Hard Starting

[tomsdexta]

What would cause hard starting on theses engines? I have to go through the starting procedure a couple times to get her to stay running, this just seems to much for me. I just got this tractor earlier this summer and don't know any of the history of the unit. If someone had used either too much and damaged the engine would that have caused the problem? Once she is running, she is a gutsy little tractor and good runner besides the smoke. I am new to these fordsons and need some advice on what is good and bad.

[strawhouse]

I had to get a new primer button for the heater ( mine wasnt even there ). Once it was replaced the heater jumped to life and burnt off the diesel that was sitting in the engine. Now it always starts after sitting

[Mark]

Tom,
You need to check your compression, it sounds like you have an either baby. That's is a no no for our blue baby's. I learned this one lesson the hard way. You could put a heater into one of the freeze plugs on the motor, that will help as well as the cold start method.

Do you hear a pop when you pump the fuel into the manifold? If you don't your heater may not be working properly. You may just need to get this fixed, and solve your starting problem, and they are a really good worker. They will go all day, day after day.

[tomsdexta]

Would it be possible that the heater in the manifold is getting weak and not heating as much? I will get a pop in the manifold on a rare occasion. Might it possible that the primer is not getting the fuel there properly? All I get when i try to start it is a bunch of smelly smoke.

Thanks for all the help guys!

[aldo]

Tom,
If you hold the heater on for the full 40 seconds, then feel the heater, you'll know straight away whether its getting hot enough. I've checked it this way many times. Ouch! It sure gets hot.

[Jerry Coles]

One thing you should check is that the valve at the end of the primer pipe is operating OK.
This assembly is within the ferrule that connects the pipe to the Manifold. In there is a tiny spring and ball bearing to prevent Fuel being sucked into the manifold after starting. The primer pump must overcome this spring back pressure to force the fuel into the manifold and onto the heater for it to burn.
Water in the fuel can cause the spring and the ball to rust.
Remove the fuel line and ferrule and try first with the primer pump to see if you are getting fuel down the line. If that is OK then connect the line to the ferrule and see if the fuel sprays out the nozze. Avoid getting diesel on your skin and eyes.
When starting with the primer then as you pump in the fuel you should expect to see an increase in unburnt fuel from the exhaust until the engine fires up.

[Brian]

Err! No Jerry,

If the cold start is working correctly there should be NO unburnt fuel in the engine. The whole idea of this cold start is that the fuel burns in the manifold and a flame goes into the engine. The "pop" that you hear is the diesel igniting. If you have to keep pumping neat diesel into the manifold to be drawn into the engine then something is wrong with the cold start system.

[tomsdexta]

I don't know if this is correct or not but when i have to push the primer to put fuel in the manifold, My hand gets really sore? Is this normal or is somthing wrong in that system?

Tom

[Brian]

Sounds like you may have a blocked jet or, on some models, there was a tap on the pipe next to the manifold. This should be opened when you need to use the cold start then closed straight afterwards.

[jambug123]

the cold start works in the same way as a diesel soaked burning rag by the intake sucking in the flame and the engine will fire straight up, when i had a cold starting problem i started my dexta in this way and when my replacement parts arrived it started the same. i replaced the heater plug and the jet with brand new parts from new holland.

Regards
James

[Tubal Cain]

The following starting instructions have been copied from the Official Operators Manual: -

Ensure that the fuel supply tap is turned on. The main supply is available when the supply tap is unscrewed two turns.

Check that the main gear lever is in the neutral position.

Ensure that the stop control on the panel is pushed right in.

Insert the main control key in the switch, turn to the right and check that both warning lights become illuminated.

Move the throttle lever in a clockwise direction to slightly more than the half open position.

Press the induction primer button once only to inject a small quantity of fuel on to the heater plug and depress the heater button for forty seconds.

Depress the clutch pedal fully and, with the heater button still depressed, operate the starter motor by pushing the starter control lever downwards. Pump the primer button two or three times as the engine is being turned over by the starter motor, when the engine should start.

Gerald

[Chris Ivin]

Hi Gerald,

I always find I need three hands when I trying to follow the starting instruction:

one to press the heater button
one to press the primer and
another to press the starter lever!!!

[Kiwi Kev]

Seems like a hard tractor to start, at times.
Maybe this is why people like to repower the Dexta's.
How about the Super Major engine, their always easy to start
Maybe my hedgerow Dexta could borrow big brothers spare engine.
Kiwi Kev

[Bensdexta]

Dextas have a good reputation for starting, better than Fergie. I've seen a few which have had their primer pump removed completely but 'reputable' owners and no they don't need ether, at least not in the British climate!

If starting is poor, I believe it may also be worth checking condition of the injectors and the injection pump.
All the best,
Ben

[Tubal Cain]

In my experience poor starting is often incorrectly blamed on the injection pump and injectors. There are a number of other factors which can cause poor starting which I highlighted in an article published on this site some time ago at the following address.

http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/manua ... oblems.htm


Gerald

[Oscar]

I always find I need three hands when I trying to follow the starting instruction:
one to press the heater button
one to press the primer and
another to press the starter lever!!!

Ha! I always used to press the starter lever with my right foot .

[Bensdexta]

Gerald,
Many thanks for the link to your useful article on starting problems.
All the best,
Ben

[dexta61]

I have replaced my glowplug with new. When I tested it the new one was working the old one was not. The next thing is i taken the nozzle out and checked if ti worked. now the ball was moving but I coulod not get any air though by blowing ( put it in my mouth and put air pressure on it, by the way I do not smoke, leave that for the dexta hahahha) but nothing cam through, or should there be a high pressure on it to open the nozzle.

[BarryT]

Hi,

Brian is correct when he says that some models have a tap next to the manifold, I have this on my 1960 Dexta, make sure this tap is open before using the primer, it's also a good tip to close it after the engine starts. If you think a Dexta needs three hands to start, try starting a Ferguson TEF by going through the recommended proceedure!!

Regards,

Barry