White 2-155 hard starting when cold

Merlin in Rushford · Feb 17, 2009

Hello! My employer owns a 1979 model White 2-155 (small three-speed). It runs good, has good power, reasonable exhaust smoke, and limited blow-by and oil consumption. The engine was rebuilt 15 years ago. Yesterday, I did a compression test on each cylinder. The "dry" readings were 340 PSI (lowest) to 400 PSI (highest), averaging 360 PSI. The "wet" results (with oil injected) were 50-60 PSI higher. It starts hard when cold, but will re-start readily when warm, and runs smoothly. It has seen it's share of ether. The I&T Manual calls for 300-350 PSI of compression, which seems low to me. What range should I have? Do I possibly have injection timing, valve timing, or injector pressure issues? Any replies would be helpful. (I know, I know...put in a 6CTA Cummins!) Can't afford that at this time. Thank you!
Merlin

rrlund · Feb 17, 2009

Can't help you,but my 2-135 has the same engine. It was a hard starting bugger when it was cold too. I overhauled it in December,put the 4 ring high compression army surplus pistons in it. You wouldn't know it was the same tractor. I haven't compression tested it,so I can't tell you what it's running,but 32 degrees,without even using the manifold heater,starts in just a matter of a few seconds. Got the pistons and sleeves from Maibach for $200 a hole. A whole lot cheaper than a Cummins repower.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 18, 2009

The factory White manual says 300-350 warm @ cranking speed. Have you checked static injection timing? You can also use a timing light with a diesel pulse adapter and watch the pump in action, checking the advance. Our 2-155 MFWD never started well in cold temps either. It got a 8.3 last year and in the fall the transmission locked up. Hopefully get to that next month. We got a set of military pistons and liners from Sam Winer Motors a few years ago (there were only a few left at that time) and put them in our 2150. It starts @ 30 degrees like you just shut it off a few minutes ago. It never started that way before. It's been my experience with the MAN style piston and nozzle that these engines don't start well when cold. Our 2-150 with the 585 MM has the same style piston and nozzle. It also starts hard. The nozzle in the 585 MM has 1 large hole to shoot into the deep piston bowl, while the Hercules has 1 large hole and a small one. My reasoning is that the fuel doesn't get atomized enough to burn. If compression is raised you'll have more heat to burn the fuel.

White 2-155 hard starting when cold

Merlin in Rushford

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rrlund

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Anonymous-0

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