions.)
•Air intake heater cold starting aid on the 2032R provides quick starts in temperatures down to
0° F. (Optional engine coolant heater attachment will assist starting under more extreme conditions.)

2 Family Compact Utility Tractors | 225R | John Deere US

 

[jsb2b]

So the dealer picked up my 2018 2025R with 34 hours on it. He said that all new 1 series and 2 series smoke on cold startup. I can't believe this is "normal". I haven't seen any complaints on this forum. Does anyone here have a 1 series or 2 series that looks like a mosquito fogger for several seconds on cold (in 45 degree garage) start?????

 

[kennyd]

There are compliants on the G T T forum about it....

Welcome to teir 4 emissions.

 

[dodge man]

I've got about 6 hours on my 2025R and yes, it smokes for a few seconds on a cold start. Doesn't matter if I use the glow plugs or not. It starts easy enough though. I also notice a high idle speed, at little over 1500 rpm. I'm not sure if that is part of the emissions or because a 3 cylinder idles rough at a slower RPM.

 

[jsb2b]

There are compliants on the G T T forum about it....

Welcome to teir 4 emissions.

Found the threads on GTT. Discouraging. The before Rom Flash and after Rom Flash videos of the startup smoke reduction were remarkable but that was a 1025 in 2013... Me thinks I'm going to see what the dealer comes up with...

 

[dodge man]

I guess my question is does it hurt anything? I'd say no.

 

[atsah]

My GC Massey does the same thing, my 2305 and my neighbors 2305 does it also, it's normal..

These little tractors smoke a little un burnt fuel at startup, Indirect injected smoke a tad more than direct injected from my own personal experience with my own direct and indirect injected engines.

 

[jsb2b]

Well, if you don't mind the attached garage smelling like diesel... Posted a video...
2025R Smoke 20181221 - YouTube

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Looked at the video, I gotta say that looked completely normal to me.

My Branson starts exactly like that, now that I've deleted the exhaust filter. Before, with the filter on, all that would just go into the filter and not exit the pipe (which I think is part of the issue with it clogging the filter regularly).

 

[atsah]

Looked at the video, I gotta say that looked completely normal to me.

Yup I agree, mine tractors do the same..

 

[beenthere]

From the video, sounds like it is only hitting on one cylinder at start-up. As the other two kick in, the smoke goes away..

But thinking there will be no smoke isn't realistic. IMO

 

[bigtiller]

My 2720 parked in a 42 degree garage smokes a little at startup also. I wouldn't be concerned about it.

 

[atsah]

To me the amount of time the glow plugs light isn't enough, I know there is a timer but it's not enough. After sitting for two weeks my tractor needs 30 seconds to run on all three.

OP, cycle the plugs three times and see what happens.. I know you said you did that already but post a video of it so we see the difference.

These little 3 cyl's smoke a little on startup.

 

[dodge man]

It looks just like mine.

 

[atsah]

Mine will give a puff every time I start it in the middle summer. I have read lots threads about this, it's what they do.

 

[topstoy]

Very normal for a cold start. Get a block heater for the cold weather and it will start like it is already warmed up. I agree, the glow plug timer is too fast. Seems like it should be on for at least 20-30 seconds. But even with the glow plugs hot, there is still a normal smoke trail like yours on start-up unless I am using the block heater, which I do all winter long. I have it on a timer and it comes on at 7am and turns off at noon. If I am going to use the tractor for the day, it is normally in the morning. The timer saves on your power bill.

 

[jsb2b]

When the Tech picked up the tractor, I asked him if 5 seconds was enough since my 2305 was 15 seconds. He said the 2305 was not a direct injection Tier 4 engine. He then cycled the timer 3 times with the key and started it on the 4th cycle for a total of 20 seconds and it started just like in the video. So, from what many replies say, I guess that amount of smoke is normal for a Tier 4 engine in a 45 degree heated garage. I'd hate to see it start at below freezing. My 2305 never smoked more than a puff for the 14 years I had it in the garage but it didn't have a Tier 4 engine. It doesn't seem very "Clean Air" friendly but I suppose after it's warmed up it is. Yanmar probably "qualified" the engines on a 80 degree demonstration day for the EPA...

I'm now wondering if raising the Cetane level would help. I read somewhere 45 - 50 was good for cold weather starts and I never read the diesel pump at the gas station for their level. Will have to stop by my local Kwik-fill to see.

Now I hope the dealer doesn't keep it until it gets to 70 degrees so he can show me they "fixed" it...

 

[atsah]

I add cetane to my fuel year round it makes no difference in the way it starts or the amount of smoke that comes out of it.