While I'm thinking about it - OC4 Diesel starting question

[Ed Miller]

While starting my OC4 diesel I noticed it took a long time turning over before it started.  I cranked for 15 to 20 seconds - stopped for about 10 seconds and primed it again then had to crank about 20 seconds more to get it to kick in.  The temperature was about 40 degrees F or more.  I opened the throttle about 1/4 like the manual says and primed the fuel a few pumps (the machine has a primer for an outboard motor fuel tank in place of the original one).   I'm worried I'm going to burn out my starter motor if I keep this up.  Should I be using a diesel starting fluid if is this cold?  Any other tips or tricks out there?  This machine doesn't have a glow plug does it?

[John Schwiebert]

How fast does it turn over? Do you get a lot of smoke when it cranks over and if so what color smoke? How does it run once it starts, run on all 3, hit up like it should, smoke and again if so what color smoke? Also what model injection pump do you> get the numbers off the tag.

[Blake Malkamaki]

When you say you "primed the fuel," what do you mean? Are you pumping gasoline into the intake? Or ether? I'm not sure what you mean.

If you give it ether, make sure the engine is turning over before you give it the ether and do not stop turning it over until it either fires, or you are sure the ether is all worked through the engine and out the exhaust. We've had engines built up a dose of ether in the air cleaner, suck it all in at once, fire, and break the crankshaft.

Blake

[Ed Miller]

John - The motor seems to turn over fine.  I do get a lot of smoke.  I'm not sure of the exact color but it is thick.   Once it starts it runs great.  I'll try to get the injection pump # this weekend.  Where is the injection pump - I'm new to this machine and diesels in general.

Blake - I'm not sure why but  there is a fuel line from an outboard motor external gas tank with a bulb you hand sqeeze that is running along the floor on the right side of the cockpit.  I haven't followed it but I assume it is connected to the fuel line.  I thought the unit had a primer on the instrument panel that must have gone bad.   The line contains some sort of liquid based on the feel of it.    I have not used any ether on the machine.  Thanks for the tip on using it "safely".   Do they make a special starting fluid for diesels?

Ed

[Blake Malkamaki]

Ok, smoke while trying to start is good! That means it is getting fuel. That's another thing about using ether... make you are getting smoke before you give it ether.

Now, regarding ether... that is the same as "starting fluid" in an aerosol can. Unless they are warm, many of these Hercules diesel do need starting fluid to start. My OC-12 does. And it's ok to use as long as you use it sparingly and in the right way.

If using the aerosol can, have it handy by the air intake... open the throttle and crank the engine over... once you have smoke, give it a small shot into the intake and keep cranking it over... it should fire and start as soon as the ether works its way into the engine. Don't give it more unless it does not start the first time. Make sure the first ether has a chance to work out of the engine.

Now, back to your system. It sounds like what you have is a homemade system designed to replace the original starting assist system that used pellets of ether that you put into a canister and speared wit a handle that you pushed down. What you have now is probably someone's idea that may or may not work good. It probably used gasoline. I think I'd stick to the aerosol cans until you know what you have.

I hope some of this makes sense.

Blake

[John Schwiebert]

On your tractor, the injection pump is where the distributor would normally be It has a high pressure steel line that supplies the fuel from the pump to the fuel injector.You also have fuel filters, They have bleed and drain screws. Make sure you do not have water in the fuel. You also have a Roosa Master hand priming pump. It is used ot bleed the system. There  are Series B tractors. Post a serial number as there are differences.

[Ed Miller]

Model OC-46-3D
S/N 3WD-436-ST

[John Schwiebert]

It is one of the later OC-4 tractors built in Cleveland before the Cleveland plant was closed and production transfered and the introduction of t he series B crawlers.