CK25 getting hard to start

[Desert Moose]

Well, the new CK25 we got in March succesfully finished the first major project, running underground conduit to the house for a power upgrade. It's been real nice having it. Now has 27 hours on it. Only problem I've had was a slight hydraulic leak on the quick connect to the backhoe. Tightened the fitting, and the leak stopped.

One thing that seems to be showing up is starting it after it sits for several days. Takes a LOT of cranking to get it to fire off. Weather's been in the 90's, so doubt it's cold Once it's starts, it will fire right up the rest of the day with no problems. Battery is good, it spins right over. I did notice that when it's hard to start that there is a lot of white smoke coming out before it fires off.

Is there a possible problem with a fuel shut off that allows fuel to settle in the engine so it's real rich while starting? Might explain all the white smoke.

I haven't called the dealer yet, Been real busy so haven't found any time to be available if he needs to look at it. Once things slow down, i'll call if I can't get an answer and fix it myself.

Thanks, Sam

 

[wallace]

Sounds like you are not allowing the glow plugs to run their cycle.
Are you waiting for the orange squiggley line light to go out before turning the motor over?

 

[TractorLegend]

You dont have the infamous cracked fuel bowl do you?? Drawing air will cause that too.
I think it good medicine for us all to use an additive such as PowerService in our fuel to help prevent possible fuel related problems. Just my opinion.
The only thing I'm aware of that would allow unmetered fuel in the engine would be a leaking injector, however based on your detailed description of the symptom wouldn't be the first thing coming to mind.

 

[Desert Moose]

Wallace: Yep, I'm waiting for the "pig tail" (as my wife calls it) to go out. I've even tried cycling it two and three times before cranking the engine. I have a diesel truck, so am used to starting one, even at 10 below...

Tractorlegend: Haven't looked under the hood all that much. Where's the fuel bowl located? Would it result in fuel dripping out, or does it just allow air into the fuel system?

Sam

 

[wallace]

Hmmmm.....White smoke usually indicates that it is glow plugs, white smoke is unburnt fuel.
Although the cranking on the engine for a while will prime the fuel bowl if it is cracked.

 

[Desert Moose]

Ok, this brings up the question. If I have something wrong and the glow plugs aren't working, would the "pigtail" indicator still come on like it does? Or would it not light up in the plugs weren't working?

Should I try pulling a glow plug , grounding it, and cycling the key to see if it's working?

Sam

 

[mrutkaus]

I hardly ever use/need glow plugs in the summer, what happens if you just start it without waiting?

Mike

 

[Desert Moose]

Haven't tried it without waiting for the "pigtail' light to go out. My guess is that it still will require a lot of cranking before it fires.
My diesel truck starts fine in warm weather without waiting. The "pigtail" indicator doesn't show up when it's warm, so I just crank it over.

 

[Highbeam]

The glow plugs don't hurt when it is warm out but they may not help either. My 30 year old 3 cylinder diesel bulldozer had no glow plugs of any sort and it would fire to life easily at 35 degrees. Maybe colder but I never tried.

I have never had the white smoke puff out but that may be because I always start the engine with the throttle set to idle. Are you trying to start the engine with the throttle up? I have seen that make these hard to start and result in white smoke.

 

[Desert Moose]

No, I always have the throttle at an idle.
I was wondering if I should try advancing it a bit, but haven't played around with starting in any position other than an idle. Thought I'd get everyone's input first.