Bling Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Current daily is a diesel pathfinder. What are some super obvious reasons why it would be hard to start? I know nothing about diesels, but am curious about the possibly old / warn heatplugs and whether they would cause it. I let them warm up before starting, but sometimes it will just crank over for a while without starting. Has been a pig to start for a long time. I'm just borrowing it so thought i'd try suss it out while I have it. Battery? Fuel? Heatplugs? What else might it be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaver Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 glowplugs. change them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Fuel draining back to the tank Ineffective glowplugs Slow cranking speed Shitty injectors giving a rough spray pattern I double glow my BX and it starts rough cos I think it gets a bit of air in the fuel overnight. My fuel return line popped off my number 1 injector after I did my clutch and it was getting a tonne of air in it and I had to crank for 20-25 seconds before it would fire and then it ran rough for another 10-20 seconds. Once I fixed that it was heaps better - unsurprisingly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandangles Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 glow plugs would be my first bet, prob the cheapest and easiest fix too, possibly glow plug relay also. glow plugs will sting you like $25 ish from BNT or repco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuel Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 does it smoke (like more than usual) when cold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Any way to tell visually that a glow plug is past its best? Smokes on start up after failing to start. Just assuming it's fuel building up while trying to start. Will take notice for smoke next time I take it out and report back. Will check the above things over the weekend. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranter Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Does it struggle hot as well? Could have low compression. Remove glow plugs and test with jumper cables. They should get red hot in about the same amount of time the glow light stays on. Be careful though and face them away from you when testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Just started it up and it doesn't struggle. It's supposed to have been rebuilt in the last few years due to overheating at some stage. Just the first start of the day it struggles and sometimes it just doesn't want to fire up. Seems to crank over fast enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaver Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 glowplugs. just do it. now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKtrips Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 GLowplugs and tighten all your fuel line fittings.. You could also try pumping the hand primer until it goes hard before starting and see if it makes it start any easier.. It may help eliminate some variables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuel Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 what colour is the smoke when it smokes on startup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 check that the glow timer is actually working before you change the glow plugs... also change the diesel filter if it hasnt been done for awhile,also check air filter.. if the glow timer is sweet then glow plugs are cheap enough.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I double glow my BX and it starts rough cos I think it gets a bit of air in the fuel overnight. I'm sorry to hear this. I single glow my Corolla on cold mornings and casually forget to in summer and it starts about 3rd compression because Toyota. The answer to OP's problem though is obviously more fuel. And if that doesn't work, up the compression / buy a new motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_si Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 White smoke while cranking and briefly when it starts? Chuck a multimeter or test light on glow wire/link and make sure there is power there while the glow light is illuminated, that will rule out glow relay, timer etc. Pull the glow plugs out id ( they just unscrew ) no sealant needed when refitting them, Can easily power them up, the tip should glow red hot within 2 seconds If they take longer or dont glow red replace them, best to replace all of them at same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 not a good idea to double glow the plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 Will try pull them out this week and test them. First start for the day is usually in the dark, so hard to spot smoke at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderwebfx Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 not a good idea to double glow the plugs Why is this? I've heard of it before, but my work truck has just been to the mechanic and we have been told that it has trouble starting because it's lost most of it's compression. (current 240psi, should be 400psi) but they did still recommend doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 run the tank low? might pay to chuck half a cup of meths in it next fill to soak up any residual water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 ive seen glow plugs weld themselves into the head cos they keep double glowing them,they get up to some serious temps. we have a soldering iron at work made out a glow plug,run off a relay and switch,best soldering iron ever,instant heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmmmnz Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 undo the bar that links the glow plugs together and test the resistance with your multi meter, it should only be 3-5 ohms between terminal and earth, if its infinity then your glow plug is buggered, it only takes 1 dodgy plug to make em hard to start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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