Farmall 826 Hard starting

[Ferguson Farmer]

I recently bought a farmall 826 tractor. It starts hard, to the point where it will only start with starting fluid. When I use it I give it the smallest amount possible and it takes right off. It smokes and wet stacks. Could the injection pump timing be off? The previous owner removed it a few years ago and had it rebuilt by a reputable nearby shop. He claims that it is correctly timed but I’m not sure if it really is. I pull the fuel shutoff out until it just about touches the plunger in the pump to help it start, like stated in the manual and in other forums. It has two new 12v batteries wired in parallel. It’s a tight sounding and good running engine otherwise.

 

[used red MN]

I recently bought a farmall 826 tractor. It starts hard, to the point where it will only start with starting fluid. When I use it I give it the smallest amount possible and it takes right off. It smokes and wet stacks. Could the injection pump timing be off? The previous owner removed it a few years ago and had it rebuilt by a reputable nearby shop. He claims that it is correctly timed but I’m not sure if it really is. I pull the fuel shutoff out until it just about touches the plunger in the pump to help it start, like stated in the manual and in other forums. It has two new 12v batteries wired in parallel. It’s a tight sounding and good running engine otherwise.

Nature of the beast, 60F or below give it a little sniff, 40F or below plug it in.

 

[Powered By IH]

I recently bought a farmall 826 tractor. It starts hard, to the point where it will only start with starting fluid. When I use it I give it the smallest amount possible and it takes right off. It smokes and wet stacks. Could the injection pump timing be off? The previous owner removed it a few years ago and had it rebuilt by a reputable nearby shop. He claims that it is correctly timed but I’m not sure if it really is. I pull the fuel shutoff out until it just about touches the plunger in the pump to help it start, like stated in the manual and in other forums. It has two new 12v batteries wired in parallel. It’s a tight sounding and good running engine otherwise.

What temperature are you talking about when you start it? Does it always start like that, even in summer?
It IS normal for those German diesels to smoke until fully up to temp. The wet stacking might be a part of that if you are just running the tractor with little to no load especially in wintertime.
It would be nice to have more context for the situation though.

 

[Ferguson Farmer]

What temperature are you talking about when you start it? Does it always start like that, even in summer?
It IS normal for those German diesels to smoke until fully up to temp. The wet stacking might be a part of that if you are just running the tractor with little to no load especially in wintertime.
It would be nice to have more context for the situation though.

I only had it for about a month or so. I’m in the Midwest so it’s colder right now. I started it one day somewhere around 45 degrees. I understand that it may need it because of the cold but I’m still concerned. It doesn’t seem to put out as much smoke as other diesel tractors when cranking it before it’s started. I’d just hate to cause any damage from using starting fluid.

 

[NDIHC]

If you want to forego the starting fluid just install a tank heater and plug it in for a bit before starting. At 45 I wouldn't think it would take more than a half hour.

 

[Ferguson Farmer]

If you want to forego the starting fluid just install a tank heater and plug it in for a bit before starting. At 45 I wouldn't think it would take more than a half hour.

I plan on installing one soon.

 

[used red MN]

I’d just hate to cause any damage from using starting fluid.

It will harm nothing if you don’t over dose it and make it sound like a hammering machine gun for over 5 seconds. The “ether damage” card is way overplayed on these forums. What are you using it for? I can understand trying to start it when it is colder just to see how it does since you just got it. But if your not going to warm it up and use it let her set and rest in the shed.

 

[Ferguson Farmer]

It will harm nothing if you don’t over dose it and make it sound like a hammering machine gun for over 5 seconds. The “ether damage” card is way overplayed on these forums. What are you using it for? I can understand trying to start it when it is colder just to see how it does since you just got it. But if your not going to warm it up and use it let her set and rest in the shed.

Right. I only start it if I have to. Like I plan on moving it to a different building so I can work on it.

 

[rrlund]

I had a 706. Absolutely the hardest starting diesel I ever owned. It had a coolant heater and glow plugs. Still wouldn't start in cool or cold weather. It involved plugging it in for a few hours then jumping it for ten minutes or so to start it. When it was cold enough to have to plug it in, I didn't bother with the glow plugs, just ethered it. It finally broke a sleeve and a piston went right through the water jacket. I sold it to a salvage yard for half what I paid for it. Turned me off completely from ever wanting another IH diesel.

I did read one time though, that you were supposed to use the glow plugs on those every time you started them, hot or cold. I had a 4040 Deere that was starting hard too. On that one, it was the lift pump not pushing fuel. I always wondered of that might have been some of the problem with that 706.

 

[used red MN]

Right. I only start it if I have to. Like I plan on moving it to a different building so I can work on it.

And as NDIHC said if you can’t sleep at night because you have to use ether to start it put the coolant heater on it and use it. Back when injection pressures were lower and compression ratios were lower and timing was less controlled many brands came with electric starting fluid dosers. A lot of those tractors that were started on ether ran a lot of hours with minimal problems.

 

[Ferguson Farmer]

I had a 706. Absolutely the hardest starting diesel I ever owned. It had a coolant heater and glow plugs. Still wouldn't start in cool or cold weather. It involved plugging it in for a few hours then jumping it for ten minutes or so to start it. When it was cold enough to have to plug it in, I didn't bother with the glow plugs, just ethered it. It finally broke a sleeve and a piston went right through the water jacket. I sold it to a salvage yard for half what I paid for it. Turned me off completely from ever wanting another IH diesel.

I believe that had the D-282 engine. My grandpa had a 560 with the D-282 and said it could be 65-70 degrees and still need the use of glow plugs otherwise forget starting it.

 

[Dieseltech]

I believe that had the D-282 engine. My grandpa had a 560 with the D-282 and said it could be 65-70 degrees and still need the use of glow plugs otherwise forget starting it.

The EARLY 706 had the D282 glow plug engine. The LATE 706 has the German IH Neuss D 310 direct injected diesel. The 826 has the Neuss D358 diesel.

 

[NDIHC]

I have NO experience whatsoever with the German or D282 diesels. I didn't know some of them were that hard starting. I have a D312 and a DT414 and those things will start pretty easily in the cold as long as you have a good battery. If it gets below about 20 or so I plug them in. I have never used the ether injector on either of them.

 

[Powered By IH]

I had a 706. Absolutely the hardest starting diesel I ever owned. It had a coolant heater and glow plugs. Still wouldn't start in cool or cold weather. It involved plugging it in for a few hours then jumping it for ten minutes or so to start it. When it was cold enough to have to plug it in, I didn't bother with the glow plugs, just ethered it. It finally broke a sleeve and a piston went right through the water jacket. I sold it to a salvage yard for half what I paid for it. Turned me off completely from ever wanting another IH diesel.

I did read one time though, that you were supposed to use the glow plugs on those every time you started them, hot or cold. I had a 4040 Deere that was starting hard too. On that one, it was the lift pump not pushing fuel. I always wondered of that might have been some of the problem with that 706.

@rrlund, I'm sorry you don't want an IH diesel. Many of them are very reliable with good maintenance and upkeep. But like any tractor, poor upkeep and operator error can and will ruin any tractor. Not just any one specific tractor or brand.

To answer your questions, those engines don't use a lift pump. They are gravity fed from the tank to the injection pump.
Those D-282 engines such as in your 706 require good batteries, cables, glow plug harnesses, and glow plugs. Many of the glow plugs and harnesses eventually fail which leads to your exact scenario. Replace those things and you would be good to go for any winter storm as long as you held the glow plug button for a minute. And yes, you are supposed to use the glow plugs every time you start them.

I really do appreciate your advice on Oliver tractors, and I hope that you appreciate mine and everybody else's on IH, even if you don't like the brand. But @Ferguson Farmer is asking for advice on an IH tractor, not how they are bad engines.

I hope I didn't offend you, because that was not my intention at all. I appreciate your advice on YT, but I just wanted to clarify some things.

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[Dieseltech]

I have a D282 in my 560 that will start fine at thirty degrees F with JUST the glow plugs 20 seconds heat time BUT engine has been gone through with ALL new head valve seats to get them closer to flush with the deck, raising the cold start compression heat. A TIRED/WORN diesel of most any make can be hard starting when cold. Mine has the faster heat glow plugs in it also to keep my thumb from getting sore holding in the glow plug switch button.

 

[560Dennis]

I say Don’t use starting fluid ,unless you want to go thru that engine. I’m just trying save you a lot of money .
I suggest you fix the problem . The fuel has to be vaporized to ignition . Turn the engine over three times to wet the glow plugs in precombustion chamber to get them wet with fuel . Then use the glow plug for 10 15+seconds to vaporize fuel ,then try to start engine. Engine will start in 15 to 20 seconds ,if not then it’s a problem with glow plugs ,compression,pump,or air supply .
I have a 1960+d282+that has 7000 + hours on it never overhauled , it will start in weather below freezing. With the above procedure.
I have timed all glow plugs that will turn incandescent in 8 to 10 seconds.
The pump was leaking ,was gone over 6 years ago by Heritage ,in Illinois. I did exactly what he told me ,time it ,remove pump to send it to him, he told how to install. That tractor will start and runs , even with blow by.

 

[used red MN]

I say Don’t use starting fluid ,unless you want to go thru that engine.

The 826 has the Neuss D358 diesel.

His tractor is an 826, the D358 is not an indirect injection glow plug engine. Although ether use is not for the “ideal plane” for a direct injection engine application, it is not to be avoided like the plague as it should be when relying on glow plugs in the combustion chamber to assist in cold cylinder ignition.

 

[560Dennis]

Pre ignition is very bad for a diesel engine using starting fluid . And the diesel starters.

 

[rrlund]

@rrlund, I'm sorry you don't want an IH diesel. Many of them are very reliable with good maintenance and upkeep. But like any tractor, poor upkeep and operator error can and will ruin any tractor. Not just any one specific tractor or brand.

To answer your questions, those engines don't use a lift pump. They are gravity fed from the tank to the injection pump.
Those D-282 engines such as in your 706 require good batteries, cables, glow plug harnesses, and glow plugs. Many of the glow plugs and harnesses eventually fail which leads to your exact scenario. Replace those things and you would be good to go for any winter storm as long as you held the glow plug button for a minute. And yes, you are supposed to use the glow plugs every time you start them.

I really do appreciate your advice on Oliver tractors, and I hope that you appreciate mine and everybody else's on IH, even if you don't like the brand. But @Ferguson Farmer is asking for advice on an IH tractor, not how they are bad engines.

I hope I didn't offend you, because that was not my intention at all. I appreciate your advice on YT, but I just wanted to clarify some things.

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@rrlund, I'm sorry you don't want an IH diesel. Many of them are very reliable with good maintenance and upkeep. But like any tractor, poor upkeep and operator error can and will ruin any tractor. Not just any one specific tractor or brand.

To answer your questions, those engines don't use a lift pump. They are gravity fed from the tank to the injection pump.
Those D-282 engines such as in your 706 require good batteries, cables, glow plug harnesses, and glow plugs. Many of the glow plugs and harnesses eventually fail which leads to your exact scenario. Replace those things and you would be good to go for any winter storm as long as you held the glow plug button for a minute. And yes, you are supposed to use the glow plugs every time you start them.

I really do appreciate your advice on Oliver tractors, and I hope that you appreciate mine and everybody else's on IH, even if you don't like the brand. But @Ferguson Farmer is asking for advice on an IH tractor, not how they are bad engines.

I hope I didn't offend you, because that was not my intention at all. I appreciate your advice on YT, but I just wanted to clarify some things.

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The main point I was trying to make in my too long winded kind of way was addressing using either. No, just spraying it in the general direction of the air cleaner once in a great while when it's absolutely necessary probably won't do any harm. I'm not saying I'll never do it, but I try to keep the diesels that I use in cold weather maintained so I don't have to. I know how much either I shot in to that hard starting SOB though, and I'll always be convinced that's what broke the sleeve. It finally started that January day, rattled and then started blowing coolant right out of the muffler.

That tractor was well worn when I bought it off a neighborhood potato farm in 79. Everybody and their brother had driven it and it had never seen a roof over it.

If it's any consolation, I feel the same way about Oliver Waukesha diesels. They were a good engine (Except the 310 in the 1855) when it comes to being a solid, long lasting engine, but unless everything was right up to par and adjusted just right, you'd better get out the ether or a chain and another tractor. If you've got one of those that starts good, don't touch anything, you've got it, leave it alone.

 

[m16ty]

It wouldn’t hurt to check your timing. When I got my 806 it was really hard starting, I checked the timing and it was way off, so much so I’m surprised it even ran. Now it starts pretty well for a old diesel.