Our "new" 186D

[buckstar25]

It I star shaped, thanks for the link/video that is a big help!

 

[JCByrd24]

Those funny shaped shafts are common and as long as the mating end you get from TSC has the standard 6 spline shaft to mate with your PTO shaft you will be fine.

 

[buckstar25]

Well we finally got a day to take the tiller out and break it in. Let me say I have never ran a tractor with a tiller on it so I can't compare the yanmar to anything, but the thing did exactly what I have read and expected it to do. What a BEAST! Only issue we had was dad using it as a stump grinder which resulted in a stalled tractor. What a dust storm we had goin! I made a few shallow passes in the middle of the plot and gradually got deeper, all in all had to go over the plot twice. I am covered with poison ivy today because that's all we were filling through! Oh! Thanks again for the video and tips on cutting the shaft, we used it and took 2" of each to make it fit. Ok now here are some pics and videos...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvDQPVHnh64&feature=youtube_gdata_player















http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEfXi0u46gQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[buckstar25]

Ok, since the colder weather has arrived I want to make sure we got everything covered. We got the manuals, we have the garage space. We don't have the experience in winterizing a tractor.

Even at 45 degrees I almost freaked out when we were tryin to start the tractor. Is it normal for the 186D to be a cold blooded son of gun!? Thick smoke and all had me scared when we were starting it!

I understand the unburnt fuel, but just want to see if its normal for a Diesel engine to puke smoke when it's cold. When we let it warmup for the reccomended 5 minutes the tractor runs great. Only smoke is at initial start. Should we be using the compression release and is 10-15 seconds too short a time to allow the old glow plugs to work? Should we buy a block heater for cold weather?

Just a few questions, I'm sure ill think of more.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I turn the key to TS and count to 20...Then I turn the key to start while holding the compression release out.....once the oil light goes out I push the comp release in and ba boom...we have ignition....actually sometime it starts kind of before the compression release goes in

 

[careyo63]

Ditto. Just make sure there is fuel in the Reservoir. I only have to hold mine on for about 10 sec. since the Temp. rarely even drops below Freezing Here in Ga. Im org. from WV. and OH. and knowing the Temp. in the Winter your going to get good at Starting it.

 

[clemsonfor]

yea smoke and stuff is common on a deisel. There hard starting when cold. You can use the Tstart. I would hold the comp release open to build oil pressure but it also help warm up the cylinders with the movement in them.

 

[buckstar25]

Ok, so let me make sure I am understanding the process. If using the compression release and Tstart, I hold the key for at least 20 seconds. While still holding release I immediately turn the engine over?

 

[careyo63]

Yep! You don't have to hold the Comp. Release open until you start to turn the Eng. over. Watch for the Oil light to go out and then release it. I don't have to but I believe Yanmar recomends to hold the fuel wide open.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Yes...hold the comp release out while turning over. Once the oil pressure light turns off - meaning you have built pressure up, push the comp release in while still cranking and it should fire right up. Also, strong battery and good clean ground connection.

 

[buckstar25]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips! I missed the oils pressure light, and I was afraid to hold the fuel wide open! I am too cautious I guess!!!

I gotta get all sentimental now, but for what it's worth this forum is one of the best if not the best forum I have ever dealt with. I have never been steered in the wrong direction, my "status" on the forum doesn't seem to matter when I ask for some tips and advice. I have learned a ton just from keeping this thread handy! Thanks again for all the help it is greatly appreciated!!

 

[California]

I have found that excessive use of the Thermostart is what makes those clouds of exhaust fumes.

So far I've only had to start my YM186D down to 45 degrees but it starts instantly at that temperature.

My procedure: Throttle at zero. Pull the compression release and crank about 10 seconds; more at even lower temperatures. This cranking warms the cylinders from friction and also, because the Thermostart is wired to the starter circuit, provides the first few seconds to warm the Thermostart heating module.

Then twist key left for 5 seconds (that's all mine needs) to further warm the Thermostart. It is emitting diesel vapor, or flame, during these first two stages so this fuel will show as smoke a moment later.

Finally pull the compression release again, move throttle to 100% (as recommended in the manual) and start cranking. After the engine is spinning fast, about one second, drop the compression release and keep cranking. The inertia of the spinning flywheel assists the starter motor here.

The moment it fires, pull the throttle back to 1500 rpm and warm up at that speed for 5 minutes (recommended in the manual) or a couple of minutes (what everybody really does).

Also - Power Service, gray bottle, will make it start easier but use the moderate, not extreme (double) recommended proportion. If fuel can freeze in your climate then you need white-bottle Power Service instead.

 

[Pete Judd]

I use the same procedure as Cal, I find at 45 or lower, have to use the TS. I have started mine that way down to 10 above. DON"T use starting fluid, it will ruin the engine. I used Cal's method just this AM as the temp dropped to 28.

 

[careyo63]

I turn on the TS. first for two reasons. 1. To warm the air in the intake. and 2. Get the TS. hot so when your using the Decompression and waiting for the Oil Pressure to come up it's Warming the Eng. Cyls. with Hot air. It only takes my 2000 will say on average a count to 5 for my Oil Pressure to come up so IMHO thats not enough time for the TS. Element to even get hot. Unless you pre heat it. To each his own but my 2000 Starts just fine without the TS until it drops. in the Mid. to Low 30's. My Reservoir was missing come to find out after I bought it but my TS. worked fine after I wired it up. I Ghetto Rigged a quick connect reservoir that I have only had to use Maybe a handful of times in 5 yrs. here in Ga.

 

[clemsonfor]

Man it takes mine about a 15 count on a cold engine to make the oil light go out. In the summer from a 4 week or so sitting it may take 12-13 seconds?

I dont have any fuel in my tstart. NOt used it since i realized i needed fuel in it. Anyway i had one failed attemp a few years ago to strat around 33F. It probly was my fault as soon as i heard it fire i stopped, them manual says to crank untill its running, on a cold deisel you can get compression and fire but not have it catch. I think this was the problem, anyway a quick second attempt started it no trouble.

 

[buckstar25]

Block heater? Is it really as bad as I have read? Read a thread on how a custom breaker bar was needed to get the plug out.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I have tried to get my block heater access plug off with my impact wrench...with no luck. I may have to make my own square socket and breaker bar. It's square and measures about 3/4" across. I am just worried I may break the block somehow.

 

[clemsonfor]

I have tried to get my block heater access plug off with my impact wrench...with no luck. I may have to make my own square socket and breaker bar. It's square and measures about 3/4" across. I am just worried I may break the block somehow.

I wouldn't mess with the dam thing. Its not worth the risk of stripping I or busting it off in there. I would just use a stick on heater no matter how worthless they say they are

 

[BC Dave]

I wouldn't mess with the dam thing. Its not worth the risk of stripping I or busting it off in there. I would just use a stick on heater no matter how worthless they say they are

hey I'v had good sucess with a small 200W oil pan heater; one problem is it doesnt fit on the bottom of the oil pan so stick it on the side, and get as much contact as possible; also I put a tarp over the front nd sides of the engine to contain the heat; 1 hr or less seems to help starting plenty at -10C (10-20F). I use the thermal start technique outlined above. And use a winter deisel storage stabilizer / conditioner. And put the battery on the charger; and it helps to have a warm battery.