Small diesels - how much maintenance?

davesisk · May 19, 2005

( One great thing about the diesel is that if you let it sit for a long period of time, you're not going to have the same problems as with gas. No varnishing up needing a major clean out etc. Just put the juice to it, start it and go. John )

That's quite encouraging...one of the annoyances I have now is that I use the PT maybe one weekend a month on the average...at that rate, it can be quite temperamental to get started. I realize diesels can be more difficult to start than a gasoline engine in general, but I'm not sure that applies in this case, particularly in colder weather. The PT design has the engine turning two hydraulic pumps (one variable displacement HST pump and one gear pump) even on startup...there's no clutch or neutral gear. There's some things I really like about this design (simplicity for one), but needless to say, my old machine doesn't start well when it's 30 degrees outside and that oil is cold and thick! Even if the diesel is a little harder to start by itself, it ain't turning against nothing but itself in neutral.

Dave

KiotiJohn · May 19, 2005

( Even if the diesel is a little harder to start by itself, it ain't turning against nothing but itself in neutral. )
Not to mention that glow plugs or block heaters usually keep diesels starting just fine in VERY cold weather too.
I just love being able to leave an engine to over winter (not that I have to here in FL) and come back and start it right up without having to clean out a carb!
John

RalphVa · May 19, 2005

The thing I like about diesels (and have both car and tractor ones) is they start instantly (after glowing the required amount, usually 1-2 seconds now and 5 in the winter;
none after being started and warmed). Never touched either of my 2 diesel car's injection or glow plug stuff. Always worked.

My neighbor has a 30 year old JD 820 that the injection pump was giving her trouble on. They've replaced a screw and a little ball in it; now it works fine. Since her husband died about 4 years ago and even the 4 years while he lingered, that tractor got used by any and everyone, and even her husband apparently didn't maintain it well. The hour meter/rpm and fuel gauges don't work.

I'm just now going through the 50 hour maintenance on my JD 4010. They put the fuel filter in behind the FEL hydraulic coupler points. Haven't figured out how to get that ring unscrewed that drops the bowl and filter yet. Changed my neighbor's dual filters and bowls on her JD 820 twice and have changed the fuel filter on my Benzes many times. No problems and easy to get to on those.

Both my JD 4010 and Gravely with 12 hp Kohler engine are rated for 0.8 gallon/hr fuel usage. The Kohler uses it. The JD only uses typically 0.5 gallon/hr, and it's 50% more hp.

Ralph

Soundguy · May 20, 2005

( Not to mention that glow plugs or block heaters usually keep diesels starting just fine in VERY cold weather too.
I just love being able to leave an engine to over winter )

I agree. most newer diesels are pretty robust starters. My old yanmar sometimes gave a fit in the cold.. but no more than the old gas jobs i love so much. my newer diesels started with no problems..

Soundguy

Highbeam · May 20, 2005

Even my old 1972 international 3 cylinder diesel with NO glow plugs starts up without any extra effort down to ambient temps of 35. I never have tried any colder. It will puff a little more smoke than usual but it doesn't need to be preheated or ethered.

KiotiJohn · May 20, 2005

( It will puff a little more smoke than usual but it doesn't need to be preheated or ethered. )
Ether + Diesel = burned/warped/ruined
Some will argue that it's okay, but it's not.
I'm glad you don't have to use ether on your diesel. You may get away with it sometimes, but it only takes once. It's just too volatile for a diesel engine.
John

JerryG · May 20, 2005

Ether + Diesel = burned/warped/ruined
Some will argue that it's okay, but it's not. 
Someone needs to tell that to the major manufactures that install either injection systems on from the factory.

RalphVa · May 20, 2005

My neighbor's 1970ish JD 820 3 cylinder diesel has an ether injection port. That thing will usually start first turn down to around 40 F, without ether. It's direct injection: no glow plugs.

Ralph

Jagmandave · May 20, 2005

They'll also take quite a bit of abuse, when I got my Yanmar I found the air filter housing 1/2 full of fine silt, it ran fine until then too! The fuel filter bowl was also 1/2 full of mud, so I wouldn't worry about keeping it running. Routine maint will keep her going for a very long time. As to the noise, my Yanmar is a 3 cyl, and it's quieter than my 2 cyl gas engined ZTR, so I agree that if you buy one of the newer multi cyl diesels, you won't have a problem with noise either. Good luck, hope you find something great, of course when you do, it's just the beginning of your purchases. You'll also want an FEL, boxblade, scraper blade and maybe many more..............

Highbeam · May 20, 2005

Yeah, the international I speak of was originally equipped with an ether injection system with a dash push-button for squirting directly into the intake tube. The system was not complete so I removed it. I have never used ether in a diesel, hope to never have to.

I have been warned not to purchase a tractor with a half used can of ether under the seat or in the tool box.