crashman111
Member
I own a 1952 JD R which was fully restored (not by me) about 12-13 years ago. Since then, other than occasional tractor shows or parades, the tractor has been sitting idle inside my climate-controlled shop. It gets started and run no more frequently than every few months.
For the past few years, it has been expelling black liquid soot droplets from the exhaust, especially when the diesel engine is throttled up; increased RPMS. These droplets of black soot land on the newly-painted tractor surface, on the clothing of the driver and, unfortunately on the driver's eyeglasses. I assume these tiny drops of liquid are likely unused diesel fuel that is getting past the combustion chambers, but I am not even close to knowing much about how a diesel engine works. I guess it could be oil, but don't think so. Several years back, a knowledgeable antique tractor mechanic suggested it might have something to do with improperly-adjusted fuel injectors, but that was several years ago and my memory is not that clear on it.
I have also noticed that it is becoming a little bit more difficult to get the diesel started as time passes. First, let me say that starting problem has noting to do with cold weather, or not running the pony engine long enough, as this tractor is housed inside an insulated shop and heated to no less than 50 degrees year-round. I'm not sure why starting it has been taking longer, even in the summer months. I do have one suspicion - - old diesel fuel. Since this tractor does not get run regularly for more than an hour at a time, since it is a show & parade tractor, it doesn't get the chance to use much diesel fuel, so what's in the tank is old. If I add fuel that is more fresh, which I occasionally do, I end up with a tank that is too full of older fuel.
So, I am looking for some expert advice and will summarize my questions:
1. What is the likely reason for the liquid exhaust droplets? Does the older fuel have anything to do with this, or is it more mechanical in nature?
2. What can I do to get it corrected?.....keeping in mind that I will have to take it to someone who knows how to address this problem, as I am not a mechanic, by any stretch.
3. Regarding the diesel fuel: Should I be using some kind of injector cleaner fuel additive? Will that help? Also, is there any recommended way to drain that old fuel from the tank, other than siphoning it out?
I would appreciate any and all advice from anyone experienced with the old JD diesels!
Thank you.
For the past few years, it has been expelling black liquid soot droplets from the exhaust, especially when the diesel engine is throttled up; increased RPMS. These droplets of black soot land on the newly-painted tractor surface, on the clothing of the driver and, unfortunately on the driver's eyeglasses. I assume these tiny drops of liquid are likely unused diesel fuel that is getting past the combustion chambers, but I am not even close to knowing much about how a diesel engine works. I guess it could be oil, but don't think so. Several years back, a knowledgeable antique tractor mechanic suggested it might have something to do with improperly-adjusted fuel injectors, but that was several years ago and my memory is not that clear on it.
I have also noticed that it is becoming a little bit more difficult to get the diesel started as time passes. First, let me say that starting problem has noting to do with cold weather, or not running the pony engine long enough, as this tractor is housed inside an insulated shop and heated to no less than 50 degrees year-round. I'm not sure why starting it has been taking longer, even in the summer months. I do have one suspicion - - old diesel fuel. Since this tractor does not get run regularly for more than an hour at a time, since it is a show & parade tractor, it doesn't get the chance to use much diesel fuel, so what's in the tank is old. If I add fuel that is more fresh, which I occasionally do, I end up with a tank that is too full of older fuel.
So, I am looking for some expert advice and will summarize my questions:
1. What is the likely reason for the liquid exhaust droplets? Does the older fuel have anything to do with this, or is it more mechanical in nature?
2. What can I do to get it corrected?.....keeping in mind that I will have to take it to someone who knows how to address this problem, as I am not a mechanic, by any stretch.
3. Regarding the diesel fuel: Should I be using some kind of injector cleaner fuel additive? Will that help? Also, is there any recommended way to drain that old fuel from the tank, other than siphoning it out?
I would appreciate any and all advice from anyone experienced with the old JD diesels!
Thank you.