L185 starting

   / L185 starting #1  

Anonymous Poster

Epic Contributor
Joined
Sep 27, 2005
Messages
29,678
Recently bought a L185 and have found it is hard to start, what is the best procedure to staart this tractor, after preheating I turn the key to activate the starter while decompression switch is out then i slowly push in decompression switch until it catches but after it trys to start seems like it wont keep running, almost like a choke problem on a gasser, whats is my problem any ideas?
 
   / L185 starting #2  
I have an L185 also. And it can be a little hard to start. But once it "catches" it stays running just fine. My proceedure is to give ~1/3 throttle, use the preheat (30-40sec < 40degrees and 15-20sec when > 40degrees), hit the starter. It usually fires after a revolution or two. Then I quickly adjust the throttle back so the tractor is running at 1000 to 1200rpm for warmup. I only use the decompression when it's very cold or the battery is weak. On mine the decomp. lever on the end of the valve cover sometimes stickes and does not totally release even though the knob on the dash moves freely in and out. Something to check on yours. Also, what is the condition of your fuel system? It might be worth the time to clean out your fuel tank, replace fuel lines and the fuel filter.
 
   / L185 starting #3  
My L185 starts fine but needs a good battery.

My decompression lever is also stuck and cable didgy so I don't use it at all. Then again it doesn't get too cold over here.

I don't touch throttle.

Just glow plugs for 10+ seconds and fire. Away she goes.

My fuel system is clean.

Hope you get some action in the starting department.

Cheers
 
   / L185 starting #4  
Neil, I couldn't believe it when I read in the manual for starting the B2710 to open the throttle half way. I never did that; just didn't like an engine to roar to life before the oil got to circulating. So I did like you, started it at a dead idle, then increased the rpm to about 12-1500 to warm up.
 
   / L185 starting #5  
Yes me too bird. My outboard motor is like that, need throttle to start. Yuk !!!

I hate a screaming cold engine.

You know you hear people start their cars in the cold and rev the guts out of them. Makes me cringe.....
 
   / L185 starting #6  
Dug out my operator;s manual (For an L245 but mostly the same)

Says in cold weather to use glow plugs for 40 seconds or 60 seconds in severe cold.

Says indicator will glow after about 10 seconds.

This may help further as I thought once the indicator glows, that would be enough.

Cheers
 
   / L185 starting #7  
I don't know if it's good practice or not, but I have tried turning the switch back to the left, to the heating position, after starting my L210 if it starts to die. Seems to work pretty well.

Chuck
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Craftsman 18in Chainsaw (A49462)
Craftsman 18in...
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD SUV (A50324)
2018 Toyota RAV4...
Case 580D (A47384)
Case 580D (A47384)
2025 LandHonor SD-22-72W 65in No Till Seed Drill for Tractor and Skid Steer Attachment (A49462)
2025 LandHonor...
2018 Toro Groundsmaster 7200 72in Zero Turn Mower (A48082)
2018 Toro...
2015 Dodge 5500 4X4 Bucket Truck (A52128)
2015 Dodge 5500...
 
Top