Cold Starting/glow plug issues

2166 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Brutus BeefCake, 5 mo ago

Slat26

Discussion Starter · Mar 20, 2022

Hi All,

I have had a basic 2013 Brutus for 9 years and its been a great machine other than the fact I have always had issues with starting under 45 degrees. After recently getting stranded in the woods after leaving it sit for too long while cutting timber, I've become aggravated enough to figure this out. I am assuming its a glow plug issue?

Glow plug light works on the dash, and I'm getting current to the glow plugs. I did notice that I still get current to them even after the engine is running. Is this normal or are they supposed to shut off on a timer or based on temperature?

Another side question, what is the normal operating temperature on the yanmar engine and what is the thermostat supposed to be set at for the radiator fan to kick on? Mine starts at 195 F and that seems high to me.

Thanks for the help,
-Chris

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KeviNH

· #2 · Mar 20, 2022

Cold-weather starting is a known issue, and is almost entirely solved by the block heater (replaces a threaded freeze plug on the Yanmar and warms the antifreeze) available as a dealer-installed option from Bobcat.

When not using the block heater, I turn the key, wait for the glow plug light to go out, then turn it back to off and wait for a second glow plug cycle before starting the engine.

According to "Chapter_05_Engine_Cooling_System.pdf", the cooling fan comes on at 194°F

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Slat26

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 20, 2022

Thanks for the reply Kevin, good to know the thermostat is working fine. I've thought about a block heater but that really doesn't solve my problem. The vehicle is garage kept, but where I run into trouble is out on the farm. I generally set an alarm on my phone and turn it on every hour or so in cold weather to keep the block warm. Works great until I forget. under 45 degree engine temp no number of glow plug preheat cycles will bring it to life.

Anyone ever use an aftermarket fuel preheater?

also, should the glow plugs always be getting power?

Thanks,
-Chris

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KeviNH

· #4 · Mar 21, 2022 (Edited)

When did you last change the filters, especially the fuel filter? I had a fair amount of difficulty with cold weather starting even after draining the fuel filter separator, a new filter made a big difference.

Slat26 said:
under 45 degree engine temp no number of glow plug preheat cycles will bring it to life.

With new air and fuel filters installed, now I can get it to start between 32-45F without using the block heater, but sometimes takes a couple of tries. When weather is below freezing, only thing that works for me is the block heater.

Slat26 said:
Anyone ever use an aftermarket fuel preheater?

Not sure about fuel, but I've seen air intake preheaters, and was considering a propane engine block heater but decided a generator was a better investment.

Also available are various types of "diesel coolant heater" for parked trucks, e.g. Arctic Fox®

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Slat26

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 23, 2022

KeviNH said:
When did you last change the filters, especially the fuel filter? I had a fair amount of difficulty with cold weather starting even after draining the fuel filter separator, a new filter made a big difference.

With new air and fuel filters installed, now I can get it to start between 32-45F without using the block heater, but sometimes takes a couple of tries. When weather is below freezing, only thing that works for me is the block heater.

Not sure about fuel, but I've seen air intake preheaters, and was considering a propane engine block heater but decided a generator was a better investment.

Also available are various types of "diesel coolant heater" for parked trucks, e.g. Arctic Fox®

Hmm it has been a bit since i've changed a fuel filter. I'll have to wait until the next cold spell to see if it makes a difference.

Curious to see if anyone else has used fuel or intake pre heaters to solve their cold start issues.

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proper landscaping

· #6 · Mar 24, 2022

New fuel filter will definitely help. If you have gelled fuel in your current filter that will make cold starts difficult. Also use a winter additive in your diesel fuel.

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Dbankers

· #7 · Mar 25, 2022

Not sure what part of the country you are in but advice so far is spot on from my pov. Also consider #1 vs #2 diesel. I keep my Brutus plugged in with block heater when temps are very cold in NE South Dakota. Even without block heater it will start down to about 20 degrees using #1 fuel, multiple glow plug cycles and a strong battery. Good luck

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Randanator

· #8 · Mar 25, 2022

Slat26 said:
Hi All,

I have had a basic 2013 Brutus for 9 years and its been a great machine other than the fact I have always had issues with starting under 45 degrees. After recently getting stranded in the woods after leaving it sit for too long while cutting timber, I've become aggravated enough to figure this out. I am assuming its a glow plug issue?

Glow plug light works on the dash, and I'm getting current to the glow plugs. I did notice that I still get current to them even after the engine is running. Is this normal or are they supposed to shut off on a timer or based on temperature?

Another side question, what is the normal operating temperature on the yanmar engine and what is the thermostat supposed to be set at for the radiator fan to kick on? Mine starts at 195 F and that seems high to me.

Thanks for the help,
-Chris

I went through this as well a machine that would start at 5ﾟ suddenly wouldn't after researching and checking fuses relays everything I came to find that there were 3 bad glow plugs I have the service manual which was helpful because you have to take the top cover off the engine to get to them very easy replacement once you get to them and boom the machine goes back to starting just like it did in 13

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Brutus BeefCake

· #9 · 5 mo ago

Randanator said:
I went through this as well a machine that would start at 5ﾟ suddenly wouldn't after researching and checking fuses relays everything I came to find that there were 3 bad glow plugs I have the service manual which was helpful because you have to take the top cover off the engine to get to them very easy replacement once you get to them and boom the machine goes back to starting just like it did in 13

Is your Brutus still starting good in cold weather? New glow plugs still holding up? Thanks

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