Another "Cranks but Won't Start"

wangevin

New member

Equipment
B1700HST
Sep 6, 2013
1
0
0
Manchester, NH
This is a Kubota B1700HST with 900 hours. Ran fine 3 weeks ago, but a bit hot as the radiator had pollen and stuff in it.

Today will not start.
- Cranks but will not start
- Exhaust is Black not grey or white
- Fuel flows freely to fuel filter. Cleaned fuel filter just in case
- Cleaned Air intake just in case
- Tested glow rail and see power to glow plugs
- Oil is lower than I like but OK
- Radiator is not low
- Stop Soleniod. Not sure I have one but every switch I could find is not stuck
- Connected battery to truck and then tried to start to see if battery had an issue. Cranked as before

Thoughts:
- Engine Needs Fuel, Air, Compression and Spark
- Battery had the power, so not that
- Air is getting through, so not that
- Fuel appears to be getting through as exhaust is Black, so not that
- No stuck solenoid as it cranks, so not that
- If you agree, that leaves compression, glow, or bad fuel

If compression:
- How do you test? Remove injector and put in auto compression meter?
- If blown head gasket that would cause compression issues. Any way to test for that other than pulling the head?
Glow:
- For glow I could remove plugs and rig to battery (more work than it's worth)
Bad Fuel:
- if only thing left is bad fuel then will drain.

Any other ideas or suggestions?
 

SteveF

New member

Equipment
BX25
May 15, 2013
307
0
0
Huntingdon, PA
Also, it is very important that everything happens in proper time... if fuel and spark don't happen at specified moment, crank but no fire.
 

DanDan

New member

Equipment
BX1860, L2600DT
Sep 21, 2012
125
1
0
SoCal
Silly question: Why are we talking about "spark" when troubleshooting a diesel?

I think the compression test can be done by removing a glow plug (rather than an injector), but I've never done a diesel compression check.
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,289
4,853
113
Sandpoint, ID
Today will not start.
- Cranks but will not start
- Exhaust is Black not grey or white
- Fuel flows freely to fuel filter. Cleaned fuel filter just in case
If you cleaned the filter, it would have been better to replace it!
Removing and reinstalling the filter will cause you to induce air into the system, so you will need to bleed the air out at the input to the injector pump and at the injectors.
- Cleaned Air intake just in case
Again replacing is a better option.
- Tested glow rail and see power to glow plugs
That doesn't mean the glow plugs are actually working, pull them out and put power to them and see if they glow... Do Not Hold them with your hand while trying this!
- Oil is lower than I like but OK
Well then fill it with oil.
- Radiator is not low
- Stop Soleniod. Not sure I have one but every switch I could find is not stuck
How do you stop the engine from running? Do you just shut off the key to make it stop (stop solenoid) or do you pull a lever or pull the throttle down to make it stop (mechanical shutdown).
- Connected battery to truck and then tried to start to see if battery had an issue. Cranked as before

Thoughts:
- Engine Needs Fuel, Air, Compression and Spark ???(No spark in a diesel)???
- Battery had the power, so not that
- Air is getting through, so not that
- Fuel appears to be getting through as exhaust is Black, so not that
Bad assumption, poorly injected fuel will smoke like mad!
- No stuck solenoid as it cranks, so not that
Bad or stuck (if you have one) Fuel solenoid will not stop it from cranking.
- If you agree, that leaves compression, glow, or bad fuel
Bad compression will most of the time blow smoke out the breather tube, yes bad glow plugs will do it, bad fuel can cause problems too!

If compression:
- How do you test? Remove injector and put in auto compression meter?
It must be a diesel compression tester, a automotive (gasoline) tester will not work! Yes it will go in the injector hole.
- If blown head gasket that would cause compression issues. Any way to test for that other than pulling the head?
Very unlikely, but compression tester or pull the head!
Glow:
- For glow I could remove plugs and rig to battery (more work than it's worth)
Yes pull and test them... not that much work???
Bad Fuel:
- if only thing left is bad fuel then will drain.
Drain, and Replace, (not clean the filter), and bleed all the lines all the way to the injectors.

Any other ideas or suggestions?
Get a service manual, it will help all the way around.;)
 
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bandaidmd

Member

Equipment
B2620 w/LA364 FEL ,BH65, ssqa , 1982 B8200E w/BF300FEL
May 19, 2013
603
0
16
Middle of DELMARVA
So the last time it ran was when "it ran a bit hot" ?

If you have one of those infared thermometers you can check glow plugs without removing them.
Harbor freight sells a reasonably priced diesel comp tester.