Diesel Engine WON'T START! -Toro Lawnmower- Can we get it running???

What started out as a gas vs. diesel project, quickly took a turn for the worse when Matt decided to scrap the diesel swap idea and go out and buy a diesel tractor from the auction. A cheap 2 cylinder diesel bought sight unseen, what could go wrong??? Sketchy DYI electrical fixes and missing wires for the first thing. Once that was sorted out, it was time to bleed the fuel system and prime it but still the old Mitsubishi KE75 wouldn't fire! A compression test and a leakdown test was done on the old Toro Groundmaster 217 D and it seems like the valves may need some work... By this time it was late November and the last hope of getting it started would have to be a diesel cold start... Does Matt get this old diesel started or is this another one of his fails??? Maybe he should have stuck with his gas mower.
Music:
Mind Your Manners by Jim Rooster is licensed under a Attribution License.
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[@gmill0188]

You’re a good teacher. Electrical diagnosis is my weakness but you explained everything really well. Good video

[@mattsws]

Thanks for the wonderful compliment!!!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@tjansson8481]

Matt, don't give up on the Toro GM. I have a 52 like yours which had a blown 16 Briggs. The crank was good, but the piston rings broke and mangled the piston. Thankfully, the cylinder wasn't scored and I just need to put it together and reinstall. Missing the deck, but looking at a Pro-line 52 deck. I came across a non-running 220d with 62 deck. Your vid gives me hope that it can be fixed. Cheers.

[@mattsws]

Yeah, I would like to get the diesel one running this summer and use the 52 for parts if needed. My 16hp briggs still works, but has seen much better days!!! That being said, I still haven't gotten the Diesel engine running. After shooting this video 2 years ago, I put both mowers aside... Hopefully this summer I'll make an update video. Thanks for watching!!!

[@bobr9531]

I don't know if you ever got this engine started but don't give up. They take an incredible amount of preheat to get them started. The reduction drive starter doesn't help either. There are direct drive starters available.

[@mattsws]

I haven’t worked on it since the video…. 2 years ago! When I do, I want to check valve clearance because apparently that can cause hard starting as well. I would run the glow plugs 30 secs and while cranking WITH ETHER and it still wouldn’t start! I think its a valve or head issue…. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!!!

[@bobr9531]

Mine was doing the same thing. When you were cranking yours , there was smoke so try more heat. It may take a couple of minutes of preheat. Also, mine is even harder to start if it's cool out. You are right about checking the valve set also.

[@NorthernANTs]

Great video, hope you can get it going, I am just getting snow right now today for the first time this year. Happy days ;-) Snowmobiling here we come, making videos and watching videos.

[@mattsws]

Yeah I can’t wait!!!! Thanks!!!

[@mattsws]

We got a few inches 2 weeks ago and kept it, which is unusual… This week they are calling for rain all week! Hopefully we get a couple good months (but probably weeks…)

[@lgvmobile]

Any luck finding the issue on the engine? Looking for part two!

[@mattsws]

Not yet. After the video was shot I packed the machine away for the winter… It’s currently under a few ft of snow! Gonna try to get it running in the spring. Stay tuned for part 2 eventually!!

[@lgvmobile]

@Matt's Workshop I bought a iseki tractor with the same engine, I was able to start it but still not starting when I want to use it ...I had to clean injector pump and rebuild injectors but yours are working fine...I have 125psi on one cylinder and 315 or so in the other debating on weather to invest more time and money or sell as is and get something I can at least find parts for or has a front loader!

[@mattsws]

@@lgvmobile Yeah.... I'm in a similar situation... I don't have the correct fitting for my compression tester, so I don't trust the 100psi its giving me. With the compressed air, I seem to have valve leaks, so I hope that readjusting the valve clearance and worse case, lapping the valves will do the trick. If not, its back to the auction for that tractor!!!

[@lgvmobile]

@Matt's Workshop I will have to look into using air to check for leaks before I decide to open up the engine!

[@mattsws]

@@lgvmobile its a good way to see if the valves are leaking...

[@corypitt1387]

Any update on the toro project ?

[@mattsws]

Still sitting in the yard. Haven’t touched it since the video. Hopefully going to make another vid this summer….

[@fox_mini]

So did it start? Any part 2?

[@mattsws]

Not yet! Moved it into the back of the yard after the video last year and I haven’t gotta around to working on it again… I was hoping to do it this summer, but I don’t think thats going to happen. There will be another video, one day! Thanks for watching!

[@user-mk7xv3ql5p]

Hello Matt. I signed up once for a diesel truck maintenace class. There was a Toro diesel professional lawn mower. That a guy brought into the shop. This guy was complaining he couldn't started the engine. I think it was a 2 cylinder like the one you eere working on. So i beeing a little experimental. I think i did read somewhere in the Toro diesel placatd with the specs. It resd that the setting for the valves lash. Wss supposed to be about 026 thousands in the feeler gauge. No more no less. I took me a little while. While i kept on putting the feeler gauges together. To get the correct gauge setting that was asked by the specs. But guess what. . As soon as i got the cotrect .026 thoudands of an inch measure. The Toro started coughing some black smoke. Then it started with a big smoke cloud..And idled. Maybe that's your trouble with this Toro diesel. Try it.. It just might start coughing smoke and start. Good kuck 👍👍

[@mattsws]

I really appreciate this info!!! I parked the tractor in my yard 2 years ago after I filmed the video. When I eventually get back to it, I’ll definitely try adjusting the valve clearance first. Thanks again and thanks for watching!!!