Ford 1600 diesel won't start

[chewey]

I know there have many posts like this but I think my issue is a little different. I have a 1978 Ford 1600 diesel - 2 cylinder. I started it up last weekend and started right up as usual. I always let it warm up a bit and after a bit I went to get on it and my knee accidently hit the throttle off and of course it died. Since then I have not been able to get it started. It will turn over with black smoke coming out. So it is getting fuel but I bled the lines, etc just in case. I don't want to use ether if I can avoid it. It doesn't even sound like it wants to start. How do I know if the starter is turning it over fast enough? How can something go wrong so fast?Ran great one minute - not at all the next. Help and thanks.
 

[Fritz Maurer]

If it's puffing black smoke, fuel delivery is not a problem. What it sounds like to me a hydraulic load is putting a load on the engine as it starts to turn, and the starter can't quite overcome it enough to get the engine rolling fast enough to start.
 

[Jerry/MT]

All that black smoke sounds like a plugged air filter(lots of fuel not enough air). It should have nothing to do with the accidental shut off.
 

[RodinNS]

I know it's making smoke and all that... but just change the fuel filter and make sure you've got a good strong flow from the tank.
I'd also check to make sure that you've got power to the glow plugs.... and mabey replace the glow plugs if they're even a bit suspect. I don't know about that one specifically... but most of the older ISM engines I've seen need a decent heat even if the engine is warm...
To me... most signs would point to non functioning glow plugs if you have a lot of black smoke and no start..

Rod
 

[Tx Jim]

I agree with Rod in it being a glow plug problem. I'd advise checking for electricity and for how long at the GP.
 

[chewey]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will check on the glow plugs this weekend. I do not think there is a load on the motor that is keeping it from turning over fast enough. I think the starter is original so it is 25 years old. But what I can"t figure out is how fast does the motor need to turn over to start?

Also I noticed that the ground wire off the battery gets warm when I am cranking it over for a time. All the connections are solid - what causes this and can the issues be related? Thanks again.
 

[Jerry/MT]

make sure you have a good ground connection (clean and bright at the chasis connection) and that your cables and terminals are not corroded and of the correct size.
 

[Dave O'Brien]

Had a similar problem with mine after it had been sitting for a while. Went to start it about a month ago. The air cleaner (oil bath) got rain in it and had frozen.
 

[Fritz Maurer]

If it's puffing black smoke, the fuel is already burned. The glow plugs are not the problem. If it was already running before you accidentally shut it off, I think the air cleaner is at least clear enough to start. If it is puffing black smoke, it is firing. Something is preventing the engine from spinning above cranking speed. Yes, it is quite natural for the battery cable to get hot in this situation, especially if the cable is undersize.
 

[Shoepeg]

Make sure the batt voltage is up to snuff. Put it on trickle charge for a while. When you go to crank it, wrap a gas rag around the breather. It's not as bad as ether but will help kick her off.