Bobcat 863 Wont Start Unless Spraying Ether.

[Cimpson23]

Hi i am new here, but im having starting issues with a 2001 bobcat 863, it has the deutz oil cooled diesel engine. Ill start with what we have done, its getting fuel to the injectors, the fuel shutoff solenoid does work and the proper ohms, the machine has not jumped time i just checked it the other day and even ran the valves to make sure and also checked the pushrods and every thing is straight and in time, we put a brand new fuel lift pump on it last week also and that didnt fix it, there also is no codes that are thrown, the glow plugs were brand new last year, the compression on the machine was good also. So my conclusion is the glow plug relay is out on the machine because the glow plugs have no fire going to them. Also when cranking the machine there is no smoke coming out of the exhaust. It will just flat out not start without ether on a hot or cold day or even after it has been running awhile. This thing has been a real pain but hopefully somebody can give me some information what is going on because it just doesnt need to be being start on ether. All comments welcome!!!

 

[AlaskaAviator]

It is obvious the glow plugs are not working or you would have more problems squirting starting fluid in the motor. Thats the problem with glow plug motors, the wont start without them. Take a power stroke, a couple of glow plugs burn out, no start. Fix the glow plugs and your back in business. Another thing, an old saying about compression engines, once on the bottle they never get off of it.

 

[Cimpson23]

It is obvious the glow plugs are not working or you would have more problems squirting starting fluid in the motor. Thats the problem with glow plug motors, the wont start without them. Take a power stroke, a couple of glow plugs burn out, no start. Fix the glow plugs and your back in business. Another thing, an old saying about compression engines, once on the bottle they never get off of it.

Ok thanks and yes if they were working the motor would have already been in pieces but i didnt know if this machine relies on the glow plugs to start or not im am not familiar at all with the deutz engines.

 

[Tazza]

It is obvious the glow plugs are not working or you would have more problems squirting starting fluid in the motor. Thats the problem with glow plug motors, the wont start without them. Take a power stroke, a couple of glow plugs burn out, no start. Fix the glow plugs and your back in business. Another thing, an old saying about compression engines, once on the bottle they never get off of it.

Even without glow plugs, when it's warm it should still fire or at least give puffs of smoke. Have you cehcked the fuel pickup tube too? even rig up a jug of fuel to emiminate the fuel tank and hoses. This way you know it's not getting air in and causing it to loose prime just enough for it to not start without ether.
I agree to try and get it off ether, it si not good on the engine and will cause damage if you keep using it. Get your glow plugs working if there is no power to them and work from there.

 

[Mikefromcny]

Even without glow plugs, when it's warm it should still fire or at least give puffs of smoke. Have you cehcked the fuel pickup tube too? even rig up a jug of fuel to emiminate the fuel tank and hoses. This way you know it's not getting air in and causing it to loose prime just enough for it to not start without ether.
I agree to try and get it off ether, it si not good on the engine and will cause damage if you keep using it. Get your glow plugs working if there is no power to them and work from there.

How many hours are on it? I would do a compression check, sounds like compression is way down. My 873 will start without glow plugs down to about 30F so before it has to crank longer. On a 60F day its like starting a car. I would almost say maybe theres a fuel issue but you didnt mention anything about not having any power or quitting. Maybe the compression is so low the diesel "mist" isn't burning. Also how fast does it crank over?

 

[mahans7]

How many hours are on it? I would do a compression check, sounds like compression is way down. My 873 will start without glow plugs down to about 30F so before it has to crank longer. On a 60F day its like starting a car. I would almost say maybe theres a fuel issue but you didnt mention anything about not having any power or quitting. Maybe the compression is so low the diesel "mist" isn't burning. Also how fast does it crank over?

Hopefully the glow plugs are as simple as a bad relay but like they're saying above, get it off the ether pronto.

 

[Cimpson23]

Hopefully the glow plugs are as simple as a bad relay but like they're saying above, get it off the ether pronto.

Thanks for all the help im going to get a relay and try and work on it some more this weekend. Also it has 1500 hrs on it and we have tried to start it with an alternative fuel supply out of a clean jug of diesel and still no go but im gonna start with relay then work from there. Feel free to keep the comments coming guys never can have to much advice. Thanks Colby

 

[nebobcat]

Thanks for all the help im going to get a relay and try and work on it some more this weekend. Also it has 1500 hrs on it and we have tried to start it with an alternative fuel supply out of a clean jug of diesel and still no go but im gonna start with relay then work from there. Feel free to keep the comments coming guys never can have to much advice. Thanks Colby

Did you find a solution?

 

[Caleb Husted]

I had a problem with starting my 863 till I realized that the prime bulb for the fuel had a leaky check valve.
before tying to start your engine, give the priming bulb several squeezes till you are sure the bulb has been filled and resists being squeezed down. Then try to start. I replaced the bulb in mine and the problem went away. But, I still open up the back and give that bulb a squeeze or two before trying to start up. I haven't had a problem since started that routine.