Volvo Mini Excavator ....mechanical question

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

Hello,
I have a 2006 Volvo Ec15b with low hours (500) it runs fine but has a difficult time starting up.
On a cold start, the engine turns for almost 12-15 seconds before it fires up.
The warmer is it the faster it starts up.

It has a brand new battery and fresh fuel filters.

Is there anything else i can check or change before i play with the fuel pump ?..

thanks in advance.
regards, Nick.

funwithfuel · Dec 24, 2017

Read your ops manual for proper use of preheater.

Ronsii · Dec 24, 2017

^^ X2

and how cold is cold? also what engine oil are you running?

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

funwithfuel said:
Read your ops manual for proper use of preheater.

Do you mean the glow plugs?
I let the glow plugs cycle before i start it

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

Ronsii said:
^^ X2

and how cold is cold? also what engine oil are you running?

Im using Rotella 15-40 & by cold start i meant to say first start of the day.
The outside Temp doesnt seem to change the starting habbits of the machine.
Yes of course if it was -30 degrees Celsius that would be different, but im talking about under normal conditions

funwithfuel · Dec 24, 2017

There may be, MAY be a little needle valve on the return side of the fuel system. Some call it a jet start. Anyway, look for that and Ser if you can open it a little to allow positive priming of the fuel system.
Does she smoke like mad at first with glow plugs? It should be minimal.

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

When it does start, It does smoke, only for 15 seconds kinda thing

funwithfuel · Dec 24, 2017

So that sounds fair for a cold start. But it does sound like you're losing prime. Have you checked all clamps and banjos to make sure everyone is tight? Also check filter and water separator specifically the bowl seal. Notorious for air intrusion.

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

Thanks, i will check the clamps & filter water separator, but the one thing i dont understand is, when the machine is warm, it fires up right away.
Dealership says fuel pump.

funwithfuel · Dec 24, 2017

That's the reason I believe you have air intrusion. 15-20 seconds is a lot for a dinky little 3 cylinder. That's enough to pick up lost fuel though. Let's hope pumpguy chimes in .

walkerv · Dec 24, 2017

funwithfuel said:
That's the reason I believe you have air intrusion. 15-20 seconds is a lot for a dinky little 3 cylinder. That's enough to pick up lost fuel though. Let's hope pumpguy chimes in .

im not sure what engine is in a mini volvo but the little 3 cylinder diesel that is in my john deere gator was starting like crap when it finally got cold by north carolina standards it was almost a no start 1500 hrs on it , checked the one glow plug i could see and found it was open , once i removed the valve cover to get to the other 2 found they were also open , put in 3 glow plugs and checked valve adjustment while i could now it starts in seconds again, just remembered i have on;line access to volvo parts let me see what it has for starting aid

walkerv · Dec 24, 2017

Nick16 said:
Hello,
I have a 2006 Volvo Ec15b with low hours (500) it runs fine but has a difficult time starting up.
On a cold start, the engine turns for almost 12-15 seconds before it fires up.
The warmer is it the faster it starts up.

It has a brand new battery and fresh fuel filters.

Is there anything else i can check or change before i play with the fuel pump ?..

thanks in advance.
regards, Nick.

i would unhook the electric bus bar that connects the 3 glow plugs and do an ohms check on them individually my gator that i just replaced the glow plugs in all ohmed out at about 3.6 on the new ones , i can get you the volvo part number for them if you find that is what is wrong but need the whole model and serial number , there is 3 EC15B listed one is an xr,xt and xtv i checked 2 of the models and they have different glow plugs sound like you have a glow plug that is not working that makes starting those little engines hard starting

Nick16 · Dec 24, 2017

walkerv said:
i would unhook the electric bus bar that connects the 3 glow plugs and do an ohms check on them individually my gator that i just replaced the glow plugs in all ohmed out at about 3.6 on the new ones , i can get you the volvo part number for them if you find that is what is wrong but need the whole model and serial number , there is 3 EC15B listed one is an xr,xt and xtv i checked 2 of the models and they have different glow plugs sound like you have a glow plug that is not working that makes starting those little engines hard starting

Ill try it and do some tests, keep you guys posted, thaks for the help

thepumpguysc · Dec 24, 2017

You guys are right on the money IMHO..
Glow plugs & air.. You can check for air by loosening the inlet line on the inj. pump & have someone spin the engine..
If theres air, there wont be fuel.. for a few seconds anyway..
IF its not loosing prime, fuel will blow out right away..
I've never trusted the ohm test.. I ALWAYS take them out & test..
Just because you "use or cycle" the gp's, doesn't mean they're actually turning on & getting hot.. gotta test them to be sure..
Good luck.. & Merry Christmas..

joispoi · Dec 25, 2017

I had the same machine (2008). Slow start was typical when it was cold. More so if the fuel tank wasn't topped off. Check the fuel pick up inside the tank. A dried out hose or bad connection can allow air into the fuel lines.

You should be able to hear the lift pump running when you switch the key to the on position. Try cycling the glow plugs a couple of times before cranking. This will give the lift pump more time to prime the fuel delivery to the injection pump. This will also heat the plugs more. But unless you're getting a lot of smoke before it fires up, it's probably air infiltration.

Ben Witter · Dec 26, 2017

My first question would be are you holding the ignition switch in the preheat position for 20-30 sec. before you try starting the machine?

As has been stated check for air in the fuel system first. Crack the bleeders and run the fuel pump while checking for air bubbles. Does the engine start better if you prime the fuel system before trying to start it?
Does the engine smoke while cranking? The engine will smoke for a bit when started.

Next is the glow plug circuit. As has been said just because the display is showing glow plug operation you cannot assume that the plugs are actually heating. Check for voltage at the glow plugs as well as voltage drop at every connection in the circuit. It is common for the glow plug connectors to have high resistance. If there is high resistance it will show up as a warm/hot spot. Be careful they can get hot enough to burn your fingers.
Check the resistance of each glow plug individually and current draw. Should be 0.55 Ohm and 9.7 A

You state you have a new battery but what is your battery voltage and cranking voltage as well as cranking speed.

Welder Dave · Dec 26, 2017

Yes, how long are you turning the glow plugs on? I don't know what engine it has but some engines need the glow plugs on 2 or 3 cycles or as long as a minute and a half. My skid steer needs over a minute on a cold day and had a Hino truck that needed the glow plugs cycled 3 times and throttle held wide open till it reached 1000 RPM to keep running. Are the batteries good? If it's not turning over fast enough it will be harder to start.

walkerv · Dec 26, 2017

should he happen to need glow plugs I have his part number but cannot find a cross for it volvo wants 60 usd each for a glow plug , here is volvo part# 7410757 , as cold as he is up there in canada i would think 15 second crank time probably isnt to bad to get one of those lil 3 cylinders fired up .

Welder Dave · Dec 27, 2017

Canada is a big place with some areas much colder than others. Actual temperature would be a better way to describe starting issues.

Delmer · Dec 27, 2017

"Canada is a big place with some areas much colder than others. Actual temperature would be a better way to describe starting issues."

I always think the same thing when I see Canada as a location. Alaska is even worse, as much difference between Fairbanks and Juneau as "Canada". Sounds like he's talking about slow starting even at 50F, but the temp does make a big difference as to how long you need to runthe glow plugs on some engines.

Nick16 said:
...by cold start i meant to say first start of the day.
The outside Temp doesnt seem to change the starting habbits of the machine.
Yes of course if it was -30 degrees Celsius that would be different, but im talking about under normal conditions

Volvo Mini Excavator ....mechanical question

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member