TC29D after start run up

[ericinmich]

I have a '01ish 29D that I bough used over a year ago. This was my first winters use and I had a question on how mine starts. Also, being my first diesel anything, I'm not sure what to expect.

To preface, I usually shut the tractor off at a throttle setting of about 1400 rpm. This seems to be a good place for the next start. Also, the tractor is not outside, so the coldest start it's seen is about 20deg F.

I key on and let the glow plugs time out, then crank. It usually fires up right away (0.5 sec), but it seems to be not running on all for a few seconds. What I would call partialling. After the few seconds are up and it's smooth, I throttle down a bit and let it idle to warm up the fluids.

My question is if the 'partialling' (is it a word?) is normal. If not, should I worry, or start looking do to some preventitve maintance (inj pump cleaner, etc?).

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

[dqdave1]

My TC 29 does the same thing; It will stall if it is colder than 20 degrees. I hold the glow plugs a little longer than the light on colder days; it seems to help. Even after the glo plug light goes out the plugs are still on. Mine actually starts better at a lower throttle position when cold.

 

[daTeacha]

Are you guys using No. 1 or No. 2 diesel in the colder weather? How many hours do the engines have on them? When was the fuel filter changed last?

Sorry for the inquisition, but I just ordered a DX 29 and brought the manual home to read. Those are some of the things they seemed to stress.

 

[davcon]

I have an 03 TC29 that sits outside and sees about the same temp as yours. On the first try it spits and sputters and ususally dies. The second time around it clears up pretty fast and idles fine. I called the dealer and the response was "they all do that". I use whatever diesel the local service station has. I think its something we have to live with.
Dave

 

[dqdave1]

My TC 29 is a 1999 with 1100 hours on it. My dealer does all the maintainance on it. Goes to him every 100 hours. I agree with you that they all do it. Mine has since new; I really never gave it a second thought till this post. I figured that the engine was colder than normal and it was typical of the engine. You are right that if it stalls , it will start right back up and be fine. I do not have a block heater and my dealer told me if I install one it will help a great deal. Mine sits in a 45 degree garage so I never installed it but when I order a new one it will have a block heater.

 

[ericinmich]

Thanks for the quick reply. Sounds like everything is normal. I will sometimes get a stall, and then a start but most of the time I can catch it on the first start with a bit more/less throttle.

I use road pump diesel, which I think is #2 unless noted.

- Eric

 

[daTeacha]

I use whatever is in the offroad pump. With my old Kubota and the slow glow plugs, starting takes quite a bit more than the new ones.

The offroad fuel is about 43 cents cheaper. Use it if you can find it and save a couple of bucks per tank. The pump runs a lot slower, too so it's easier to fill my fuel can without spilling the stuff all over.

 

[thcri]

Eric,

My TC29D kind of starts rough too. But I found the best thing when it is that cold is to hold the glow plugs on even after the light goes out for about 15 seconds. Then back off and then hit them again for about 10 and it will make a major difference in starting. Just remember even if the light is out your plugs on still on.


murph

 

[jbrumberg]

Eric:
I got a brand new TC29DA last fall. I keep my tractor outside. I had an engine block heater installed. I plug in the heater when temperatures are below 32 degrees and warm the block 1 - 3 hours depending on the temperature. The longer I preheat the quicker and easier the tractor starts and without "partialling". When temperatures are above 32 I just use the glow plugs Depending on the temperature the tractor may "partial" initially upon start up. I believe this is characteristic of all diesel tractors. My old Ford 1100 was a bear to start without the engine block heater (2 vs 3 cylinders). I also believe fuel type is a factor- use #2 above 40 degrees and #1 below 40. Jay

 

[daTeacha]

Murph -- I only have the manual for my new DX-29, not the tractor (yet /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) so that's all I have to go by. I've been reading the thing quite a bit, just dreaming I guess. Anyways, the manual says that the pre-heat is auto-timed. When the light goes out, so does the power to the glow plugs.

This is on a '05 production model. I have to wonder why they might have changed it first of all and secondly, if I need to restart or it doesn't want to start when cold, according to the book I will need to switch the plugs off and back on each time. Is there any kind of sensor that limits the amount of heating you can do other than the timer? With the quick heating plugs, can you heat them too much and cause some damage to the plugs?