JD 1530 Slow starting when cold

[Ken Warren]

I have a JD 1530 diesel that is garage kept. It takes at least 1 or 2 minutes of cranking to get it to start. Do I have a leak in my fuel line that is slowly loosing pressure or something ?

Thanks,

Ken

 

[RobMD]

You could have an air leak, but how's the fuel filter?

How many hours does this thing have on it?

How cold does it have to be before it doesn't start?

What's the battery situation- old or newer? how's the cables? free of corrosion?

 

[Ken Warren]

I have not changed the fuel filter. I'm afraid I will not get it bled and it will not start. Are they hard to change ?

Batteries are new.
If it sits overnight I have this problem. Still 55-65 degrees though. A few hours does not matter so much.


Thanks for the help.


Ken

 

[Mike M]

My uncle once had his 2640 starting bad and I think had to plug it in at those temps. Turns out he had a bad armature in the starter and it wasn't spinning fast enough. Took quite a while to find that problem ! Had to take starter to several repair shops and then found one that figured it out.

 

[JDemaris]

Cold starting was a major issue with 30 and 40 series Deere tractors. Many were poor starters at 50 degrees F when new. Others would start at 20 degrees F. We had many upset customers - especially when trading in a 1960s 4020 that always started well at 20 degrees F, and then taking home a new 2940 that would barely start at 60 degrees F.

There's a lot to it - and I don't want to write a book on the subject (and I almost could).

You didn't mention if this is a new problem, or the tractor has never started well since you've owned it.

First - it must crank fast. Most starting problems with Deere diesels are caused by the hydraulic system putting too much a load on the starter motor. If in question - install a $10 manual pump-detroker. Often, it makes a night-and-day difference in cold starting.

As to actual engine problems? A poor valve job with valve-heads ground too deep into the head, static injection timing too retarded, piston height above block too low, valve lash excessive, cranking fuel delivery too low in the injection pump, etc. all can cause poor cold starting.

Also, a more major defect that is common - it the top piston rings shattered to pieces. Often a Deere that does not cold-start well, gets made much worse with ether starting. Especially if the intake-manifold ether orifice is bypassed and ether is simply sprayed into the air-intake. Once the top rings break , you've got an engine that can barely start at 70 degrees unless ether is used - but once warmed up runs pretty good.

 

[RobMD]

It"s easy to change the filter- PROVIDED that you have an owner"s manual.

 

[DaveH IA]

I've put longer ground cables on several and get them grounded to the starter or bell housing--clean off the paint first----are they grounded to the tin batt. box now?? Made alot of difference in crankin'speed

 

[rrlund]

I'll second that John. I bought a 4040 new in 1981. One of the hardest starting tractors I've ever had. Went through a case of ether every winter. Traded it for a White and don't even keep the stuff around anymore.
As for everything else you said,low compression or a bad primary fuel pump would high on the list of culprits.

 

[buickanddeere]

Any smoke and what colour while cranking?
What is the voltag measured acros the starter"s cast body to the brass post on the starter motor while cranking?
As prviously asked. A sudden problem or on going?
Are you cranking continous for 1-2 minutes?

 

[buickanddeere]

Any smoke and what colour while cranking?
What is the voltag measured acros the starter"s cast body to the brass post on the starter motor while cranking?
As prviously asked. A sudden problem or on going?
Are you cranking continous for 1-2 minutes?

 

[Ken Warren]

I have only had the tractor since September. The smoke is white while cranking the engine. I usually crank for 30 seconds, pause and crank some more. Batteries are good but maybe I need to look at the cable integrity.

Would it help if I pumped the fuel filter before I cranked the engine ?

Thank you all for the replies.