Won't start.

[jimjumper-HT]

I have a 240D. I used it for about 20 minutes on Tuesday and parked it in it usual spot. Tried to start it this morning and just as it seemed to be starting I released the key and it didn't quite start. Tried again and now it cranks but doesn't start. Charged the battery thinking maybe it didn't have a good enough charge but still just cranks. Have white exhaust on each crank cycle so it appears to be getting fuel. Any ideas before I call the repairman? Is it possible to flood a diesel?

 

[winston-HT]

Has it been cranking over at the same speed and cranking ok up until this incident. In other words, is this the first time you have had this white smoke? Do you use your compression release for a fast spin?

 

[alan-HT]

To check the simplest things first, are you using the Thermostart, the compression release, and giving full fuel? Is the tank full and how does the fuel filter bowl look? Is it spinning fast when cranking over?

 

[jimjumper-HT]

After I posted I had the same thoughts. Using the compression release, I heard it pop and after a couple more cycles of the release it finally started and ran great. I started it again while it was warm and it fired right up. I would prefer not to do it on a regular basis because it is a bit hard on the starter and battery. Any other ideas as to why the compression release would make a difference in the starting? Or why it would take more than 1 cycle of the release? Also, if I do use the release during starting should I slowly cycle it or just let spin a little then close it again?

 

[jimjumper-HT]

It has a thermostat but being in Southern California it doesn't appear to have ever been used. I dumped and cleaned the tank just recently when I got the tractor.

 

[alan-HT]

Jim, I don't quite get what you said about a couple more cycles. In any case, to explain, picture a firing pin hitting a bullet primer in slow motion. There will be no detonation. Same with a diesel. The compression must be sudden to ignite the fuel. (You can have hand-cranks or pull-starts on gas engines but not diesels because they wouldn't spin fast enough.)

If your battery or starter are weak and the oil cold, you won't get a fast spin on a high-compression engine. You take the compression off to reduce the main resistance to spinning. Once it's spinning as fast as it will (1-2 secs) you restore the compression (keeping the spin going) so that with the inertia of the fast spin plus the compression it should start.

 

[winston-HT]

My old 2002D would crank very quickly with or without the compression release. However, I used it. I pulled it, engaged starter until oil light went off (no more than 3 or 4 seconds), pushed it in with starter still engaged and bang. Fast spin for ignition and oil pressure achieved before big bang.

Using compression release should be easier on starter, not harder.

 

[jimjumper-HT]

Got it. The reason I thought it was harder on the starter was that it has always quickly started with 2-3 cranks almost like a gas engine. From what I am hearing and reading it occasionally takes longer to get the compression needed to get it to start and I thought that running the starter longer than 4-5 seconds would not be good. I just needed to see it once to understand how it works! I'll also keep in mind that the battery needs a good charge for an easy start. Thanks!

 

[Norm-HT]

You did not answer Alan's question about starting with full fuel, wide-open throttle.

 

[alan-HT]

How long to spin before restoring compression? Longer means more strain on the starter, battery, and maybe some other things. Shorter means less oil pressure on startup, suggesting more engine wear. If it's warm out and I ran it recently I restore compression the instant it reaches full spin; otherwise I follow Winston.

 

[jimjumper-HT]

I started it this morning cold and it started right up (2-3 cranks) without using the decompression lever at all. And yes, full fuel and throttle.

 

[jimjumper-HT]

I also just went to the operators manual and read the proper starting instructions. I will use the decompression lever for every start from now on.

 

[PaulW-HT]

I only use it for cold starts, when already warm it doesn't require it.

 

[O~o\-HT]

<QUOTE author="PaulW"><s>

</s>I only use it for cold starts, when already warm it doesn't require it.<e>

/e></QUOTE>

So, what is a cold start in Aus.?

 

[PaulW-HT]

<QUOTE author="PaulW"><s>

</s>I only use it for cold starts, when already warm it doesn't require it.<e>

br/>

First start of the day, usually after that it fires first shot without the Decomp. About the lowest I've had to start it here would have been about 2*C. I think it may have fired without the decomp but it's hard work on the starter and battery so this is what I do.