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First start of season - JD 9400

21K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  rook  
#1 ·
Last year in season we upgraded to a JD 9400. This week we'll be starting it (first time since fall) and I've heard rumours that they are tough starting first time in season (something with fuel pressure perhaps?).

Before I go out there and run the batteries down and get angry and raise my blood pressure maybe there are some tips on how best to start the thing. Does it need priming? any tips would be appreciated...
 
#2 ·
They are the biggest POS I've ever seen in terms of priming the fuel. Ours will lose pressure in a matter of a couple weeks, and it's a ***** to start. There's a little air bleeder near the hand primer. They like to be primed, 500-1000 pumps isn't a bad thing. After you shut it off, give it a few pumps to feel how stiff it is. You want it that close to make starting easier. It might sputter, catch then die once or twice, that's happened to me a few times.

Don't ever let ice get in the line, we had an issue with a bad batch of fuel, tractor wouldn't run, and somehow water got into the fuel line. Froze, and what a mess to get the line off, heated, drained, and then put it back on. Pumped that thing over 12,000 times that day, hand was awful sore. It's a tiny little primer that needs a bigger cap.

Bruce
 
#6 ·
Hint, make sure filter is full of fuel, what I normally do is fill base with fuel, slowly insert filter to soak fuel up, pinch return line off, might have to give it a snuff of bug juice, normally not, pump hand pump to load fuel to rail, should start right up, remove vicegrip right away, Scott.
 
#7 ·
Are you guys kidding?? We just bought one last week, I hope it starts better than your describing, it's a dozer tractor and we use them year round. Might sit for a day, week or a month. The last thing I need is a tractor that won't start when it's -30 :(.
 
#8 ·
Actual starting when cold is fine (although ours is plugged in). I wish they had some check valves to prevent back bleeding of fuel pressure. If you pump it up a bit before starting it, shouldn't be a problem. I made the mistake of trying to start it before priming it after it sat for 2-3 weeks.

Bruce
 
#9 ·
Really!

Never have used starter fluid or primed and mine starts every time after sitting for 5 months. I've never even heard of such trouble. Mine has about 3200hrs and is a 1997 model. I've had mine for over 5 years.

Are you guys sure there isn't something else wrong?

Just asking if there is something I should look out for?
 
#11 ·
They all have a check valve at the filter/water separator. It is common on many tractors with the engine above the tanks to bleed back somewhat during several months of no use. Read the operators manual, they tell you to prime it before attempting to start after a long period. As for it loosing its prime over a short period of time, there is obviously have a problem with an improperly installed oring or gasket at the filter, a cracked housing or there is contamination in the fuel system holding the check valve open. As for getting water in the fuel line, thats not from a "bad batch" of fuel, that is from failing to drain the condensation out of the tanks. The intake is not on the bottom, therefore water has to accumulate a fair amount before it ever causes a problem.

I have also seen where the primer pump was the source of air into the system and allowing the fuel to leak back to the tank, but usually only ahead of the filters, as at the filters is where the check valve is normally and is on these tractors. When this happens, the engine will start, run for maybe a few minutes, but quit shortly after and will be very hard to restart without bleeding the system.
 
#12 ·
I didn't mean it as the fuel directly, moreso that it gelled when it shouldn't have, and the water that was in there didn't hit the filter (which is supposed to get changed around the time of freeze-up, because of any entrapped water). UFA has yet to believe that there is a difference from #1 and #2 diesel. But, it very well could have been water in the fuel, there was a problem with a few UFA deliveries and tractors freezing up.

Bruce
 
#13 ·
there is most certainly something else wrong if your losing prime that fast. We have a 9300 and had a 9520 and those things could be a real pain in the ass sometimes for losing prime. we put a lawn sprayer pump in line on the 9300 for awhile. Something was wrong because now the 9300 starts just fine. I just don't remember what it was. Injecter O-rings or cups, maybe both i dunno.
 
#14 · (Edited)
We just went through this on our 9300 last fall. Would start for a minute or two and then quit. After filters, check valves, new injectors, and everything else in the fuel system they put a new charge pump on on the back of the head. The pumps after time can have a seal fail and start pumping air into the fuel system, but it won't when the motor warms up, or if it's not very cold outside. Dealer found out this recall after the fact. Almost 10,000 dollars later the thing started right up this spring (THANK GOD). This is the third 9000 Deere I have been around and if people are have problems starting in the spring as has been said there is something wrong with the tractor. These tractors should start with no start aid below 0 no problem. Ours right now has 8000 hours on it, and will crank for 2 seconds and fire even at O.
 
#15 ·
We were having issues with fuel this winter too, the only tractor effected was our 435 Versatile with the QSX, for some reason every time the temp dropped below -20 the thing would only run for about 15 minutes and plug up the fuel filter. I dumped two gallons of Howes fuel additives and two liters of Meltdown in it and it still didn't fix it. Tried draining water from the tanks (there's no sumps so water stays dispersed across the bottom of the tanks), lines and filters, nothing. Above -20 no problem, we have a Deere 8970 with the N14, same fuel, no problems. Had Cummins out, they couldn't figure it out...weird :confused:. We are just going to use up the fuel in the tank before we refuel and see what happens.
Our fuel supplier apparently mixes #1 and #2 diesel in the spring and fall now (I think it's to use up stock but not sure) and I suspect we got caught maybe but the Howes should have taken care of it I think.
 
#16 ·
I had the same problem of my 9400 losing prime. The problem got gradually worse, to the point you would have to hand prime it after it sat overnight. I replaced the charge pump, and it runs starts just fine now. It sat for over 3 months this winter and it started right up. I was told that those pumps have a tendency to gradually fail, rather than all at once. I too was frustrated, and was changing filters, replaced the check valve, ect. The charge pump is probably the problem.
 
#18 ·
Our 9520 was that way from the start when I first bought it new. JD replaced the check valve on the fuel line (twice) and the problem was cured. Supposedly fuel was leaking back into the tank. On a lighter note we have a 1982 Steiger Panther III with a 3406 cat engine. That beast will crank over for 2 or 3 seconds and fire right up after sitting all winter.
 
#19 ·
I would never use ether on any engine. Worst case what if does not start and that crap is in your cylinders. :eek:
Our 9300 has started every spring for 5 years no issues.:)
Agree always fill new fuel filters with diesel.
Yes the 9.0 and 13.5 L have a charge pump.
Deere should have an update kit.:confused: