BX2200 won't start in cold

rbarker · Jan 9, 2004

BX2200 won\'t start in cold

It dipped down below zero last night and the tractor is in a Cover-it shed in the back yard. I usually leave the door open cause it's a pain to roll up and down so it got the full brunt of the cold last night. Luckily I don't need the tractor but I thought I'd give it a try to help take my mind off the sudden death of my Brother last night. Held the glow plugs in preheat for about 30 seconds and cranked but nothing except greyish brown smoke. Many more tries with the glow plugs and all have produced no joy. The motor will sound like it's starting as long as the key is engaged but take away the starter and it stops. I'm charging the battery now, although that's not the problem, and I have closed the door to the Cover-it which has increased the temp inside. I also went and got some product called 911 and a fresh load of deisel fuel. I think the old fuel is winter blend but I can't remember. It was not gelled in the tank when I checked. I know the new batch is winter blend and it took between 2 and 3 gallons. My next step is to try to warm things up in there some more and see if that helps.

For those of you on the fence about a block heater... DO IT! I wish I hadn't let the salesman talk me out of it when I bought the tractor last year. He said I wouldn't need it where I live. BZZZZZTT...Wrong!

Any other suggestions out there besides what I've tried already? I'm not desperate enough to crawl under the thing and disconnect fuel lines etc. It's supposed to get even colder and the freeze is looking like it will last another week!

JerryG · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

<font color="blue"> help take my mind off the sudden death of my Brother last night </font>

Sorry to hear about your brother. My condolences to you and your family.

PhilNH5 · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Bob,
I too am sorry to hear of your loss.

Regarding the tractor - Can you add a heat source to the cover-it shed? Even a light bulb under the engine may help. I recalll in pictures that your cover-it is up against the back of your house so I would not suggest an open flame.

How about an electric blanket over the engine?

There is another TBN thread about this very topic with more ideas.

Phil

art · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Sorry to hear about your brother. Often all that might need to be done at zero to start an engine without a block heater is to warm the battery or charge it for a 10 minute period before cranking. It is still about 7 below here and they are starting on there own here today. This morning at -16 the only thing that we tried to start this morning for delivery was a B-7510 which made it but not by much, but the power strokes in our small rollback let us down even being plugged in! Go figure.

Pks · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Bob,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences at you loss. I hope your memories of him will warm you and comfort you.

As I read your post, I thought I understood you to state that the engine ran as long as the key was in the start position. If that's the case, then the "fuel shutoff solenoid" may not be operating correctly.

On the B2400, it's on the right side of the block on the back (driver's end) of the fuel pump. When the solenoid is working correctly it will push an arm into the pump body to keep the fuel flowing. When the ignition is turned off, the arm retracts and the engine stops.

There are one or two threads about this kind of problem. I forget the name of the threads though. I had asked a few questions once when my solenoid quit. I ended up taking it off, checking the resistance through the coils and finding out that it was busted. A new one was about $120.

In your case, you might try heating the solenoid with a hair drier to see if that helps.

Also, my manual shows the glowplug heating time vs heat generated in a graph. The longer the plugs are held on, the less heat they will create over time. I have found that holding the glowplugs on for a count of 10 in the winter and a count of 3 in the summer is perfect. My B2400 lives outside. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Hope this diatribe helps.

Egon · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Our condolences on your brother Bob.

If the tractor is not reqired wait till it warms up but do charge the battery.

Egon

rbarker · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Thanks all for your kind wishes.

As far as the tractor is concerned, charging the battery did not help, nor did a light bulb under the engine for about 3 hours.

I think the suggestion of the fuel solonoid may have some merit and I will look into that. Also, the electric blanket idea sounds promising, or maybe just a small space heater to warm the entire shed.

I really think it is getting fuel because it fills the shed with strong deisel smelling smoke as you crank. I think it's just too dang cold to keep running?

At any rate, thanks for the suggestions and I'll keep you posted. Like I said, it's not really that important it's just busy work.

Will_C · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Bob; Can't add any advice that has not already been said about your tractor, but hearing about your brother hit me where it hurts. I can't imagine losing my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Will

Deerlope · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Try a Watt's magnetic electric engine heater. put it on the oil pan and heat that oil up so the engine will spin more freely. They come in many different wattages. also some heat from the oil will work up through the engine.

My prayer's for your loss.

LateBloomer · Jan 9, 2004

Re: BX2200 won\'t start in cold

Sorry to hear about your brother, condolences. I asked for a block heater when I bought my B7500 and the salesman talked me into a magnetic oil pan heater. I use it and I don't really know if it does any good. I have got it started at -8 but it was a real toss up for a while. I suppose it is better than nothing, I suppose. Next summer I am going to change it out for a block heater. We are supposed to get another 6 inches tonight and a lot of snow has drifted into my drive from big wind storm here. Tommorrow I'll be needing to crank the old boy up again, hope it starts.