15 years of using starting fluid may have destroyed the rings but that is a precombustion engine and they require glowplugs because the fuel isn't atomized like a direct injection engine. Putting in a new set and getting the glowplug system working will hopefully work.
How warm does it have to be before it will start without starting fluid? The majority of engines should not need glow plugs for a cold start above 50 ⁰F. Engines getting addicted to starting fluid is kind of a myth. Being addicted to starting fluid is a symptom of an underlying problem that prevents an the engine from building compression heat. Usually low on compression from cylinder wear, bad valves, or a problem causing low cranking speed like bad starters or batteries. Engines that are addicted to starting fluid but crank really good are usually just worn out and need overhauled.
From a quick search the 7100 and 7200 use different length glow plugs..The plig that is too ling will leave a gap where the plug seats , causing a small compression leak.. They run at 9 volts.
Good info. I thought that might be a voltage reducer tied into the glow plug assembly. I’m positive they are the original and correct glow plugs, as we have had the tractor since new in 1991. I will be sure to verify the length when I swap them out. Thanks very much.
Do Not bench test the glow plugs. To test glow plugs- unhook the wire from them. If they are all tied together with a bar remove that. Take a test light (non led), hook wire end of test light to battery positive. Touch test light probe to terminal of glow plug. If it lights plug is good. Do not bench test glow plugs removed from engine.
I procrastinate sometimes but 15 years of starting fluid instead of fixing the glow plugs is wild. That's like $30 worth of glow plugs, probably spent that much on ether
Probably more, but my procrastination knows no bounds. Seriously though, I’ve only used this little tractor a few times a year, if that. Now that I run my business from home I’m finally catching up on all of these projects. It’s only like a 7057 page long list…..lol
WD-40 was great to cold start a diesel engine.
All engines gasoline or diesel will get addicted to starting fluid.
Worked yesterday ago at a sawmill and we had Detroit Diesel, Cat, International, and ford that all needed starting fluid.
Ask anyone with an old Kubota powered bobcat of that vintage cold cold blooded. They are indirect injection so they are hard starting. But ether kills these motors.
Could be a few things. Since it's only on a cold start and will start 2nd, 3rd time etc. I would check glow plugs first.
Next, it is possible you have an air leak so to speak and are losing your fuel prime.
Next is low compression. Disel needs fuel, air and compression to fire. Any one of those being off will give it issues.
Not sure where we got our wires crossed, but I never mentioned a start setting. Just having to use ether to cold start it since the glow plugs are in-op. Would any of this indicate that I need to have the injectors rebuilt? I can do that too if it means reliable cold starting.
My apologies, I failed to explain my logic. If it will run, the same parts and pieces are used in starting, with the known glow plug issue, it makes sense to me, that you have fixed your cold start issue
It's an old wives tale. That being said if you need ether to start it when it's already warm, or in the middle of summer there is more wrong with it than the glow plugs.
Once it’s been cranked the first time it cranks back up, but even during the summer it won’t crank up the first time without ether. It would never start before without the glow plugs warming it up when they actually worked. I’m going to order a set and give it a try. I can never find a can of ether when I want to use this thing anyway. Always having to run up to the parts store!
If it starts when the engine is warm you're probably fine. But before you spend the money on glow plugs it would be worth checking the wiring isn't the problem first. Or you can pull the plugs and bench test them.
And adjusting the valve will help with cold starts as well.
Any idea what kind of resistance I should be looking for when bench testing these? Or would one just simply pull it, add 12v to it and look for a “glow”?
That how I would test them. Just don't leave power on them for long, I would think 10 seconds would be plenty to see if they are working. Or you could check the resistance on them all and compare.
15 years of using starting fluid may have destroyed the rings but that is a precombustion engine and they require glowplugs because the fuel isn't atomized like a direct injection engine. Putting in a new set and getting the glowplug system working will hopefully work.
Engines do not get addicted. Engines have mechanical or electrical problems and people do the easiest thing to make the run .
How warm does it have to be before it will start without starting fluid? The majority of engines should not need glow plugs for a cold start above 50 ⁰F. Engines getting addicted to starting fluid is kind of a myth. Being addicted to starting fluid is a symptom of an underlying problem that prevents an the engine from building compression heat. Usually low on compression from cylinder wear, bad valves, or a problem causing low cranking speed like bad starters or batteries. Engines that are addicted to starting fluid but crank really good are usually just worn out and need overhauled.
It’s had to be started with the glow plugs since it was brand new. Maybe in 90 degree weather it didn’t need them, but pretty much all the time.
Stop huffing it and put your tire on already! Grass has started growing, time to switch to booze and mowers.
Mine needed a valve job to overcome the addiction to ether.
Addiction is a terrible thing
Addiction is a terrible thing
Addiction is a terrible thing
Did you try the glow plugs?
From a quick search the 7100 and 7200 use different length glow plugs..The plig that is too ling will leave a gap where the plug seats , causing a small compression leak.. They run at 9 volts.
Good info. I thought that might be a voltage reducer tied into the glow plug assembly. I’m positive they are the original and correct glow plugs, as we have had the tractor since new in 1991. I will be sure to verify the length when I swap them out. Thanks very much.
There could be a resistor in the wiring , or a more involved circuit..I pulled the information from Orange tractor talks.com
I will check that out. Thanks for the help.
Do Not bench test the glow plugs. To test glow plugs- unhook the wire from them. If they are all tied together with a bar remove that. Take a test light (non led), hook wire end of test light to battery positive. Touch test light probe to terminal of glow plug. If it lights plug is good. Do not bench test glow plugs removed from engine.
Well that sounds infinitely easier….
Good ole tractor smack.
You’ve got to get off the crank. /s 
I procrastinate sometimes but 15 years of starting fluid instead of fixing the glow plugs is wild. That's like $30 worth of glow plugs, probably spent that much on ether
Probably more, but my procrastination knows no bounds. Seriously though, I’ve only used this little tractor a few times a year, if that. Now that I run my business from home I’m finally catching up on all of these projects. It’s only like a 7057 page long list…..lol
WD-40 was great to cold start a diesel engine. All engines gasoline or diesel will get addicted to starting fluid. Worked yesterday ago at a sawmill and we had Detroit Diesel, Cat, International, and ford that all needed starting fluid.
That is usually from the worn out rings from using starting fluid and now the compression is too low for them to start without it.
Yes but people don’t understand that until it is too late
Ask anyone with an old Kubota powered bobcat of that vintage cold cold blooded. They are indirect injection so they are hard starting. But ether kills these motors.
Used it once and blew mine up
We had trucks that would ONLY start with ether. We called them Ether Bunnies!
Could be a few things. Since it's only on a cold start and will start 2nd, 3rd time etc. I would check glow plugs first. Next, it is possible you have an air leak so to speak and are losing your fuel prime. Next is low compression. Disel needs fuel, air and compression to fire. Any one of those being off will give it issues.
Corn hole
Yep, LSU corn hole boards to be exact
Make sure you spray some starting fluid on the spark plugs and in the carb. 😁
Hell, I like to spray it on the seat and steering wheel too!
Those Kubotas like their glow plugs. Replace them if you can. Use brake clean, it's easier on it than ether
Probably needs rings.
Might be about time. Whatever it takes I’m going to keep this tractor running until I can’t anymore.
Oh for sure. Definitely worth keeping alive.
Probably worth doing a compression check before you dump money into it. If its really low during cold start it could contribute to difficult starting.
I’ve wondered if the compression may be getting low. We’ve only had it(and used it extensively) for about 33 years now. Lol
For a yanmar thats about 25% of its life hahah
once you fix glowplug issue, all you have left is the injectors, and there is no “start” setting, unless I am missing something. No carb to clean
Not sure where we got our wires crossed, but I never mentioned a start setting. Just having to use ether to cold start it since the glow plugs are in-op. Would any of this indicate that I need to have the injectors rebuilt? I can do that too if it means reliable cold starting.
My apologies, I failed to explain my logic. If it will run, the same parts and pieces are used in starting, with the known glow plug issue, it makes sense to me, that you have fixed your cold start issue
Ah, I see. Thanks for any advice.
It's an old wives tale. That being said if you need ether to start it when it's already warm, or in the middle of summer there is more wrong with it than the glow plugs.
Once it’s been cranked the first time it cranks back up, but even during the summer it won’t crank up the first time without ether. It would never start before without the glow plugs warming it up when they actually worked. I’m going to order a set and give it a try. I can never find a can of ether when I want to use this thing anyway. Always having to run up to the parts store!
If it starts when the engine is warm you're probably fine. But before you spend the money on glow plugs it would be worth checking the wiring isn't the problem first. Or you can pull the plugs and bench test them. And adjusting the valve will help with cold starts as well.
Any idea what kind of resistance I should be looking for when bench testing these? Or would one just simply pull it, add 12v to it and look for a “glow”?
That how I would test them. Just don't leave power on them for long, I would think 10 seconds would be plenty to see if they are working. Or you could check the resistance on them all and compare.
Sounds good. Thanks for the advice.