Diesel Tractor Blows White Smoke on Start Up (Fix)

[@contrafax]

That was a well done repair and you managed to keep 4 letter words to a minimum.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Kept it G rated

[@wallacefrey6247]

Thanks Sandy, now I know an easy way to test glow plugs.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Happy to help Wallace!

[@tomt8320]

Hi Sandy. Great video. Brilliant, and no busted knuckles! If you have two (or three?) of every wrench (everything), you'll never go without. 😂 Now I know what to look for with this symptom.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Tom! I've got about 3 of everything but then again I barely know where even one of some of those items are haha

[@delmanicke9228]

It's nice when the repair works. Good job, I hate it when the equipment doesn't work right. 👍 keeps me awake at night. 😅

[@sawingwithsandy]

Keeps me awake as well Del. Especially with my tractor as it's like the backbone of everything I do

[@genewileyopa]

White smoke scares me. Then when I realized it was a diesel, that changed things. Thank the Lord it was an easy fix for you. Great job.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I know what ya mean Gene. In a gas engine I start thinking head gasket.

[@genewileyopa]

@@sawingwithsandy Exactly

[@profdave2861]

@@sawingwithsandy Or worse… cracked head or block! Glad it was a minor issue!

[@vogelj2009]

You are amazing to watch. You are a true Canadian. Hard work smart and self reliant. Good man!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Jack!

[@johnwoody4905]

good video and job. glad you got it fixed the newer tractors are much worse to work on than yours. take care, be safe and well.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I am fortunate this one is pretty simple to work on I"m finding

[@stevek6921]

So glad that worked out, Sandy!

[@bobbergmann1656]

Good job of diagnosing the problem!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Bob!

[@deprived56501]

I won't say that was an easy fix, but at least it was a simple fix. I'm glad it wasn't a bad injector. Good vid. Thanks.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Joe. You're right there. Was pretty straight forward thankfully

[@jdgibs3446]

Enjoy your videos. This one was no exception. Especially this one along with your process of reasoning. With everyone sharing their experience and certainly your local dealer, you really came out on top. It just proves how a community/group of friendly people can work together to accomplish success. Great commendations to your tractor dealer. Much thanks to KIOTI. Keep 'em coming Sandy. Appreciate your sharing. 👍🤛💪

[@sawingwithsandy]

I agree with ya there! Great people here for sure

[@frankdrahos8569]

Congratulations on a good repair!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Frank!

[@tjjewell4115]

Sandy, so happy you found the problem with the Tractor and is was a fairly easy fix except for the hand clearance issue, good job.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks TJ

[@russellbelliveau1694]

Good stuff problem solved, so satisfying fixing it yourself also it wasn’t serious. Glad for you

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Russell!

[@Z-Bart]

My Cat skid steer has glow plugs that I seldom ever use. I just leave the block heater plugged in. Fires right up. Does add a bit to the old electric bill though. Glad you got your tractor fixed.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Ray! Can't go wrong with that. As long as it fires up that's all that matters!

[@lumberjill6598]

Great job Sandy!!👏 What a good feeling fixing your own equipment. I enjoyed seeing how a glow plug works and how to change them out. Thank you for the lesson. Take care and have a wonderful weekend! 👋👍😁

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Jill!

[@kennicholas3512]

Another great video sandy. Where was this 6 lmonths ago lol. I've had similar issues with my tractor. New to tractors so I suck all of this up. It's great to see that we are not alone and that others even with newer equipment go through similar issuers and are wling to take the time to share their experience. Bit om still considering a new tractor something with more lift capacity. Thanks again.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad I could help Ken! Yeah this was a bit of a learning curve for me here. I'm fortunate it went well.

[@robertwazniak9495]

You are a very patient man. You would not have been able to use much of the audio if I had to do that job. LoL

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahaha

[@tonyjohnson2256]

I was waiting for you to only replace the bad glow plugs lol. Great jod on fixing your tractor

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha I was thinking about it

[@waltergregory2368]

Great video! I learned a lot. I don’t have the patience to work on my equipment. I take it to the shop.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Walter. I was in a bit of a bind her as I don't have the equipment to trailer my tractor to my dealer and the dealer is a good distance away so would be expensive to have a tech come to me. Luckily it ended up working out

[@walterkucharski4790]

Good catch. I'll check mine. Same issues.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Walter!

[@bruceguidosh2120]

Great job Sandy! I always have gotten a tech manual for my tractors, just for that info I don't have from engine work done on the past! Getting an electrical system schematic might be helpful as well! (the dealer should be able to provide copies !) Nothing like that flush of excitement when a repair works, eh?! " It's a beautiful thing!"😉

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahah I was pretty happy it worked for sure!

[@yolala100]

I did learn a lot with this video, thank you Sandy 👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great to hear that Marc! Thanks for watching

[@maxxonetwo3]

Thank you greatly apricated. My Kioti is hard to start and white smoke. I will change my glow plugs.

[@SasquatchBunyan]

Maintain. Maintain. Maintain. It works!

[@sawingwithsandy]

For sure. Lots of equipment, lots of maintenance

[@saintaugustine1715]

Good afternoon Sandy it does help that you are not afraid of digging in some a lot of people would not dare remove the hood of the tractor never mind working on it but there is people that are better to leave things alone at to go help a few of those in my life time but today my back can not take that bending over the engine I still could do it but in two days instead of a few hour I was glad to see that smile when it crank up without a problem have a great day

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm still feeling the strain reaching and crawling around there. Sure was tight spot!

[@bailyroadmill4440]

THANK YOU Sandy... you just fixed my 2013 Bobcat CT445! I have been having identical starting issues that you experienced and everyone was telling me relay--but we're going glow plug hunting now! The Sun is shining and the wrenches are ready-- thanks for the inspiration! Saw safe!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad I could help and thanks for coming along for the video!

[@bryansaunter4124]

When I check heavy electric load I use a tractor headlight or work light. Connect to jumper wires to the light. To see if glow plugs work put one end on positive terminal other to the load if the light works the unit is good. Power source to load of light other end n ground turn key on light should come on. To find a short, blown fuse,use light in place of fuse when short is found light goes out. *** note***You do have to remove wires off the plugs tp test

[@patricklacasse2877]

Very good information. Thank you.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching Patrick!

[@user-scooter1965]

Job well done Sandy. Great job taking your time doing the proper diagnostics and doing the job right.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Scooter!

[@garynicholls72]

Great job, well done, I think getting to the glow plugs is a tough nut to crack. it's not an easy place to get to, but well done to you. I'm glad you fixed it. Working on that type of tractor doesn't look easy because it's so compact

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Gary. Was a tight fit for sure

[@markholmes1346]

Great video Sandy, well explained and I learned from it today! Thanks! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for coming along for the video today Mark

[@buddyreed2623]

Hi Sandy. Fantastic DIY solution with the wire. I hope you saved the two good plugs just as a temporary backup. The adapter is a universal joint or u-joint. You knew that, it just took a walk from the memory. An extendable magnet could come in handy as well as a laser pointer. I thought I had missed a video because I did not remember you mentioning the problem. It may be Spring on the calendar, but not outside. The calendar was printed in the Bahamas. All is well now. Have good days!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Buddy Reed! Big relief to get the 4 glow plugs switched out and the tractor up and running now.

[@Blast357]

a quick test also if you have a Amp clamp, just put it around the ground or positive battery wire... you should have 20Amp+ when the glowplugs are on. if not, you have a bad one... then checking one by one is needed :) great video!! (ill go buy 4 and put them on the shelf! lol)

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for that!

[@m9ovich785]

Nice Diagnosis and Fix Sandy. Pick up a cheap test Light to compliment Your Meter. The one that looks like Scratch Awl with a wire Pig tail Pigtail You could have done both tests with out having to remove the Glow Plug. You'd put the Light in series with 12 volts and the plug, a good Plug will light the Lamp. Good choice to replace all 4. Mike M.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I think your'e right there about the test light.

[@jeffhuffman5433]

I have the same problem with my Mahindra and I will say I do not like the cycle for the glow plugs in the warm weather they are not needed. I feel like it's only using them up for no benefit. I'm probably going to do what you did and then Fix me a switch so I can only use them when I choose to. thanks Sandy this helps a lot.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad I could help Jeff and thanks for watching!

[@pgerry9400]

Hitting on all 4 = winner !!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks! Worked out real well for me fortunately

[@okanagansawmill]

Nice work sandy I'm sure thats a relive.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thank you!

[@tombooks1410]

Next time you work on your tractor engine. Raise the loader all the way up and be sure to block it. Makes working on the engine super easy. Great video.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That would be handy for sure. Only reason I didn't in this case is the tractor was struggling to start so much that I didn't want to go through that again before I changed the plugs. If I was thinking I would've raised the loader up when I parked it last in the shop.

[@rodneywroten2994]

Great job Sandy

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Rodney!

[@leonkaczor2405]

Great fix !!!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Leon

[@daleclementson8761]

Since you had them all out. You're money ahead just to replace all four.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I think you're right there Dale. I decided to go that route just so I'm starting fresh and hopefully don't have to deal with those again

[@earlzathome]

Nice fix! Kept all the skin on your knuckles too!

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahah I was close on a few occasions

[@jimputnam2044]

Good repair Sandy. May I make a suggestion for next time. Never use a live wire like you did to check for a spark, use a test light and hook it up the same as you did, but instead of a big spark the light will light. With all the electronics on newer vehicles a touch in the wrong place could blow up your ECM, a lot of the inputs to the ECM are 2.5 or 5 volts. 12 volts from a live wire would be the end of that for sure. PL. before you all correct me on this I am a licenced mechanic with 40 YRS. in the shop.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching Jim.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'll have to find one of those test lights. I don't have one

[@payne7028]

@@sawingwithsandy You can very easily make one with some scrap wire and a little bulb you most likely have laying around the shop!

[@payne7028]

Go to South Main Auto Repair LLC - How to make your own test lights

[@brianwestveer9532]

Nice,I would replace all of them,the ones that work may soon go bad too. Better safe then sorry

[@sawingwithsandy]

For sure. I ended up replacing all 4 just to be sure

[@number40Fan]

The safest way to check the glow plugs is to use an old school test light. You could easily burn a hole in an injector line using the hot wire method like you did.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for watching. I haven't used a test light before but maybe I can add one to my tool box one day

[@tyrondeau8621]

so, describe this for us. The test light would connect to each single glow plug and light up via positive from the battery if working- not light up if not working?... Is this correct?...Just to verify this idea... Thanks

[@m9ovich785]

@@tyrondeau8621 The test light is in series with any 12 Volt source. He'd have to remove the Buss bar to test each Plug. Put the Clip lead on a 12 Volt source and touch the tip to the Plug, No light, plug no good.

[@1768ify]

Or use an ohm meter.

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Nice fixed

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Larry

[@carlmclelland7624]

Sandy, just to make you feel all Warn and Fuzzy, I just looked outside and... it's snowing - AGAIN - in Sparks, Nevada. Will it ever stop?!?! I could be a real smart-ass and suggest you change the plugs, points and condenser, and then boil out the carburetor, but I think you would see thru my humor. Hahahahaha............... I applaud the test methods you used to check the glow plugs and glow plug relay! Make yourself a second set of leads for your multimeter, and put alligator clips on the ends of the leads. That's what I did - actually, I have two... well really three meters (two Harbor Freight and one really good one for my electronic stuff). Now for the test; do you know the difference between voltage and amperage? Ready?? Drum roll, please.... VOLTAGE is what you feel when you stick your finger in a hot lamp socket. AMPERAGE is what you feel when you stick your finger in a hot lamp socket... while standing barefoot in a puddle of water! Don't try that at home!! Take care, buddy........

[@sawingwithsandy]

hahah I like that one Carl! I'll take your word on it

[@billyhaddock5540]

Congrats Sandy on figuring-out that the glow plugs/2 were bad. you have come a long way working on your stuff. do you live in a cabin? show us if you do..

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Billy! I do have a cabin but I don't live in it full time.

[@randyzapton6424]

If you plug the block heater in it will start a lot easier than not plugged in.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good question Randy. I tried plugging in the block heater before I replaced the glow plugs but still got a hard start

[@davidsmathers5621]

Hey sandy make sure you check your new glow plug with your jumper cables just cause there new doesn't mean there good good luck

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good point there David.

[@pachydermhomestead]

I made the comment that my diesel pickup had the same issue and was fairly confident that the glow plugs were your issue. If it was the relay, I am pretty sure your starting would have been a lot harder or not at all. Diesel uses compression and the heat in the cylinders to fire.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I appreciate your help on this one. Ended up being the glow plugs as you mentioned. Glad it got back up and running without too much trouble

[@pachydermhomestead]

@sawingwithsandy I am glad it wasn't too hard to replace them. One thing that can cause glow plugs to burn out, besides age, is starting the tractor before the light goes out. It's really hard on them to be glowing and the engine running. At least that is what I was told when I had mine replaced.

[@sail4free1]

What was the purpose of that flat bar which seemed to connect to all 4 glow plugs? I initially thought that was what powered up the glow plugs but apparently not? We have a 7.3 diesel in our 2000 F350 (347,000 miles). 7 of 8 glow plugs were shown as open = no bueno but we're rarely in temps below freezing so it was never much of an issue. I went deep to remove the valve covers (stayed overnight in my truck camper at the car parts lot) and I could see the high-voltage harnesses which fire the injectors was a mess = breaks in the insulation everywhere so I took it to a reputable diesel shop and they installed new harnesses, new valve cover gaskets *and* all new glow plugs. The ol' girl now runs better than ever before -- at least since I bought the truck in 2012. :) On a cold start, our glow plugs can stay ON for up to 2 minutes (as needed) to help the engine warm up faster with less resistance. I'm guessing that shortens their service life and maybe no need to use 'em at all on warmer days? Just ignore the *wait to start* light and hit the starter?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Jim! Great to hear you got the ole truck going! That flat metal piece connected each glow plug and provided them power

[@sail4free1]

@@sawingwithsandy -- I see -- so that *was* the power supply. Thanks! :)

[@chjp2346]

Very good diagnostics Sandy, easy stuff first. Not having been under that hood before I was wondering how easy it would be to remove the loader? Would that make the glow plug job easier? Thanks for the video, very educational.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question. I thought about getting that loader out of the way but after looking closely at the. connections I figured it was a bit of a chore

[@46akinz]

Great job dude! Could have been a lot worse!

[@sawingwithsandy]

I'm fortunate it went so smoothly for sure

[@PapaRug.58]

Volt meters have their place but I use a test light to check if it has power as you can read voltage but it may not have enough amperage to heat up the glow plugs and a good rule of thumb is if 5o% are not working change them all to be safe get a spare relay to have on hand you did well grasshopper lol

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Doug! Those test lights sound like something I"ll have to get some time. Yeah I figured the same way and ended up changing all 4 glow plugs just to be safe

[@PapaRug.58]

@@sawingwithsandy those test lights are cheap if you have a princess auto store or crappy tire (aka Newfie Speed an Sport ) I buy the one with the long curly cord on it and the heavy ground clamp

[@payne7028]

Great work!

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks!

[@perrybroughton4728]

Your area is starting to look like Newfoundland with all the snow.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Sure seems like it's never ending haha

[@geoffreykail9129]

Save the two that work as back ups if you replace them all. The reason for the smoke was the two cold cylinders weren't burning fuel completely and when it warmed up in got complete burn of the fuel in those cylinders.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Greta point Geoffrey!

[@luismacedo5451]

Hi, How many hours your tractor had when that happened? My Kioti ck3710 is less than a year old with 40 hours in the clock and recently started doing the same as yours, white smoke at first start up. Thanks

[@morgansword]

Sandy, I wasn't aware for some reason you were having some issues with the tractor. I am a professional diesel mechanic. All said and done, a diesel engine is a heat pump.. requires no spark to ignite the fuels it can run on. Other than jelling, no fuel that you put in a tractor engine (diesel engines) is bad fuel. It will run on any fuel, new or a hundred years old. It will not burn algae or junk thats not flammable. Lighter grade fuels like gasoline are a problem because of pre ignition so will not work... but you can pour your cooking oil in a diesel engine and it will run just fine because its a heat pump, not a spark plug. Dirt Perfect had a podcast just recently, if your interested in listening to it ... I can send a link if your not able to google it. Mike had a diesel engineer and another person who is well respected in diesel explain how it works. I even picked up a lot from this podcast... such as you can pull the injectors out of any diesel engine and replace with spark plugs and set it up to run on gasoline since you have replaced the ignition system. I am quite sure its not a simple thing as just toss in a sparkplug but for sake of conversation, this can be done... there are contributing factors like compression, a distributor... ect.. that need to happen if doing a conversion and why would you short of pieces and parts to make it a working diesel engine.... like its fuel pump were ir irreplaceable, then maybe it may have to be done to keep working the machine. Many people convert though from diesel to waste oil in their fuel systems because of one reason or another. One thing tho.... I know it starts well now, but a little heat from a block heater when possible is nice.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Morgan! Always appreciate the info from you. Gives me lots to consider. Thanks again

[@BobSmith-iu3hx]

Hello from Eastern Ontario ( Ottawa ). I watch another KZbin channel from Central Ontario called GP Outdoors, have you heard of this channel ?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Bob! I do know Gord . Great person!

[@johndsmithkoipondgarden.878]

What is the life expectancy of the glow plugs ?,....100,000 miles google says, Surely your tractor does not have that kind of miles, Glad you got it fixed, did not look like it was that big of a job. Interesting video.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi John, I'm not too sure what length of time those glow plugs should last for

[@flowerstone]

It’s a good idea to blow out all the dirt and wash or wipe everything down before removing parts. Dirt is a big deal with diesel motors.

[@sawingwithsandy]

For sure Russ, I found using the compressor in this video to be pretty good with the tight spaces

[@davidsmathers5621]

Hey that motor could use a good steamer coming summer time

[@sawingwithsandy]

For sure. Sure is dirty isn't it

[@ReefMimic]

If a shop looks too organized, you know it ain’t being used.

[@sawingwithsandy]

I"m with you on that one

[@allenandmain]

We’ll always something seems, I have to deal with it should go fishing at gulf shores

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good day out fishing would be nice right about now!

[@mirceanouradachian9168]

👍👍👍💙💛❤BRAV SANDY, CUM AI REZOLVAT INTR-UN MOD INTELIGENT ACEASTA PROBLEMA. TRACTORUL ESTE PE MAINI BUNE.💙💛❤👍👍👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Mircea! Mulțumesc pentru că! Sunt foarte fericit că îl am din nou în funcțiune!

[@ozarkarky]

Glow plugs shouldn't go bad that fast. 😕. I've got 'em that are over 20 years old and still going strong. Now watch me go out and have 'em all go bad 😱

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I was a bit surprised at the glow plugs as well but I don't have a lot of experience with them. Hopefully that's the last time I have to deal with them

[@jimmaskell7537]

You just saved a few hundred dollars by doing that yourself 👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks!

[@conmanumber1]

Put a Amsoil Diesel additive in for winter diesel.

[@tomki6asp]

Sandy, why the wood attached to the front grill guard?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question Tom, That's my chainsaw holder. I plunge cut a slot down the middle of that piece of wood for my chainsaw bar

[@sawingwithsandy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWWTd42FhdN-mZY here's me making it if you're interested

[@donnawade2225]

did you change out all of the plugs or just the bad ones

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Donna, I did change out all 4 glow plugs

[@dennishayes65]

Sandy changed all 4 glow plugs.

[@tittukuriakose9779]

What are the fuses you showed and why check it ?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Fuses for the glow plugs. I checked them to be sure a fuse wasn’t preventing power from getting to the fuse

[@bay9876]

The glow plugs always seem the issue from this type of problem.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad it was a pretty straight forward fix. Back up and running thankfully!

[@alvinbeasley4621]

Have you changed the fuel filters

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hi Alvin, I left the fuel filters for now since the problem seemed to be the glow plugs.

[@terryeason4319]

👍👍🚜🚜👍👍

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you liked the video Terry

[@rexmccomb7589]

When you work by yourself I use a light or horn

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hey Rex, when testing circuits or what do you use those for?

[@rexmccomb7589]

@@sawingwithsandy Yes, that way you know the circuit is working like where you hook your meter. If you can’t get where you can see your meter or see if something is working just took a horn to it electric horn beeps you know the circle is good because it puts a load on it.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That's a great idea Rex! Thanks for that I'm going to keep that in mind and use it

[@rexmccomb7589]

@@sawingwithsandy your welcome I just put alligator clips on each end and it’s cheap and works great

[@dahbeh9975]

its a Kioti, thats the problem ;)

[@randyzapton6424]

Why do you not plug the tractor in when you're in the shop to keep it warm. It will start a lot easier if you do.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Great question Randy. I generally only plug the tractor in when it's cold out around like -10celcius or so. In this instance I tried plugging the tractor in and it did start slightly better but still was hard starting due to the bad glow plugs

[@chetnash5991]

White smoke? Did you elect a new Pope?

[@sawingwithsandy]

Fortunately the 4 glow plugs did the trick and I'm back in the driver seat!