2615 starting problems.

mrgoodwrenchman · Feb 18, 2007

I have a 2615 gear drive tractor that won't start unless the temperature is over forty degrees outside.
I am in North GA. where the temperature has been in the twentys in the mornings. Last weekend my tractor was losing power so I changed the fuel filter, after that it ran fine. This saturday with the temperature around thrity six degrees my tractor would not start, it would turn over ok but not start.

Is this normal and if so do I need a block heater?
If this is not normal do I have water in the fuel or some other problem. The fuel bowl is clear showing no signs of water. Do I need to be using a fuel additive?

My tractor has 142 hours on it with all services been preformed.

Thanks for any help

Butch

RAS323 · Feb 18, 2007

Butch
No that's not normal-And no you probably don't need a block heater. Adding some fuel conditioner would be a good idea every so often.

Have you been using the glow plugs? If not- that could be your problem in cold weather.

Just my $0.02.

AchingBack · Feb 18, 2007

Butch, I have been starting my 2615HST in temperatures well below 40 degrees. I agree Rick on the glow plug issue. Yours could be defective, or need more time to do its job.

mrgoodwrenchman · Feb 18, 2007

Rick and AchingBack
I always wait until the glow plug light goes out before starting the tractor.

Butch

DieselPower · Feb 18, 2007

I highly doubt it's a fuel gel problem or water in fuel freazing at that high a temperature. Like the others I would start by checking your glow plug system to make sure it is working.

wallace · Feb 18, 2007

Mahindra had a glow plug timer that only times for 3-5 seconds.
Up here in the Northeast that is no where near long enough to get the tractor started so they got us longer timers and new glowplugs.
The glow plugs now comes on for 15 seconds.
It is also good to run an additive in every diesel engine no matter the temp.

mrgoodwrenchman · Feb 18, 2007

Wallce

Are you saying that it is normal for my tractor not to start in cold weather because of the timing length on my glow plug system.. if that is the case will Mahindra upgrade my glow plugs so my tractor will start in cold weather.

Butch

wallace · Feb 18, 2007

The only way they will pay is if it is still under warranty.
This is not an update it is something that they have changed on their newer models.
I have tons of these out there I also own one myself, They were the 2015, 2615 and the 3015 that had the 5 sec timer.
I just cycle the glow plugs 5 or 6 time and I can get my 3015 started.

wallace · Feb 18, 2007

I had several customers ask why their tractor started so hard and I explained it to them and also the cost of new glowplugs and timers and no one seamed to want to spend the money they said they would just cycle the key.

clytle374 · Feb 19, 2007

We have a 2015 that had the same problem. The dealer installed the new longer timer, then had to replace the glow plugs two weeks later. All under warranty, I thought some one said there was a recall or service bulletin on it.
I'm not sure on a relationship between the timer and the plugs burning out.
Works good now.
Cory

wnymudd · Feb 19, 2007

I have a similar issue with starting but in much colder temps. I just hit the glow plug 3 times, then it starts. I also put deisel additive in. I started to lose power when it was real cold, but the additive solved that problem. Make sure you follow the recommended additive on the bottle. My question is can I hit the glow plug as much as some noted without doing damage to any thing in the engine? Still not sure what the glow plugs are actually doing in there. Warming the deisel right?

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Feb 19, 2007

Wnymudd
I thought the glow plugs had been changed on your tractor. If they have they should stay on at lease 10 seconds. The originals only stayed on about 2 seconds. The glow plugs warm up the cumbustion chamber so ignition in the chamber is easier to achieve. If they haven't been changed let Don or myself know and we will see that something gets done about it.

4FanTrashCan · Feb 19, 2007

Please keep the suggestions going.

Since I have owned my 2615HST (March, 2004) we have had problems starting every winter since. It's not terrible cold here in northwest Ohio, but regardless unless its 40 degrees or more, I usually end up having to jump the tractor off one of our trucks to get it going.

It won't start under its own power regardless of how many times I engage the glow plug prior to cranking. I also recently replaced the battery and also added a battery maintainer just in case.

I asked the local dealer about a block heater - at $200+ just for the heater, not installed, I'll pass.

Any other suggestion? Does something sound defective? Where exactly is the glow plug and can I feel around it to see if it's actually getting warm?

Anyone have any better info on a block heater? Which freeze plug would it go in? As asked earlier, are the magnetic ones a waist of money?

Thanks, any help is appreciated at this point.

Outlander · Feb 19, 2007

At least one of your GP's is bad. Pull the bus bar off and check for continuity between the threaded contacts and the block. Resistance should be negligible. (1 ohm). I had your same problem and found one bad plug. It now starts well below zero with no problem. If all three are not working you will have a difficult time starting when it's cold. NGK makes a replacement fo those I think.

wnymudd · Feb 19, 2007

Galen,
The timer on mine is the longer one, you are right. But it will not start as well if I only hit it once. This cold snap we have had I have been doing it 2-3times. It smokes and stutters for about 10 seconds barely running but then runs up to full set rpm. Don said he'd come check the glow plugs but I have working alot lately and haven't had him come by. I'd like to try the proceedure listed in the post above but I can't even tell you where the glow plugs are. I'm new to deisels!! Not afraid to turn a wrench though.

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Feb 19, 2007

Wnymudd,
The glow plugs are located on the top of the head on the Rt side. A wire is connected to the front one and a bar attaches the three glow plugs together. If you look at the Rt side of the engine you'll see them. Remove the wire and connecting bar and check each glow plug separately, as explained in the earlier post. Good luck with it.

UncleBuck01 · Feb 19, 2007

LAWALLSTRACTOR said:
Wnymudd,
The glow plugs are located on the top of the head on the Rt side. A wire is connected to the front one and a bar attaches the three glow plugs together. If you look at the Rt side of the engine you'll see them. Remove the wire and connecting bar and check each glow plug separately, as explained in the earlier post. Good luck with it.

Galen
Will you be at the NY Farm Show Mahindra Display this week ?
Buck

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Feb 20, 2007

Buck
I will be at the show on Thursday but I will not be working the booth. I usually spend the time brushing up on what the competition has to offer. If you are going to be at the show on Thursday call my cell phone 585-356-4917 and I would love to meet you there. Thanks for asking.

PBinWA · Feb 20, 2007

My three year old 2615 Gear usually needs 2 cycles on the glow plugs in really cold weather (below freezing). I run heavy on the Power Service in the winter when it gets cold and I make sure my Diesel isn't left over from the summer.

I think my battery is getting a little tired though and may change it out next winter.

I'd get your glow plugs checked out. My tractor starts no problem even at freezing. Of course, now I'm going to go outside and it won't start at all!

George2615 · Feb 20, 2007

4fantrashcan,
Since you consider the block heater expensive you can get an in-line lower hose heater at the auto parts store and install in the lower radiator hose. Cost is under $35. I use the KAT's model 14500. I did that with mine and makes for easy starts. I have it plugged into a HD timer that comes on about 4 hrs. before I need to start the tractor. I also cycle my glow plugs 3 or 4 times before cranking also in real cold weather.