Perkins Diesel Warm Weather Starting Slow

Bill VA · Jul 6, 2014

My MF50's Perkins diesel for the past 10 years has reliably started with what seems like a touch of the key - zero prolong cranking. A quick crank and fires right off. I've noticed this summer it is taking more and more cranking to get it to start. One running, it is otherwise perfect, no smoke, smooth and just sounding great.

I put a new battery in it, not really helping. What could be going wrong/needs servicing? Are the injectors getting dirty? Should I run some kind of injector cleaning additive in the fuel? Will be changing the fuel filter ASAP too.

Understand cold weather starting difficulties, but never really encountered any warm weather starting issues with a diesel - especially this Perkins.

Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

farmerscotty · Jul 6, 2014

change fuel filter

how many hours on injector pump?

could be low pressure on pump

David G · Jul 6, 2014

I would think there is an issue in the pump that shows up when the viscosity of the Diesel is thinner.

Tony in Mass. · Jul 6, 2014

In the same train of thought as Dave, I experience??? more problems due to changes in the way fuels are refined , than with my machines- including the home heating oil furnace... buy some diesel somewhere else and see what happens.

Dieseltech · Jul 7, 2014

How does it start hot after two hours use, shut off about 5 minutes, better or worse? That's where pump trouble shows up most. Do you get blue/white smoke when starting cold, and clears as engine warms up, that would point to compression if the fuel is known good quality cetane rating. You can try cranking the engine about 4 or 5 seconds with the fuel rod off, then turn it on while cranking. This helps build compression heat BEFORE the fuel is injected, doing this can help some engines with lower compression.

Bill VA · Jul 7, 2014

Not sure how many hours are on the pump. I'm beginning to suspect quality of fuel. I will change the fuel filters - thanks!

Bill VA · Jul 7, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:29:39 07/07/14) How does it start hot after two hours use, shut off about 5 minutes, better or worse? That's where pump trouble shows up most. Do you get blue/white smoke when starting cold, and clears as engine warms up, that would point to compression if the fuel is known good quality cetane rating. You can try cranking the engine about 4 or 5 seconds with the fuel rod off, then turn it on while cranking. This helps build compression heat BEFORE the fuel is injected, doing this can help some engines with lower compression.

Starts great after the first start. No real blue/white smoke when starting either. Thanks for the info!

Perkins Diesel Warm Weather Starting Slow

Bill VA

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farmerscotty

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David G

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Tony in Mass.

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Dieseltech

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Bill VA

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Bill VA

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