3204 hard starting

[Zach Scherf]

Ok guys we have a cat 920 wheel loader with a 3204 diesel motor in it and it used to start very easily but now you have to shoot it with either but once you get it going it'll run perfectly fine no problem and it'll start back up just fine no problem if you try within about an hour or so. What could be the problem? I hate using ether but we use it daily for feeding cows. Any suggestions as what could be wrong? Please and thanks
 

[Ron 1456]

Valve adjustment could be the problem.
 

[Zach Scherf]

Could that be a problem that suddenly appears after running good for around 300 hours after a rebuild?
 

[Model A Man]

she's droping the fuel check your lines and filters for leaks
 

[Stick welding]

Did you check the injectors when it was rebuilt? I also agree it could have a tiny fuel leak and loosing just enough fuel to lose it's prime.
 

[dpendzic]

I have a 3204 and it just doesn't like to start if it drops down to the 30's. Cat manual says to use a 2 second burst of either to start it. Most of the D3B dozers came with either injection system
 

[Stick welding]

Use the ether while cranking! It helps to speed the throttle up a bit too. My 931B won't keep running at idle until it warms up.
 

[Farmerford]

My D3B with a 3204 is the same way. If it 50 deg F or so the batteries have to be fully charged for it to start. At 40 it takes fully charged batteries and ether from the on-board system.