I have an 03 IHI 30 NX that I have owned 4 years, it has 1820 hours on it. Never had any trouble out of it until this spring it has developed a nasty habit that it doesn't like to start. The engine (Isuzu 3LD1) turns over and you can hear each cylinder come up to compression and it will puff a wisp of white smoke from the exhaust. You can crank it forever and it won't start. Add the slightest bit of starting fluid through the air filter and it fires right up. Once it's running it will then start all day long with no issue or chemical assistance. Once the engine is cold again it's back to square one. This winter I tried starting it on a very cold morning and killed the battery so I figured maybe it was low voltage. Replaced the battery and both terminals. Air filter is clean, oil level is good and never been ran low, compression seems good, changed the fuel filter and found a small air leak on a fitting on the filter block. Replaced o-ring and solved that problem. Still no luck. Maybe I cooked the starter trying to start it cold. Pulled the starter and pulled it down. No burnt spots on the armature, brushes are good and intact, bearings are good, cleaned it up and put it back on, no change. My last thoughts are injector pattern, injector pressure....
I'm open to thoughts and opinions of where to go from here.
John
I'm open to thoughts and opinions of where to go from here.
John