B2320 - Hard cold start

[Normal Bill]

Little orange machine started really hard today.
It's about 10 degrees outside.
Battery is new.

I've never experienced a hard start before but it's a 2010 tractor so it's not new.

In the past it started easily: glow plug, cranked, always started first try

Today: glow plug, cranked & cranked, glow plug, cranked & cranked, glowplug, cranked and started.

It's possible I didn't hold the glow plug on long enough at first. I haven't started it in this kind of cold in a while. We didn't have much snow last year so there was no need to.

I like to fix things before they break if that makes sense.

I've stayed on top of all maintenance.

Is it common for a 16 year old tractor to need a new glow plug? Anything else that I should consider replacing?
Anything else I should keep an eye on?

Hopefully it starts okay tomorrow and Monday after the snow falls.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

At 10° it should start fine ...

My first thought is test the glow plugs ...

Second thought is have you adjusted the valves, guessing they are adjustable ... Mine calls for every 500 hours. Tight valves would hold them open a tad, so less compression.

Maybe a block heater would help the older tractor get going easier ...

 

[diesel85]

I would check the valves for clearances and check the glow plugs.

My 2002 BX2200 started this afternoon when it was 2F without being plugged in no problem. Held the glow plugs for 15 seconds before cranking and it fired right up.

My tractor also has 2,400+ hours on it.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to add some Hotshots EDT Winter or some white bottle PowerService to improve cold weather combustion.

For all the years I've owned my tractor, it has been started at -25F with no issues and no block heater.

 

[JWR]

My BX2200 is over 25 years old. The battery is a few years old. It was 14 degrees and started OK yesterday BUT you need much longer glow plug duration when it gets that cold. What you best be looking at ASAP (if it is going to be 10 degrees or below) is fuel gelling. I never ever trust the gas stations to "treat" their diesel fuel. Best is mix in #1 (Kerosene at 50/50 mix which guarantees your will be OK fuel wise.) Many say they use white Power Service additive which no doubt works. Nothing you said gives any reason to think you need new glow plugs. Just run them a lot longer at 10 degrees than you are used to.

I would check the valves for clearances and check the glow plugs.

My 2002 BX2200 started this afternoon when it was 2F without being plugged in no problem. Held the glow plugs for 15 seconds before cranking and it fired right up.

My tractor also has 2,400+ hours on it.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to add some Hotshots EDT Winter or some white bottle PowerService to improve cold weather combustion.

For all the years I've owned my tractor, it has been started at -25F with no issues and no block heater.

Well, ... I'm trying to be politely skeptical. You started your BX at 25 below with ease many times. It only took 15 sec of glow plugs at 2 degrees. Really? I've worked on several BX 3 cyl diesels, own 3 of the B2150 4cyl, etc. At 2 degrees none of them are going anywhere unless the fuel has been well treated or mixed with kerosene (and run long enough that it is in all the plumbing. Neither would the VW diesel.) Then the glow plugs will all run way longer than 15 seconds unless I want to try it 4 or 5 times. At 25 below you will be darn lucky to start any of them at all. If everything is in very GOOD shape, battery, cables, fuel, compression, etc. you probably can start it a little better than 50% of the time. In my opinion of course.

 

[diesel85]

My BX2200 is over 25 years old. The battery is a few years old. It was 14 degrees and started OK yesterday BUT you need much longer glow plug duration when it gets that cold. What you best be looking at ASAP (if it is going to be 10 degrees or below) is fuel gelling. I never ever trust the gas stations to "treat" their diesel fuel. Best is mix in #1 (Kerosene at 50/50 mix which guarantees your will be OK fuel wise.) Many say they use white Power Service additive which no doubt works. Nothing you said gives any reason to think you need new glow plugs. Just run them a lot longer at 10 degrees than you are used to.

Well, ... I'm trying to be politely skeptical. You started your BX at 25 below with ease many times. It only took 15 sec of glow plugs at 2 degrees. Really? I've worked on several BX 3 cyl diesels, own 3 of the B2150 4cyl, etc. At 2 degrees none of them are going anywhere unless the fuel has been well treated or mixed with kerosene (and run long enough that it is in all the plumbing. Neither would the VW diesel.) Then the glow plugs will all run way longer than 15 seconds unless I want to try it 4 or 5 times. At 25 below you will be darn lucky to start any of them at all. If everything is in very GOOD shape, battery, cables, fuel, compression, etc. you probably can start it a little better than 50% of the time. In my opinion of course.

Next time it gets down that low, I'll try to do a video. It does "chooch" for about 15-20 seconds when it gets going, but I never have to lay on the starter.

Today it started with exactly 15 Mississippi's and it "chooched" for about 5-6 seconds and it was sounding like it normally does.

It was 2F out when I started it, but it was sitting out in the barn with no heat, so I'm guessing that the block temp was still somewhere in the -'s. But to be fair, it was 2F out on the thermometer, and that is what it started at in my mind.

Right now the only thing in the fuel tank is diesel and a good heavy splash of white bottle DieselKleen. Been doing this since ULSD came out and it has never failed me. I also keep a full fuel tank at all times to keep condensation down to a minimum.

Great machine if you ask me. Can't ask for anything more.

 

[RjCorazza]

The Op is experiencing a difference in cold starting, so I think his glow plug concerns are valid. Test them out, as it is certainly possible one or more are not working.
In the mean time, pay particular attention to how long you're activating them.

I recently started my L4060 for the first time in 10 years without pre heating with the block heater at around 10 degrees f... I was surprised when the engine immediately went to 1100rpm (I always start it at a dead idle). It started as quick as usual, but I guess the computer wanted more fuel to the engine.

 

[dodge man]

I’m surprised nobody said how is your battery. Load test it. I also agree are the glow plugs working and make sure you don’t see any fuel gelling in the filter housing.

 

[mikester]

You need to test how cold it is outside by touching your tongue to a steel post. Galvanized steel fence posts work best.

Do this and report back.