TB100 cold starting problem

livesprings · Feb 11, 2011

Boy, oh boy. I have a 2006 TB100 MFWD that does not like to start when temps get below 15 degree ish. Actually it will not start. New Battery / Alternator (for other reasons), treated diesel fuel. It runs great until winter. I kind of think that even at 15 degrees it should start w/out a block heater. When it warms up a little, it starts right up. I probably need a block heater. Do I need to get the tractor to the mechanic to install, or perhaps it isnt too big of a job...
Thanks for any input.

Jbrink64 · Feb 12, 2011

Did you check if the intake manifold heater is working?

livesprings · Feb 12, 2011

I guess I just assumed that the glo-plugs/thermostart were working. The light on the dash comes on when I hold the key in the "pre-heat" position. I will go see if I can feel the manifold warming up.
When it gets cold, it does not even really turn over one full crank. It just sounds real week and then almost sounds like the battery is dead, though it is not even close. Like I said, when it warms up, everything is great.
Thanks

Jerry/MT · Feb 12, 2011

livesprings said:
I guess I just assumed that the glo-plugs/thermostart were working. The light on the dash comes on when I hold the key in the "pre-heat" position. I will go see if I can feel the manifold warming up.
When it gets cold, it does not even really turn over one full crank. It just sounds real week and then almost sounds like the battery is dead, though it is not even close. Like I said, when it warms up, everything is great.
Thanks

There are at least three things working aginst a diesel in cold weather. They are hard to crank because of the compression ratio and the high viscosity of cold oil, the fuel ignites by the high temperature caused by the compession of the air charge in the cylinder and that temperature is reduced by the low ambient inlet temperature and the cold cylinder wall. Finally, the battery performance is degraded by lower temperatures.

What oil are you using and what temps are youtrying to start in? I use 15W40and I have to start sometimes at -20F. Have you had your starter checked out? Is your charging system worknig properly? How old is the battery?

I personally haven't had much luck with the Thermostart system when the ambients get below ~+20F. Our diesel tractors start on the first turn with a block heater that's been on for two hours.(Ours are on timer to to go on 2 hrs before we feed the cows.) You can also use a battery heater to boost the battery output in cold weather, but the block heater allows you to start even with degraded battery performance.

Block heaters are pretty easy to install if you have good access to the core plug where they are supposed to go. You'll have to drain the cooling system and that generally takes longer then the actual installation of the block heater.
In my opinion they should come standard on any diesel tractor period. if you're in warm country you just don't have to use them.