loud knocking at startup

[PA hayseed]

Ok, now let me preface this question by saying this is my second tractor and both are/were diesel. I only have 12 hours on the new tractor (17 hrs total) in a week, and am still getting used to the feel of a bigger tractor, faster hydraulics.

Yesterday, I started my DK45, in neutral just like the manual says, with low RPMS. I let the glow plug go out before it was turned over. The engine knocked very loudly for about 10 seconds to 20 seconds (not sure I didn't time it). I was a little concerned, but the knock went away. I proceeded to take it out, do some digging in a ditch, smashed some dirt down along the road, and eventually put it away.

For a little background, my tractor resides in my garage when not in use. When I put the tractor away, I put it in neutral, lower the fel and rear blade, then lower the rpms, and after a few seconds (20 to 30) I turn it off.

Am I being overly paranoid. The knocking sounded like big metallic balls hitting each other. I've heard much bigger diesel's firing up most of my life and never heard this. My last tractor didnt ever make this sound.

While I'm at it, does anyone else feel like they got off a pogo stick after a couple hours in the seat? I readjust the seat it seems like every time I get on it.

 

[driver444]

Diesels (especially bigger ones) do make alot of clanging noises and may even run a little rough on startup, and need a little warm up time. That's even true with pickups, and large trucks.

The 10 or 20 second thing is odd. That's not enough time for the noisiness to go away. Are you sure its not a sound related to low (or no) oil pressure on start up. An example would be if you did an oil change on a car and didn't fill the oil filter before you put it on. The engine (especially top end) would run dry for a few seconds.

I would start by checking your oil pressure light (or guage). That's really the only thing that could cause a catastrophic failure. Any other clanging noises that are "engine oil related" won't go away on their own until it's fixed or blown up!

 

[County Sawyer]

The engines used in these smaller tractors are indirect fuel injection and therefore normally have much higher compression ratio and therefore tend to have a bit of compression knock at start up especially if the temps are a bit cooler.
Mine does the same thing in the mornings now that the temps have started to drop off. Don't know what compression ratio is on my CK-35 is but my old International is 23 to 1 and the JD 655 I traded in was also 23 to 1. You should hear them rattle at 10 or 20 below zero when no heat was used. This is where a block heater is a must.
PS. The International won't start the first time even in the summer with out using the glow plugs. This is normal for them. Hope this helps, Ron.

 

[VictorW]

You mentioned that you wait for the glow plugs to cycle. When it fires up, is every cylinder firing? Do you have any black smoke from the exhaust? You had diesels before but thought worth asking. Maybe you have a problem with one of the glow plugs and that cylindre isn't firing especiall now that cooler days are here.

 

[RexB]

PA Hayseed, I have similar loud knocks for about 30 seconds after startup, outside temps are about 65F. The loud knocking stops after the engine began getting warm. My JD diesel does the same thing...

And a puff of black smoke right at startup -- that is mostly-uncombusted fuel from a cylinder before the compression fires it up, normal.

 

[PA hayseed]

Rex B - I talked to the dealer the other day, well, the service guy. He said to cycle the glow plugs, that they may not warm it enough. He said after the glow plug light goes out, to turn the key a little more for about 10 seconds, and then turn the key over.

I tried this several times, and it seemed to cure it. Can't believe that I would need to do this. Maybe Kioti didn't plan the length of time the glow plugs run, I don't know.

now to go find a fuel pump for 55 gal drum, other thread.

 

[Highbeam]

For the 55 gallon drum I use a rotary cast iron hand pump from Harbor Freight. It cost 11$ and works exceedingly well. My first barrel of fuel paid for the pump, barrel, tubing and fittings with change left over. The savings for off-road diesel are significant in WA.

I pump fuel into 5 gallon jugs along with the PS additive and then pour them into the tractor. I like to top off the tank every day and I kept overfilling if I just filled the tractor from the barrel.