Ford 1210 - Remove pre-heat chamber and Cold start problems

[Harbinson]

I would like to remove, clean and reinstall the pre-heat chamber on a 1210. How are they removed. They are visible when the injectors are moved and appear to come out through the same opening.

This last snow storm the 1210 failed to start. Probably due to the 30 year old slow cranking starter that finally died. A new one has been ordered and should arrive in a few days (Best price I found - Discount Starter & Alternator | Home).

Now that the tractor is down, I'm trying to fix the cold start problem once and for all: I also removed and cleaned fuel tank, replaced all fuel lines, cleaned the fuel filter canister, installed a new fuel filter, purchased new glow plugs, cleaned the injection lines and had the injectors cleaned and tested by a reputable truck mechanic. My last item is to remove and clean the pre-combustion chambers.

Your thoughts, ideas and help are appreciated.

 

[rayikeo2]

What was the problem when the tractor didn't start? Does your tractor have a keyed switch to start the tractor with a start aid view hole next to the switch? When the key switch is worn out it can cause the cold start aid problem and the starter not working. A new key switch runs about $80 on ebay. Describe your problem in more detail. My 1700 had similar problems and I replaced the switch and everything returned to normal. You may not need to clean the precombustion chamber. I am not a tractor mechanic. I have not read on here anything about how to clean the precombustion chamber.

 

[sld]

That does sound a little like overkill to clean the pre-combustion chambers. With good glow plugs you should never have a cold start problem.

Does the little coil glow when you turn the key to the left? After glowing for about 15-20 seconds, mine fires immediately no matter how cold. Granted, I do store it inside where it won't drop much below 15 degrees at most.

Good battery, good fuel and good glow plugs, it should start no matter how cold. Maybe you could try a block heater?

 

[Harbinson]

Even though my shed was warmed up to 50 degrees, it cranked but wouldn't start. Beside the slow cranking speed, I'm focusing on the fuel supply system because I didn't see any smoke or smell fuel in the exhaust after a lot of cranking.
When disassembled I found fuel in the pump, the injector lines, the injectors and the injector return line. The glow plugs were wet when pulled.
The key switch is new as of a few months ago. All the warning lights work. It has a new deep cell battery. The new glow plugs are getting 8.5 volts. After I adjusted the safety switch plunger by the clutch pedal, it fixed the hit or miss cranking problem.
It's always been a hard start when at 50° or below but ran great once it did. It ran fine two weeks ago pushing snow for 5 hours before it was returned to the shed.
I hope this additional info helps.

 

[Harbinson]

Sld, you may be right but it's had a cold start problem and I have it apart. Just want to do everything I can. It's a great little tractor that doesn't owe me a dime.
Yes, the coil glows and the glow plugs are getting 8.5 volts. New deep cell battery. Mine likes warm weather. Under 50° and it needs a lot of glow plug. In the 40's I need a heater. I hope when I'm done, mine will be more like yours. Being the second owner, this may be the good cleaning it needs. It's a great little tractor.

 

[Harbinson]

Installed the new starter today. Reinstalled everything from the fuel tank to the cleaned fuel injectors and bled the system. Sld was right. I didn't have to clean the chamber. After 30 seconds of glow plugs and a little cranking, it started right up with no smoke.
I can't say if it was the new fast cranking starter, the fuel system overhaul or a combination of both but it appears to have done the trick. Thank you for all your help.

 

[sld]

Great job and good luck with your 1210!

 

[sanfordtractor]

I have a 1210 ford and found that the starter was the culprit for not starting in cold weather. Did the torpedo heater and used a jump pack and jump cables to another battery to start. Finally I decided to take starter out and check it out. Thought maybe the brushes were shot. Everything checked out good. So I cleaned brushes with sand paper, cleaned all moving parts and regreased bearings and moving parts. Wella...felt like a brand new starter turning motor (it's the original starter with 800 hrs) started engine next day in cold weather and fired up without any help of heat or extra battery power. In addition to help out cold start. I used archoil as an adddative to the oil. Big difference guys. Will never go without an oil change without adding arch oil. I have it in every piece of equipment that has a motor.