Restarting a 743 after being parked inside for 2+ years

ylsf

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Dec 17, 2007
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Hello all, We have an older 743 machine that was working fine which we brought inside a few years back and it has been parked for 2 + years in a heated space out of the elements. I don't know if the diesel was treated with anything at the time or if there is still diesel in the tank. We haven't tried to start it yet but wanted to come here first to see if anyone had any tips on things to check first before first trying to start it. I was planning to maybe put a clean piece of long skinny wood into the diesel tank to see if there is fuel in there. Any other suggestions?
 
I would think fuel should be fine. What I would do is crank it over several times with the fuel shut off pulled to get the lube oil primed. Also check the oil or possibly refill with fresh oil.
Being stored inside, personally i'd just spin it over and see how it goes.
If there is the chance you have mice in there, check the air filter, other than that, it should be all ok. I have found diesel to last for years without issues.
I wouldn't bother draining the oil till after it has run, to have a good oil change, you need it to be warm to get rid of any sludge that is in there. It would also mean you are starting it with a dry filter, so more possible time without oil.
 
Being stored inside, personally i'd just spin it over and see how it goes.
If there is the chance you have mice in there, check the air filter, other than that, it should be all ok. I have found diesel to last for years without issues.
I wouldn't bother draining the oil till after it has run, to have a good oil change, you need it to be warm to get rid of any sludge that is in there. It would also mean you are starting it with a dry filter, so more possible time without oil.
I would at least check the oil for any signs of water shouldn't be a problem being inside heated but condensation or a coolant leak could raise heck
 
I would think fuel should be fine. What I would do is crank it over several times with the fuel shut off pulled to get the lube oil primed. Also check the oil or possibly refill with fresh oil.
Don't EVER crank a diesel engine if the fuel supply is shut off to the engine. N-E-V-E-R!!!! The ONLY lubrication the internals in the injection pump receives is with the fuel it gets. If you knew what the tolerances are in one of those pumps you would gasp. They're in the millionths!! NEVER run an injection pump with having fuel in it.
 
Don't EVER crank a diesel engine if the fuel supply is shut off to the engine. N-E-V-E-R!!!! The ONLY lubrication the internals in the injection pump receives is with the fuel it gets. If you knew what the tolerances are in one of those pumps you would gasp. They're in the millionths!! NEVER run an injection pump with having fuel in it.
Funny we have a couple Ford tractors that the owners manual states after oil change to crank engine with fuel shut off solenoid disconnected to prime oil pump
 
Funny we have a couple Ford tractors that the owners manual states after oil change to crank engine with fuel shut off solenoid disconnected to prime oil pump
Just realized I never came back to post here. Ended up charging up the battery and it started on the first try back in the summer. Just wanted to update the post for anyone searching in the future. It has been sitting outside now for a few months but going to try to move it back inside somewhere over the winter.
 

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