question on starting BX2200

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

This is the first deisel I have ever owned so I am shooting in the dark here. Is it normal for the tractor to start and run for a few seconds and then stall 3 or 4 times before it finally catches and stays running? When it does stay running I get quite a bit of dark smoke for a few seconds. This is only when starting with a cold engine. It starts quickly when warm and without the smoke. I am pretty sure I am following the instructions properly. Throttle set about 1/2, turn to glow for about 10 seconds, turn to start. With the key in the glow position I hear a ticking that sounds kind of like a clock. Is that possibly injectors? Maybe this explains the smoke? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

techman · Mar 16, 2003

rbaker:

Usually once mine starts, it doesn't stall like you described. If it's as cold there as I think, you should be holding the glow a bit longer. The colder it is, the longer you should glow. At 20 deg or so I hold the glow on for 20 to 30 seconds. That may help keep it from stalling after it starts. As far as the black smoke, you will get that all year round. Only a few puffs in the summer, up to 30 seconds of smoke and sputtering when it is in the teens. That is "normal" diesel.

The sounds you hear could be either the electric fuel pump, or if it is a more rhythmic tick every 5 or 10 seconds, you were right when you said it sounds like a clock, because it is the timed action of the running time meter.

paul

Rick Jay · Mar 16, 2003

I wouldn't think a new tractor should stall like that. I've never had to engage the glowplugs for longer than 10 seconds (on my B2910) this winter on the coldest of days (low teens). I do put a magnetic block heater on the oil pan 3-4 hours before I try to start it when temps are below 32 degrees F. My tractor has never stalled after starting.

Is your fuel winterized and/or free of water or other contaminants?

~Rick

nitronut1 · Mar 16, 2003

The ticking you hear is the fuel pump; that's normal.

Try starting it with the throttle fully closed (idle position) - not 1/2 and use the glow plugs as you described above. My manual does not say to use any throttle when starting. I use the glow plugs and it starts just fine - at idle.

Gregg

chrisjbell · Mar 16, 2003

Yeah, like Gregg said... I use the glow plugs for about 10 seconds, but have always started mine with a closed throttle. Mine has never stalled once it has started - stalling is definately not right.

The manual for my tractor (a B7300) says to keep the throttle off. I don't know of many engines ('cept two strokes) where you're supposed to apply throttle to start it, unless it is flooded. That is what chokes are for on gas motors....

chocolatehauler · Mar 16, 2003

DITO for not opening the throttle. smoke is normal . If I don't glow mine long enough it will start and stall. or not start at all and just make smoke. a block heater is a good investment in cold weather. oil flow ect. good luck and have fun. I sure am /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 16, 2003

rbaker,

On page 18 of the BX 2200manual, step 5 set throttle lever to about 1/2 way, it goes on to say on page 19, step 7, to hold key to preheat for 10 seconds is temp is 23-5F.

I also had a problem starting when it was 0-10F, regardless if I had the throttle set half or did not move it. I found the longer I held the preheater on .i.e. 20 seconds, and cranked the engine for about 5-10 secs, the better it started and ran without shutting down. I have a block heater on order which I will install before next winter to solve the problem. $30 for the heater was a good insurance to longer life for the engine I think. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Regards

kyoders · Mar 16, 2003

Robert,

Are you certain that you are holding the key over far enough to actually engage the glow plugs? Just turning the key to the first position isn't enough. Mine started doing this when the weather got cold, then kept on doing it as things warmed up. It was behaving the way you describe.

I asked the dealer about it and he had me try a few things; no difference. I went back, and he demonstrated on a few other machines how it should start in the temperatures we were having. It turns out I was not holding the key over far enough to actually engage the glow plugs. If you don't see the light on the dash come on, it's not far enough. Anyway, now that I know how to actually do it, mine starts first time and keeps running just fine.

Not that you are as clueless as I was, but thought it worth a mention (and confession is good for the soul).

Kevin

cnoel · Mar 16, 2003

If by "stalling" you mean dying, its probably not real normal, but if its just gagging and sputtering it probably is. Personally I would not put it upp to 1/2 throttle, maybe just a touch over idle. The BX's are a bit cold blooded compared to the other Bota's, probably because there's no clutch to disengage your hydro pump. One trick that works well on all the tractors with the "glow" position in the same direction as the "start" position is to turn the key back to "glow" after it is started and continue to heat the chambers until the engine is running smooth.

chrisinknox · Mar 16, 2003

For what it's worth, I have a B7400 and it doesn't have a block heater and I started it when it had sat for about a month without heat at very cold temps,...it never stalled on me. I don't understand why the manual would want you to use any throttle at all on startup,(it can't be good for the seals, but then again I'm not a mechanic) All I've ever done is spin the motor over with the fuel shut off to move the oil around then hit the glow plugs for 10-15sec. and with the throttle off, turn it on, and in two years it's never stalled. You might also want to keep the clutch in when it's trying to idle, that way the engine doesn't have to turn the trans. the less load you put on the motor when it's cold the better.,....for what it's worth ( by the way, when I say it was cold, I mean it was cold, like -10f,.brrrrr)

kevkubota · Mar 16, 2003

The block heater makes a huge difference in "very cold" weather starting on the bx2000. I would recommend one! Like yourself, I read and followed the manaul, which says 1/2 throttle and hold glow for 10-15 secs. My tractor stalled like you described when i first got it, so i called my dealer. He suggested no throttle and count to 30 slowly (not quickly as if you were playing hide and go seek!), then it should turn over every time. Since then it has started perfectly for me....even on days that i didnt use the block heater. Hope this helps...Kevin

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

The manual also says to warm it up for at least 30 minutes at half throttle. I wonder it there is not enough oil circulation at low throttle.

My BX2200 starts very easy, even when very cold.

John

Anonymous Poster · Mar 16, 2003

Thanks to you all for your ideas and thoughts. I read them all carefully. The manual does say half throttle to start but like a lot of you this makes me uncomfortable so I think I will try going back to no/ slight throttle for starting. I'm not sure if I am holding the glow position long enoughbut will try holding it longer and watch for the light on the dash.

Someone described "sputtering" as opposed to stalling and that could be a more acurate description of what I'm experiencing. As far as fuel is concerned, I don't know about the quality because the tractor is brand new and the fuel was supplied by the dealer. I suspect it's on the road #2 because that is what he told me to use.

The temp overnight was between 20 and 30 F but it even happened after letting the tractor sit for 3 hours in the 30's.

It's probably just operator error, I'll try the tips you all provided and let you knowhow I make out.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 17, 2003

Bob,

We had someone on TBN not to long ago, have starting problems with a new BX and it trned out the glow plugs were not workng. You may want to call the dealer and have them check it out.

Regards

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

I would also suggest a discussion with the dealer, 'cause that dosen't sound right to me. I start my BX with the throttle completely closed. I hit the plugs for a few seconds and it starts and just idles smoothly without any other further attention to the throttle. I has started like this even in the recent VERY cold temps without the use of the block heater. (forgot to plug it in!)

Ken

kyoders · Mar 17, 2003

John,

Apparently I haven't read the manual as well as I should have. 30 minutes seems like an awful long time. I usually give it util the temp gauge comes up above the lowest mark. By the time I get to where I am going to do anything (a few minutes), it has come up to where it normally operates at. Is this for extremely low temperatures? We don't get below 20F very often, and usually right around freezing during most of the winter.

Kevin

techman · Mar 17, 2003

rbarker:

One more thought on this for you. I saw that a lot of posters prefer not to leave the throttle 1/2 opened like the manual suggests. Due to the way a diesel injection pump works, you can never "flood" the engine like a gas engine. Also you should have some throttle opening above idle. At idle the injection pump may allow only minimal fuel to be injected, which could make starting a bit tougher. Anything over idle, the pump will go to full delivery until the engine starts since the fule delivery is controlled directly by a governor, so no speed will give near full throttle.

I have found that on mornings that are below 20 degrees, if set to idle, the engine will sputter and quit because there is just not enough fuel to get it kicked off. A little throttle opening, 1/4 or so, is enough to get it humming once it starts up. BTW I do not have a block heater, and it sits in an outdoor shed/barn, so it is as cold at the ambient.

As far as fuel, I use heating oil. It's listed as "dyed #2 diesel". Works fine, even in the single digits and teens, and is a lot cheaper than road diesel these days.

paul

cup149 · Mar 17, 2003

The first day I had my BX2200, I did the same as kyoders . I turned the key to the first click and thought I had turned on the glow plugs, but quickly found you have to turn it further agaist the spring to get the yellow glow plug indicator to illuminate. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Steven · Mar 17, 2003

that clicking is your hour meter counting off time. you can use these as a timer to tell you how long glow plugs have been on. you can use a watch to count off clicks for a set glow warm up time, then every time you start just count the clicks and at the set amount fire her up..

Anonymous Poster · Mar 17, 2003

Well I talked to the dealer today and he said... start it a full throttle /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif and crank it back down once it starts. Make sure you hold the glow plugs on for 8 or 10 seconds. I chose a diffenent tack and left the throttle at idle but made sure that the glows were on for a slow 10 count. Sucker fired right up without hesitation or black soot. Of course, ity was sitting in the sun in 60 degree temps all day today but I think that's the answer. I did not engage the glow plugs long enough.

Thanks all!