JD 440 skidder wont start

[oneangrycowman]

Just signed up to pick your collective brains.

Attempted to start old faithful last weekend to skid some wood. For the first time ever it didn't start. A quick look showed the fuel filter bowl was caked with ice. Replaced the filters, bled the filters, bled the line to the roosa injector pump, bled the return line, cracked the injectors.... everything's getting fuel but it won't catch.

The battery wouldn't charge back up to 100% so I thought it might be juiced, replaced it with an interstate... no luck.

Thought the new starter might be drawing too much.. had it tested. Not the problem.

It's even blowing smoke when cranked over. I've run out of ideas. What do you think?

 

[spruce Deere]

Well, welcome to TBN:thumbsup:

A JD 440 skidder, OH the memories what model Is it a 440, 440A, 440B or newer?

Have you tried wiggling the steering wheel back and forth or lifting the blade while cranking on it? Sounds dumb, but you probibly already knew about that ol' trick on older deere skidders course, mabe you have a newer one where that trick don' work like the "E" or "G" models.

If its blown' smoke but not firing sounds like its not quite getting enough fuel. Just like after running completely out of diesel and even having to bleed everything as you describe.

I ran a 648D skidder years ago that did the same as you describe. Only difference was, I being young and loved skidd'n ran the beast dry of fuel. Bled every thing that could be bled on the fuel system, no fire but smoke.

Rather p_ssed by now, someone on the logging crew said, Soak a rag with gas and stuff it next to the air filter. So we dug up an old rag, DRENCHED the thing with saw gas, took the air filter housing lid off and slopped the soaked rag between air filter and housing and by golly, she roared back to life. Jerked the rag out from air filter and all was good from there.

 

[oneangrycowman]

Sorry about that, it's a JD 440 B. I haven't heard about the hydraulic trick either. I know we have a disconnect lever to kick out the hydraulic pump but no I've never heard of the wiggle trick.

I checked the injector pump today to see if the valve was kicking with the key and it was. I now have no idea.

The machine has been ultra reliable until now. A few years back in mid February we had to pull out a state truck that lost it down a bank. The skidder sat uncovered at a log landing for 2 months and started in two rotations; blowing ice from the exhaust.

I despise ether, but if I can't figure it out, I'm going to have to break down and buy a can.

 

[dex3361]

Welcome to TBN
Are the glow plugs working?
Does it have and Air intake heater if so is it working?
I would add some heat to the intake air system(heat gun or hair dryer).
If you are blowing smoke (white or gray colored) you have fuel but may not be getting enough heat from compression and the heat helps in this area.

 

[oneangrycowman]

No glow plugs and no intake heater. I thought the same thing. I put a 150,000 btu salamander on it for a few hours. So much so it actually made the oil on the dip stick warm to the touch.
Still nothing.

 

[Don87]

Not sure where you are at(it's not in your profile), but it sounds like your fuel is gelling, or if it's ULSD, could be a waxing problem.

I understand that you used the salamander, but did that heat reach the fuel tank?

Is it possible to drain the fuel and put fresh in?

I hate to see you use ether, because usually once you start, they get addicted and won't run without it.

 

[oneangrycowman]

Located in north east Pennsylvania. We're currently having a fantastic warm spell. It hit 45 today with a high of 49 projected for tomorrow.

I had the salamander directed on the front half of the skidder so your theory is possible. We've treated the fuel with kerosene and I've blown the feeder fuel line back to the tank until it bubbled and returned to the primer pump. I can't imagine the fuel could still be gelled with the temps we had today but at this point, anything's worth a shot

 

[Don87]

If it's not gelling, it could still be the 'waxing', you can read more on this in the 'fuel and lubricants' forum here on TBN.

The new ULSD fuel doesn't like to 'sit around' long, shelf life appears low.

Your problem does appear to be in the fuel delivery line, so any of the above scenarios are plausible.

Have you tried the 'fire near the intake' yet? I've heard of that working also.

 

[Don87]

On second thought, maybe the ether is best for this situation. Could be that there is still air in there somewhere?

Just go sparingly on the ether so the engine doesn't 'runaway'.

Are you familiar with the usage of ether on a diesel engine?

P.S. Don't forget to 'refresh' your screen, or skip to another thread and come back. That's the only way the 'new posts' will show up.

If you already knew this, I apologize...........just trying to help.

 

[oneangrycowman]

Well gents, I'm ashamed to say I found the problem.

After pulling the exhaust and preparing for a tear down I saw (by chance) a corn kernel in the exhaust manifold. In the weeks it sat through deer season a lovely field mouse had made a stash of corn in #4 of the exhaust. Not in the exhaust pipe, not in 1-3, but only the #4 where there was no hope of blowing it all out. :laughing:

Luckily, none of the material had made it in the valve.

A new exhaust screen and a flipper style cap should prevent this from EVER happening again.

With Murphy sitting on my shoulder, I'm sure I'll be back with more questions

Thank you all for your help.