Why does my case diesel need starting fluid?

Ronin79

Member
1959 case 800, used to only need starting fluid when it was cold out. Now, if the tractor sits for a couple days, Ill need to shoot a spray of ether just go get her to fire.

Why is this happening?
 
Don't use it. Ether WILL crack the Heads. Sounds like lack of compression, of which compression makes heat. Could be worn rings, worn valves or both. Your 800 should also have 2 good 12V (Group 30's) batteries hooked in parallel to kick it in the butt.
 
Lol. Awesome.

Im selling the tractor and just want to be straight with potential buyers

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/grd/5561773817.html
 
How old is the battery? Try trickle charging the battery overnight then put the battery in when it is 50-60+ degrees and try to start. If it will start then, your battery may be weak and not spinning it good enough. If it still doesn't start, then you are into the rings or valves. My 800 needs help at under 40 degrees, starts right up at 55 or higher.
 
Is imaking smoke when you try to start it? It should be. If not, it may not begetting fuel to the cyls due to a slight bleed down in the pump.. the ether provides fuel for a couple seconds.

That's if you are lucky.

Otherwise as the others said. low compression..
 
Thanks i will try it. Sounds like a workable plan. My tractor was like that too, so maybe it is the battery!
 
If someone does go the overhaul route, make sure valve face recession or protrusion is correct.
I worked at an automotive machine shop for a time and we had an IH diesel head come in for a valve job. Not sure what the original complaint was. The valves sat a little too low in the head per the specs, so we installed new valve seats and valves, being careful to get it in specs as far as valve recession,as well as all other specs.
A couple days after he got it reassembled, he showed up at the shop and wanted to know what we did. He said it never started so good as it did right now, and never did since he had it. Said he used either winter and summer to start it.
Simply low compression because the combustion chamber was a bit too large.
 
If your battery is more than a few years old it could be loosing some power. You could try a newer battery or add a second battery using jumper cables to see if it improves. Clean all the cable connections too, or check them for resistance and voltage drop.
 
The glow plug in my 830 isn't working due to a switch problem so I gave my 830 a little sniff this morning. We hauled manure all day with it. No cracked heads or broken rings. The key is that you don't have to use the whole can unless you have a 42/44/4630 jd.
 
Sounds like the majority think its a fuel issue, ie. Pump, injectors, leak in the line etc.
Worst case scenario is rings, rods and gravy...

Or- several of you have commented on battery.

Im going to start with battery, see if more power does the trick. If not, im going to replace a few fuel lines ive had leaking for a time.

Worst case is fuel pump. Tractor isnt worth rings, rods and gravy.

I only give her a little bump with the ether.

Its no JD. Doesnt need much to get her purring.

Thanks all for the replies, very insightful.
 
or the filters are not delivering adequately , leaving a slite vaccumm at shut down,,. next day, she is cold , the vaccumm compresses but does not throw adequet fuel to fire, a whif of ether is enuf to kik all of it on thru,., another is timing of the pump as opposed to the flywheel,.as engines age timing ages and geometrically moves their points of best power and fire ,. starters weaken and loose cranking thrust ,,.one will notice a difference after new batteries an or new starter repair ,, but a gradual loss is never detected ,,.as j saelie states , ether and case heads is no ggod ,,. like playing Russian roulette ,,.instal a block heater , instal glow plugs ,,. or give the case-o matic 800 a pull while cranking in 6th gear with direct drive engaged , dump the decompresser and it will start just like a dry clutch roll starter ,..
 

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