firing up after couple years - what to do?

jp_silver1

New User
What would folks do if, say, they're firing up a 4000 after it's sat for a couple years?

It has sat in barn, thankfully, and it did fire up 2 years ago but needed a shot of starter fluid to get going.

I've got a paper copy of Ford's Operator Manual, and under "Tractor Storage" section it basically recommends dumping fluids. Well that didn't happen, but I can dump fluids now. I'm guessing the fuel injector has gummed up so is there a good cleaner?

This is a diesel.
 
Agree with Bern. Be sure to use a hot battery or jumpers on it so it spins fast enough. I hate using starter fluid.
 
On s diesel it is pretty much fire it up an go. Last year I took an IHTD15B track loader and got it up and running after it sat 10 or so years out side. I'd check things like the air cleaner and radiator hoses just to make sure a rat or mouse haven't eaten hole in them. I had to replace a couple hoses on that machine due to that
 

Yea, mice & rabbits around here are bad. They chew through the Xmas light wiring. Hoping they didn't chew on any tractor lines.

I'll see if the old battery will hold a charge, and if not replace it.

Still going to dump the old diesel in it.
 

I went 5 years without starting my Ford 800. I drained gas and put in fresh. The float stuck so cleaned the carb. Then the motor raced full speed after a few seconds. The governor stuck and I couldnt free it. Im in the process of pulling it off to see if it can be fixed. I had asked my son to start it and let it run a few minutes a couple times a year while I traveled but he didnt.

Your diesel likely will run just fine.
 
Good news: I got the old Ford fired up. Took awhile ...

... I wasn't going to do anything without new fluids. Engine oil & filter, new diesel filter, dump & fill trans fluid, dump & rear end fluid, hydraulic for the front end loader (didn't dump it yet), new coolant (radiator was dry so no dumping needed).

Spent a pretty penny b/c the trans & rear took 12 gal to get to their fill holes! But I went to a local implements place that has plenty of old tractors laying around and they recommended several things so I'm OK spending money with those guys instead of Big Box store.

Well it wouldn't turn over. Found the PTO engaged, disengaged that, and then it slowly turned over. Bled fuel lines. Ether. Still slow to crank. I had already charged the battery overnight but it only read 12.3V. So I put a 2nd battery in parallel, and -- fired up quick!

I was happier than a kid on Christmas! LOL!

No white smoke. Diesel sounds great.

I warm cranked the tractor again with just it's own battery so maybe topping off with water & leaving on charger again will get it starting cold.

Thx for the votes of confidence on just firing it up!
 

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