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Finally getting back to work on the M51A2 1973 multifuel dump truck. And now for the first time since I have the truck, it will not start.
Background: the truck has been sitting idle outside for three years. Last time I started her up with the almost gone Hawker Armysafe's after a long period of sitting idle, without problem. Now, the Hawkers are dead and gone, and by lack of better, I first used a 12V 150 Ah tractor battery connected with a 12V 77 Ah diesel car battery, both fully loaded and good quality. Not ideal, but I did not have other batteries available.
Checked for hydro-lock, in-tank pump works fine, first fuel filter gives clear fuel under pressure from the in-tank pump.
Engine turned without problem, full of enthusiasm but just did not start. You had the feeling it was almost there, but missed that last inch.
Finally another tractor battery arrived, 100 Ah. Combined it with the 150 Ah, better results, almost there but still in the end the engine time and again drops down from the almost there to no dice turning over. With a gasser, I would say no sparks. Fuel seems to be ok, air filter is clean, it was later in the day but outside temps were around 70 F.
I did do the burst method: short stat burst, wait, another burst. In the end, I just kept my finger on the starter for over a minute to see if that helped. Worked a bit better, but still no final start.
1) Is this just a question of recharging the two big batteries and keep trying?
2) It has been rather humid during the last weeks, would keeping a small burner in front of the air intake help?
3) We are talking the old simple M51A2 multifuel truck here. Can it help if soldier 2 gives a sniff of ether into the air intake while soldier 1 cranks her over? Can that actually hurt more than it helps?
Before anybody makes a
remark, NO I will not try to do action 2 and action 3 at the same time.
Any other suggestions?
Background: the truck has been sitting idle outside for three years. Last time I started her up with the almost gone Hawker Armysafe's after a long period of sitting idle, without problem. Now, the Hawkers are dead and gone, and by lack of better, I first used a 12V 150 Ah tractor battery connected with a 12V 77 Ah diesel car battery, both fully loaded and good quality. Not ideal, but I did not have other batteries available.
Checked for hydro-lock, in-tank pump works fine, first fuel filter gives clear fuel under pressure from the in-tank pump.
Engine turned without problem, full of enthusiasm but just did not start. You had the feeling it was almost there, but missed that last inch.
Finally another tractor battery arrived, 100 Ah. Combined it with the 150 Ah, better results, almost there but still in the end the engine time and again drops down from the almost there to no dice turning over. With a gasser, I would say no sparks. Fuel seems to be ok, air filter is clean, it was later in the day but outside temps were around 70 F.
I did do the burst method: short stat burst, wait, another burst. In the end, I just kept my finger on the starter for over a minute to see if that helped. Worked a bit better, but still no final start.
1) Is this just a question of recharging the two big batteries and keep trying?
2) It has been rather humid during the last weeks, would keeping a small burner in front of the air intake help?
3) We are talking the old simple M51A2 multifuel truck here. Can it help if soldier 2 gives a sniff of ether into the air intake while soldier 1 cranks her over? Can that actually hurt more than it helps?
Before anybody makes a
remark, NO I will not try to do action 2 and action 3 at the same time. Any other suggestions?
This is new for me. 
