JD 4120 Smoke at start up!

[frankenstein]

I have just bough a 4120 eHydro tractor/400X/MFWD. I truly like this machine especially since I moved up from a JD 850/MFWD and loader.

My question is in regards to the smoking at start up and will that always stay like that?

 

[dmp437]

Where do you live/how cold is it?

Followup: How much does is smoke? Quanity and duration?

 

[NIXON]

If it's Black smoke ,and of a short duration , it's fairly normal .
Most, if not all ,diesels start at full throttle regardless of the manual throttle setting.
If it continues to belch out black smoke ,or white smoke You need to ask your dealer to remedy it . John

 

[hhw]

I think if you check your OM the start-up section expounds on this issue. I know all of my JD manuals indicate there will be smoke at start-up. The one for my 4010 advises that "some white smoke and engine noise" is normal at start-up. It seems that existing environmental condition can have a dramatic effect when starting. I think the big concern comes if the smoke/noise continues after start-up, for an extended period of time.

 

[2nstonge]

For about 20-30 seconds after start-up on my 4110 I get a burst of blueish-white smoke and the unmistakable diesel clatter. The colder the air temp the longer the smoke and noise take to disipate. This is normal. I would imagine your experience should be about the same, but, if it's really unnerving it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to your dealer.

-Norm

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

My 4210 does the same. It's normal and clears after c ouple minutes. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[trlong]

frankenstein,

Welcome to the forum.

There is a related discussion on starting J.D. CUT's but I can't seem to find it. If some one can, please post the link.

Couple of things from that discussion. A puff of smoke is normal. Amount and duration is very temperature dependant. Use of a block, and perhaps coolant heater is recommended in cold weather. Specific to many 4xxx series, I believe, is recommended to turn the key to on, NOT start, and watch the indicator/batt light. It will come on bright for a couple of seconds, then dim (or, perhaps the other way around...I do it so automatically now I can't remember). It is pre-heating the plugs (I believe...would have to re-read manual and/or thread).

The starting on my 4115 is incredibly fast, for a deisel. So, in cold weather, I warm it with the block heater for at least a 1/2 hour (colder = longer on the block heater). Then, after disconnecting the heater (ofcourse), I tap up the throttle a little (aiming for an idle around 1200), turn the key just to the on, NOT start, position. Watching the indicator lights, I see them change intensity. I repeat that 2 or three times to get the plugs pre-heated. Then, when I do start, the starting is nearly instant with just a puff of black smoke, then a nice smooth idle to warm up. I let it warm for xxx minutes (temp dependent I may let it warm as much as 15-20 min.'s).

Hope this helps. Sorry I can't find the thread as it is much more info from more knowledgeble sources.

Tom

 

[RalphVa]

I continue to get bluish white smoke for about 10 seconds or so after starting up my 4010 in the carriage house basement garage. This is after running the glow plugs with ignition switch in "start" position with selecter in "H" before switching to "N" to start after counting to 5. This is with about 23 hours on the engine.

It doesn't start full throttle. Usually shut it down with throttle to give about 1300-1500 rpm. If I shut it down at 1,000 rpm and start it that way, it'll "hunt" and possibly die first. My old Benz does the same unless you give it a little throttle.

Ralph

 

[rockyridgefarm]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The 4115 is Direct injected and doesn't have glow plugs...

On the mid chassis machines, you push in the key to energize the air preheater, is there not the same on a 4115?

 

[KennedyDiesel]

The 4120 uses the Deere engine and Stanadyne fuel system. The way it was described to me, there is a magnet in the "rack" that goes to 2,000 RPM. When the engine is started, you not only get the puff of hard fueling like the Yanmars, but you are blessed with the 2,000 RPM surge at startup.

There has also been a production change for the engine that came along in late 2004. The compression ratio was increased by .5 to aid in extreme cold and high elevation starting where blue smoke and hard starting could be a problem.