glow plugs or battery or both

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storm99

storm99

Spreading Joy & Harmony
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Brexited. Living on an island.
My Diesel 90 from 1987 is not starting, the engine is cranking over and its throwing out smoke (unburnt diesel i presume), if i charge the battery overnight it will start 1st time but only with a 30 second pre-warm. Then without driving it wont start again next day...again its cranking but after 5 to 6 attempts the battery gives up.
Now does this sound like a battery issue or glow plugs or both?
I live in denmark and theyre not hot on spares to landys, if i want to buy plugs are they the same as for a 2.5 turbo diesel and if so up to approx what date?

Thanks. Mark
 
How long have you had the motor, and do you know it's history?

I'd just change the plugs first (cheaper of the 2) and give it a go. For peace of mind though you'll be better off changing both & giving her a good old service.

If it chucking out smoke you may need to check the injectors &/or the head gasket, you've got water getting in somewhere.

Ade

Someone'll put me right! lol
 
It's unlikely to be water it is as you 1st stated unburnt fuel. 2.5na and TD engines use the same glowplugs. when starting do not touch the accelerator pedal if you do it knocks out the cold start on the fuel pump and the engine thinks it trying to start a warm engine and is a pig to start. Most N/A engines need about 20 secs on the glowplug before they'll start when cold.

In summary keep feet off pedals
Hold key in glowplug heater position for 20 secs
Crank engine but don't touch pedal till engine catches.
 
ive had it 3 months and its been looked after well, i dont know when the plugs were last changed however. I feel that 30 secs is too long pre-warm really but others say its not. i think i will change the plugs in the morning. The pre-warm light on the dash never goes out no matter how long i hold the key in the pre-warming position, never has done in my 3 months, thats a pain in the ass.
 
redhand said:
It's unlikely to be water it is as you 1st stated unburnt fuel. 2.5na and TD engines use the same glowplugs. when starting do not touch the accelerator pedal if you do it knocks out the cold start on the fuel pump and the engine thinks it trying to start a warm engine and is a pig to start. Most N/A engines need about 20 secs on the glowplug before they'll start when cold.
Click to expand...


That sounds spot on advice...i do give it a little bip on the diesel before i turn the key...used to driving a bit more sportier 2l celica..maybe thats where im going wrong...i will try without touching the accelerator
 
The warming light never goes out on the na or td model, it's a manual "judge for yourself" thing! Try (thanks to CharlesY the other day) about 20 seconds warming, 10 seconds off then another 20 seconds warming then start. And remember (as P says) not to touch the accelerator till it's going!!!
 
take your glow plugs out wrap some electrical wire round the end of the plug touch it to the battery terminal and the other end of the piece of wire to the other terminal then the glow plug end should glow orange /red (very hot) if it dont glow the glow plug is dead, do this with all your plugs as i had same problem when i had a 90 found one had the end broke off but new plugs cured it
 
wow this forums the dogs tackle..really quick advice..and on a friday night!! Cheers guys, i tend to post on another forum 1st but i think i will change the order of the 'pleading for help' to using this 1st...
 
If you take the front plug out clamp the body to the fuel pipe going to the front injector with some mole grips (an before everyone sez you'll blow the whole universe up, make sure the positive bit is well clear of anything negative) reattach the leccy lead an then turn the ingnition switch to the preheat position for ten or so seconds you'll be able to tell if the wirings OK by whether the plugs getting red hot or not.
 
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