Starting a diesel compressor?

[Ian H]

Is there a knack to starting these? We had trouble staring one today first when it was cold, then again later when it was warmed up

I can't see anything if a choke on it. I turn the key to the first position and wait for the battery and thermometer lights to go out then crank it, it runs for a second then dies.

Same happens if I leave the key in the second position for 15 seconds (it says 15secs at the side of it)

Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks.

 

[Roger928]

There is a knack. Though I don't remember it.
I usually turn on the air valve to release the pressure.

 

[Burnerman]

15 seconds is the pre - heat timer setting for any cold start heaters that may be there.....feel free to double that time!
There's no guarantee that the pre heater is actually working, of course! If its still grump the fuel system may have some air in it (due to running out of fuel recently,) but as it looks like a hired machine I wouldn't fiddle.
John

 

[Ian H]

I've got the job done, it was just 2 sections of moling but I thought I must have been doing something wrong.

Let's hope I have more luck with the next one.