DongFeng Cold Starting

[jimandapril97]

We have a DF354 which is great except that the starter needs to crank for five minutes to get it running in cold weather. I tried a katz radiator hose heater but it burned out because the hose did not stay wet enough. I now use magnetic heaters on the oil pan but it still needs to crank for a long time before starting. Do I have any options? Is there a place to put a block heater in? Can I put in hotter glow plugs?
jimandapril97

 

[Willl]

Are your GPs working ?
How cold are we talking about and how long are you glowing for ?

Take your wifes hair drier and point it at the air intake snorkel while cranking so it sucks in the heated air.

 

[shvl73]

I would think there is a possibility of burning up the starter. Was the heater installed in the lower radiator hose? Normally, it would always be in contact with the coolant.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think something is not right here. The heater should have been in the lower hose and would always be in contact with coolant unless you have bigger problems. Mine started yesterday after being plug in for 45 minutes with about 5 seconds of cranking, not 5 minutes. The block was hot to the touch after that 45 minute wait.

Chris

 

[TTTTTT]

Where about are you? Check the recent thread below I started. How old is your model? Mine is the more recent one with the Changchai 2.54 l. engine which is direct injection. It has the manifold heater and glow plugs(which were originally not connected). I wired to the glowplugs and I had very little problem starting without being plugged in at about -15 C. The thread details it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chinese-tractors/133956-df-winter-starting.html

A link to another site which has details of a rad install on a DF354 although not necessarily successful might be of some help.

CHINESE TRACTOR OWNERS CLUB FORUM - ZN490BT Engine Heater (DF354 / 404 tractor)

Goodluck interested in the outcome

Dave

 

[greg_g]

Can I put in hotter glow plugs?

How old is this tractor? Cuz we just went through this yesterday with another DF owner. His engine had both glow plugs and an intake heater. The glow plugs weren't hooked up, and the intake heater didn't seem to work. So he just hooked up the glow plugs, and isn't going to worry about fixing the intake heater till spring.

//greg//

 

[TTTTTT]

How old is this tractor. Cuz we just went through this yesterday with another DF owner. His engine had both glow plugs and an intake heater. The glow plugs weren't hooked up, and the intake heater didn't seem to work. So he just hooked up the glow plugs, and isn't going to worrk about fixing the intake heater till spring.

//greg//

That would be me. Just redirecting to some threads started to see what can help jimandapril97.

 

[greg_g]

That would be me. Just redirecting to some threads started to see what can help jimandapril97.

Yup. Looks like we posted almost simultaneously

//greg//

 

[SPIKER]

I thought I might post here since I have some glow plugs that do not fit my engine, I have a JINMA 284: I do not know for sure WHAT these glow plugs are for but they are SHORTER than the JINMA plugs are. I ordered some a while back and put in new ones. When I bought my tractor I ordered a BUNCH of spare parts as part of a container full. well seems dang near every part I have tried to use has not fit my tractor, the parts did not arrive in the container load full, when I sent & aske I was told they were shipped with a different container and would arrive later they did arrive, & so far only spare parts I have used are pretty common ones that have fit (light bulbs ect.) when I found my glow plugs quit I dug them and and yep they are a good 1/2" too short in the threaded end. not sure if these could be a DONGFE or ?? This was 2002 prior to KAMA so I do not think it is from them. Threads are same as mine, these have a ROUNDED end where they go into head, same top and thread pitch, just the threaded part is shorter... SO if anyone needs 3 spare glow plugs that DON NOT fit JINMA then let me know if they sound similar to theirs.

I'll try & remember to take a pic or two. with my OLD plugs for ref. I did drop off one of the copper washers SOMEPLACE that are used to seal them but I imagine those can be replaced from ones found at store.

Mark

 

[DIYGuy]

5 minutes is a long time. Even at 10F, it takes me less than 5 seconds after 30 seconds of glowplugs. No block heater, no hose heater, just a cold motor and glowplugs.

It use to take a lot longer until I fixed my starter and glowplugs.

Starter replacement here -> Starter Replacement
Glowplug replacement here -> Glowplug Replacement

I have a 224 with a Yangdong Y380 motor. Slightly smaller than yours, but pretty close to the same technology.

 

[Jinma284]

Those are great pictures and great step by step directions.

 

[Jinma284]

Pulled the starter off my Jinma 284 today to get it checked at a starter shop. Really had a problem getting to the top bold because of a pipe that runs directly in front of it. Can't get a ratchet on it. Box end turns it a fraction but not enough to take off and put on again. Had to use the box end, then open end, and box end, then open end. You get the picture, very slow. Planned to take 10-15 minutes and ended up frustrated and red-faced after about an hour. I'm sure if I had the right suggestion it would be easy. Help me.

By the way the starter was in great shape. Only needed cleaning where the hot wire connects to the solnoid. Starter shop owner showed me where the problem was. Told me to go home and clean the wiring system. Seems I have read that here more times than once. He said he had rebuilt a starter just like it last week. The shop owner is my son. He better treat me right.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I don't have any trouble getting my starter off with a 12" extension for the top bolt. If you don't have any pick up a 3 pack of extensions that have a wobble end for the socket. You can get a set at AutoZone or Harbor Freight for about $10 and you get a 3", 6", and a 12".

Something like these but longer.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well, I did it again. I am always assuming these are Jinma tractors. I see yours is a DongFeng so I have no clue if its the cure to get the wobble extension.

Sorry

Chris

 

[Jinma284]

You were right the first time. Mine is a Jinma. I didn't consider an extention. I'll check that out today. If I don't have one I'll buy a set. Thanks.

Pat

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes, it will turn it into a 5 minute job. Hopefully you will not have to take it back off but its nice to have the right tools when needed.

Chris

 

[Jinma284]

I cleaned all the wiring connections with a file, put the starter back on, and what a difference. A really strong start. I did have a long extention and it made short work of putting it back on. Really easy. I bought my Jinma in July of 2002. Along with others, I would now recommend cleaning of the wiring system on a regular basis. My son said the starter was in really good shape. He said it is put together really well to keep out moisture. Thanks for your help Chris.

Pat