Diesel starting trouble -- compression?

[George_Martin]

I am considering buying an old diesel tractor that the owner says the "motor runs fine but needs a sniff of ether" to get started. I know regular use of ether can be very harmful to the engine, but it very likely that the hard starting is due to low compression and the engine will soon be needing an overhaul? I do not know the condition of the glow plugs. Thank you for your help and all the great advice you all have given me in the past.

 

[George_Martin]

I am considering buying an old diesel tractor that the owner says the "motor runs fine but needs a sniff of ether" to get started. I know regular use of ether can be very harmful to the engine, but it very likely that the hard starting is due to low compression and the engine will soon be needing an overhaul? I do not know the condition of the glow plugs. Thank you for your help and all the great advice you all have given me in the past.

 

[greg_g]

I see one question mark in that post George, but I can't quite make out what the actual question might be

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

I see one question mark in that post George, but I can't quite make out what the actual question might be

//greg//

 

[George_Martin]

I should have proof-read my question better. Since it needs ether to start, is this an indication that compression is low?

 

[George_Martin]

I should have proof-read my question better. Since it needs ether to start, is this an indication that compression is low?

 

[bluechip]

Quite possibly. only way to know is do a compression test...

 

[bluechip]

Quite possibly. only way to know is do a compression test...

 

[Soundguy]

In general, a diesel that is needing ether to start is getting weak .. however.. I've seen brand new diesels that are cold hearted dogs if their glow/thermostart/preheat systems don't work.. fixing that turns them into reliable starters.. You might want to chaeck that glow system..
though a compression test will be a very good diagnostic tool as well... in fact.. I'd want both, unless just quickly checking the glow got it going good.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

In general, a diesel that is needing ether to start is getting weak .. however.. I've seen brand new diesels that are cold hearted dogs if their glow/thermostart/preheat systems don't work.. fixing that turns them into reliable starters.. You might want to chaeck that glow system..
though a compression test will be a very good diagnostic tool as well... in fact.. I'd want both, unless just quickly checking the glow got it going good.

Soundguy

 

[tat2z1969]

Chip is correct, having said that I have seen diesel engines that were new that wanted ether.
I have a old Cat dozer, been shooting ether to it for 25 years, so I figured I better do a major rebuild,so I did, still won't start without ether, some mechanical(non computer)diesels just want ether. In the case of my Cat, it is converted from pony motor to a 12 volt starter, if the pony still ran it would start without ether the starter is short on guts for that engine cold, but fires fine hot.
If the compression is good, fuel system could be the cold start problem, worn injectors and pump or it could be a build up of carbon on the pistons and valves, that will soak up the fuel like a wick and make it d*mn hard to start,hence the need for ether.
If you get it and think its carbon, run 1 quart of Marvel Mystery oil in 5 gallons of fuel, might have to do it 2 or 3 times, it will clean out the carbon.

 

[tat2z1969]

Chip is correct, having said that I have seen diesel engines that were new that wanted ether.
I have a old Cat dozer, been shooting ether to it for 25 years, so I figured I better do a major rebuild,so I did, still won't start without ether, some mechanical(non computer)diesels just want ether. In the case of my Cat, it is converted from pony motor to a 12 volt starter, if the pony still ran it would start without ether the starter is short on guts for that engine cold, but fires fine hot.
If the compression is good, fuel system could be the cold start problem, worn injectors and pump or it could be a build up of carbon on the pistons and valves, that will soak up the fuel like a wick and make it d*mn hard to start,hence the need for ether.
If you get it and think its carbon, run 1 quart of Marvel Mystery oil in 5 gallons of fuel, might have to do it 2 or 3 times, it will clean out the carbon.