Diagnosing Engine Difficulty - Diesel Tractors

The following suggestions are listed for your assistance. You can make simple adjustments on your tractor that will improve its operation and save you the time and expense of hiring someone to do it for you.

Always make one adjustment at a time, and if the adjustment made does not improve the condition, return to the original setting before proceeding to the next adjustment.

Hard Starting

• Cold air temperatures.
• Insufficient fuel.
• Air traps.
• Incorrect timing.
• Loss of compression.
• Dirty nozzles.
• Battery charge low.
• Valve clearance incorrect.
• Fuel transfer pump faulty.
• Fuel injection pump faulty.
• Fuel injection pump out of time.

Engine Overheating

• Low water level in cooling system.
• Radiator clogged.
• Fan belt slipping.
• Collapsed radiator hose.
• Thermostat stuck.
• Engine overloaded.
• Diluted lubricating oil.
• Pulling heavy load at reduced RPM.
• Water pump impeller vanes broken.

Loss of Power

• Insufficient fuel.
• Air in fuel line.
• Restriction in fuel line.
• Clogged fuel filters.
• Transfer pump defective.
• Late injection pump timing.
• Loss of compression.
• Clogged air cleaner.
• Sticking valves.
• Valve clearance incorrect.
• Faulty nozzles.
• High idle RPM too slow.

Irregular Operation

• Governor control linkage binding.
• Compression pressure uneven.
• Valves not seating properly.
• Faulty fuel nozzles.
• Low fuel pressure.
• Low operating temperature.
• Fuel injection pump out of time.

Excessive Exhaust Smoke

• Engine overloaded.
• Clogged air cleaner.
• Too much fuel to engine.
• Faulty fuel nozzles.
• Oil consumption.

Engine Knocking

• Engine overload.
• Incorrect fuel.
• Incorrect timing.
• Air cell plugged or leaking.
• Engine RPM too slow.