CATinLiberia
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Messages
- 26
- Location
- Liberia, West Africa
- Occupation
- Missionary and Community Development
I have a CAT 420D (PIN # CAT0420DAFDP26886) that won't start. Here's a little history and a description of what I've tried...
My backhoe was shipped from the states to Liberia, West Africa about six years ago. The first few years, it was used lightly in a small mining operation, but sat most of the time. From 2012-2013, I used it in an equipment rental company and ran 10-20 hours a week for about 10 months. I never had a problem with the engine starting. No engine problems at all. The only issue I had was engine run-on when I turned off the key. Because the fuel quality is poor in Liberia I changed the fuel filter about every 80-100 hours and cleaned the fuel tank every 300-400 hours.
I parked the machine 24 months ago with a little over 2,000 hours on it. At the time, it was running and working perfectly. I live in Monrovia near the coast, so the machine has been subjected to some salt air and has sat out in the elements since arriving in Liberia (Monrovia receives about 17 ft. of rain during the six-month rainy season). The exhaust pipe has been covered nearly the entire time. This machine sat for 12 months back in 2010, but didn't have any problem starting back then.
I used the starter from this backhoe on one that I was selling, so I just installed a new aftermarket starter (not from CAT). I also installed a new 105 amp Bosch maintenance-free battery, a new key switch and a new direction control switch (both from CAT)... I stole a lot of parts to sell my other machine.
When I first tried to start it, the engine seemed to crank slow and would not fire. No smoke was visible from the exhaust pipe. I checked all the battery connections and discovered that the ground on the frame was very hot. After cleaning the ground, it cranked a little better, but would not fire (the engine turns OK a couple revolutions, then slows way down. I bled the fuel system and also verified fuel was coming from the injectors. Even though I never needed to heat the glow plugs due to the tropical climate, I checked them (they were wet with fuel). I cranked the engine with the glow plugs out and everything looked and sounded as expected (I don't have access to a compression tester). It appears the glow plug switch doesn't work, but I was able to use a jumper wire to heat the glow plugs. Still nothing fire, but I did get a little white smoke.
Out of desperation, I held a gasoline-soaked rag over the intake. A little white smoke, but still no fire. This is when I began to get really worried. I've also connected jumper cables from my diesel pickup to see if the engine would crank better, but it didn't help.
Diesels are not my specialty and the local mechanics have limited training and experience on these engines, so I am hesitant to open the engine. I don't have access to replacement parts here, so everything has to be shipped or carried on someone's luggage.
I'm really at a loss on what to try next. Maybe swap the starter to see if I can get it to crank faster? What else should I check? Any thoughts? Ideas? Advice?
My backhoe was shipped from the states to Liberia, West Africa about six years ago. The first few years, it was used lightly in a small mining operation, but sat most of the time. From 2012-2013, I used it in an equipment rental company and ran 10-20 hours a week for about 10 months. I never had a problem with the engine starting. No engine problems at all. The only issue I had was engine run-on when I turned off the key. Because the fuel quality is poor in Liberia I changed the fuel filter about every 80-100 hours and cleaned the fuel tank every 300-400 hours.
I parked the machine 24 months ago with a little over 2,000 hours on it. At the time, it was running and working perfectly. I live in Monrovia near the coast, so the machine has been subjected to some salt air and has sat out in the elements since arriving in Liberia (Monrovia receives about 17 ft. of rain during the six-month rainy season). The exhaust pipe has been covered nearly the entire time. This machine sat for 12 months back in 2010, but didn't have any problem starting back then.
I used the starter from this backhoe on one that I was selling, so I just installed a new aftermarket starter (not from CAT). I also installed a new 105 amp Bosch maintenance-free battery, a new key switch and a new direction control switch (both from CAT)... I stole a lot of parts to sell my other machine.
When I first tried to start it, the engine seemed to crank slow and would not fire. No smoke was visible from the exhaust pipe. I checked all the battery connections and discovered that the ground on the frame was very hot. After cleaning the ground, it cranked a little better, but would not fire (the engine turns OK a couple revolutions, then slows way down. I bled the fuel system and also verified fuel was coming from the injectors. Even though I never needed to heat the glow plugs due to the tropical climate, I checked them (they were wet with fuel). I cranked the engine with the glow plugs out and everything looked and sounded as expected (I don't have access to a compression tester). It appears the glow plug switch doesn't work, but I was able to use a jumper wire to heat the glow plugs. Still nothing fire, but I did get a little white smoke.
Out of desperation, I held a gasoline-soaked rag over the intake. A little white smoke, but still no fire. This is when I began to get really worried. I've also connected jumper cables from my diesel pickup to see if the engine would crank better, but it didn't help.
Diesels are not my specialty and the local mechanics have limited training and experience on these engines, so I am hesitant to open the engine. I don't have access to replacement parts here, so everything has to be shipped or carried on someone's luggage.
I'm really at a loss on what to try next. Maybe swap the starter to see if I can get it to crank faster? What else should I check? Any thoughts? Ideas? Advice?