John Deere 430 diesel - won't start

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey guys need some help . Late last year I bought a used JD 430 diesel garden tractor. Mowed with it once and it started and ran fine . She has about 1800 hours on her . Two weeks ago I started it up , warmed her up and did an oil and filter change.

Mowed for about an hour and noticed I was losing hydraulic fluid so I parked her in the garage . The next morning a mini Exxon Valdez spill on the floor ☹️ . So I topped off the fluid in anticipation of looking for the leak . But now it won't start .

Battery is 10 years old , it did turn over but maybe not enough power for the glow plugs ? The glow plugs indicator light on the dash does come on and goes off after about 8 seconds like it should . With the key in the " on " position I hear the electric fuel pump running .

While the motor is cranking puffs of grey smoke coming out the exhaust. This morning I am getting a new battery and I will bleed the fuel filter . If there is no air in the system does that point to glow plugs ? Any other thoughts ? She was running great when I noticed the hydro fluid leak . Fuel tank is topped off with fresh fuel . I need to get this fixed ASAP the grass is in need of a cut .

[Seahawk]

I own two diesel MF 2300’s that are both over 17 years old, still running great. But, it does take some work

Some questions:

Does it crank normally...same speed as before?

If so, think glow plug. They do wear out and are easy to replace.

If not, think battery. Diesels take a certain crank speed to complete the fuel cycle.

Also check the sensor under the seat if it has one. I have had one fail. The 2300 won’t start if the sensor or connections are bad. I replaced the whole harness for the seat.

Edit: In fact, I got new seats for both!

Next would be the transmission neutral position sensor. First fiddle with it while you crank the engine (assuming a good battery). My have gotten sloppier and will be replaced.

Check fuel filter as well. If it has been sitting there may be blockage. Also check to see if fuel is getting to the engine. Your owner manual should tell you how. It is easy on the 2300 once you get the hang of it.

Does you JD have auto cutoff for low fluids, especially oil?

All I got!

Good luck.

[rfuerst911sc]

It is cranking slower but for now I am saying that is due to the old battery . So a new battery this morning will take that out of the picture . One thing I have to check is the operation of the fuel shut off. If that is not opening when cranking starts it will not start.

Seat safety switch was bypassed by previous owner. Neutral safety switch must be working because the engine is cranking . When they go bad it is my understanding that the starter won't engage .

Appreciate the feedback, hopefully I can get this fixed quickly . Thanks

[asphaltgambler]

If there's grey smoke coming out of the exhaust, smells like raw diesel then you're getting fuel - at least from your post. I have a '91/ 430 and it usually will start in cool weather w/o the glow plugs. There is an electronic glow plug relay that does fail. Quickest thing is take a 12 gauge wire to positive battery post, direct to 1 glow plug ( they are wired in series) give it 6-8 seconds- then crank. You're essentially bypassing the relay.

As far as the leak, the hydraulic oil filter could be loose or fitting leaking, possibly a quick fix. Let me know

[pete3799]

Paul has it pretty much covered.
Try a snort of ether ( do NOT use the glow plugs with the ether) and see if it fires.

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Had not considered the glow plugs relay so thanks for the suggestion. Hydro filter looks dry but everything else is a mess . I need to get her started so I can move it to a spot in my driveway where I can hit the underside with a garden hose .

Then I will hit it with compressed air . Once I have it cleaned I should be able to watch for leaks . I was surprised to see a hard line that someone has done a braze repair so that could be the leaker .

[Crowbob]

I’m going with glow plug problem (or weak battery).

The symptoms fit with fuel failing to ignite which requires pressure and heat.

[asphaltgambler]

I'm fairly knowledgeable about these as I restored mine @2 years ago..........

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I'm fairly knowledgeable about these as I restored mine @2 years ago..........

That is excellent. All my small diesel stuff is with the 2300's and my "trouble shooting" may not apply

BTW, when you get the new battery, get a small battery charger. All my tractor and electric start gens are on them year round when parked.

[cabmandone]

Cranking speed is incredibly important. A slight decrease in battery CCA can extend crank times and even cause a no start situation (had this happen on a Deere 323D) Parasitic load due to oil being colder/thicker along with a battery that isn't performing well can cause no/slow start. You're in GA. unless it's really cold that thing should start with or without the GP's. I think you're on the right track with the battery. I'd charge the old battery, take it to a store that has a load tester and have it checked. If the CCA is low, get a new one.

BTW, what oil are you running in it?

[rfuerst911sc]

I just got home from Wally world, they were $80.00 cheaper than auto parts stores for equivalent CCA . I have it on a charger now before I do the install. I am also installing a new positive terminal end the old one was cracked .

I am running conventional 15w40 diesel oil . It's in the low 70's as I am typing this so viscosity not an issue . The old battery was 500 CCA the new one is 640 and 800 CA at 32 degrees so it should spin the diesel just fine . Will know in a little bit . Thanks guys

[asphaltgambler]

Recent pho-tos............

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Nice looking Deere !! Well mine is now running ...... . yeah 😋 . My hypothesis is the old battery had enough juice to crank but not enough to activate the electronic fuel shut off enough to let fuel through.

When I put the new battery in she fired right off . I drove it around some and then hit the underside with the hose . Then blew it all dry and drove into the garage over some cardboard. In ten minutes I had a hydraulic fluid puddle ☹️ .

I crawled underneath and there's fluid everywhere. I am heading to the Deere dealer that the previous owner had them rebuild the power steering column . They did the work 8/21 and I have the receipt. I am not blaming them but maybe they will give me a break . I just don't have the time to mess with it I have too much other stuff going on .

[asphaltgambler]

Keep us posted

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Keep us posted

Yup.

Nice, asphaltgambler.

[asphaltgambler]

^^^thankee son!

[rfuerst911sc]

I am back from the Deere dealer. I wanted to talk to service and believe it or not he remembers the previous owner and the steering column repair they did last August . The service dude said they told the previous owner that there were other possible leaks but he chose not to repair ☹️ . Dumb $hit !

So I am making arrangements to bring the tractor to the dealership on Wednesday . They are 2-3 weeks out with current work load . I can borrow my neighbors Cub Cadet once or twice to get me by .

The dealership had only 300 series in stock . All 500 and 700 series no stock . A 500 series with a 54" deck is 7K !!! A 700 series diesel is waaaay over 10K . I have no problem sinking some money into this old workhorse . As the saying goes they don't build them like this anymore . I will provide an update when I have one.

[asphaltgambler]

I’ll tell you that even if you had to rebuild your 430 and spent $7-8K, it’s far above the diesel 700 series of today. I’ve looked at all of them and while the new models offer a lot of refinements and user convenience, they are NOT built like a 330 /430.

When the 430 was new (mine) in 1991, it retailed for @$10K with no attachments. In today’s dollar that is @$18K. That thing has every feature that a full size tractor had of the day. Good examples with maintenance history and reasonable hrs are going for big bucks because they represent value and long-life service.

I have @$6k in mine including purchase price, restoration, mower deck restoration and a new 4-way 54” hydraulic blade

[rfuerst911sc]

I agree . I bought it last fall for $2400.00 with a 60" deck . The deck has had some weld repairs but seems solid . It cuts quite well . I am slowly going to bring her to former glory . I have already painted the fender deck top and bottom . I painted the front grill just have the two side panels and center column to go .

Unfortunately my 332 overheated two weeks ago mowing the lawn . I shut her down as soon as I saw the light on the dash . But now she won't turn over so the engine may be stuck ☹️ . So at the moment I am screwed for mowing my lawn . Not sure what I am going to do with the 332 but I have to get the 430 going .

I am currently gathering parts to do a 3.8 engine build on a 1999 996 C4 and I have a truck camper to restore so the 332 goes to the back of the line .

[asphaltgambler]

My wife is incredibly patient with me and all my projects as far as spending money and time. But when we bought our new-to-us home with a little bit of property - I just had to have a vintage Deere to mow with. Because I had other stuff going on and was trying to find certain parts no longer made, it was about 1-1/2 years and a fair amount of $$ as I said above.

Just as I was close to finishing it she started to question more the amount of money I was spending. So, the following Saturday, I took her to the local JD dealer and the parts guy gave her the ladies JD hat of her choice - she picked one up and loves it. Next as we 're walking outside to the parking lot, we pass by a row of new 700 series lawn tractors. I told her.....look at the price tag...........that was all she wrote, went home happy.