Cold Weather Starts on a 93 or later L300

[VirtualJJ]

A recent thread has got me thinking how the cold weather starting techniques might be different on a 93-or-newer L300, and I haven't been able to find a lot of info.

There is no hand throttle.. Is there some sort of automatic choke, or do I need to manually engage it somehow?

My latest attempts to start it at -12 (without block heater) resulted in the engine turning over and catching quite nicely, but then abruptly stalling after about 3 seconds. I tried it 3 times with the same result.

Should I give it a bit of pedal throttle to try and keep it going? Or is there some sort of choke-setting action that I could do?

This is my first diesel and I'm still a bit fuzzy on what the healthy and unhealthy things are that you can do to get things running.

-JJ

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Late model L300 has more advanced IP ( no need hand throttle ), different bus bar and 11V more efficient glow plug control system ( Self Regulating Glow Plug System ).

My latest attempts to start it at -12 (without block heater) resulted in the engine turning over and catching quite nicely, but then abruptly stalling after about 3 seconds. I tried it 3 times with the same result.

Your delica seems to be perfect, but I would suspect worn glow plugs for the cause.
Simple is that.

Steven

[after oil]

yes, push down the pedal for a few seconds until it goes by itself

[Blueberry]

My New Deli which is a late '93 starts easily in similar cold temps - just have to be patient and wait for the second click if it's really cold (takes ~7 seconds). My early '93 was hard to start and rough and smokey when cold. Much better with the new glow system and IP.


Cheers,
Graeme

[Manitoba deli]

Try this

A

In response to djelica's question for starting in the cold without the benifit of a block heater, and how many times the glow plugs can be cycled, I will offer my opinion as a mechanic, and the instructions printed on the visor of my 1987 Ford ranger 4x4 with 2.3l mitsubishi turbo diesel. If this information contradicts what someone may have read somewhere about something at sometime, I'm so sorry, but this is what is recomended by most manufactures, and is taught in Diesel mechanics. The factory Ford sticker for the Mitsubishi engine reads as follows:
Diesel starting instructions
ALWAYS APPLY PARKING BRAKE BEFORE STARTING
1. For manual transmission shift into neutral and hold clutch depressed. For automatic transmission shift into P or N
2. Turn key to "ON" when "glow plug" light goes off turn key to "START" and depress accelerator pedal as follows
A. HALFWAY for temperatures above 32F (0C)
B. FULLY for temperatures below 32F (0C)
When engine starts release key and allow accelerator to return to Idle

The instructions should go on to say to ease up on the accelerator as the engine catches, and the idle stabalizes (trying to keep rpms around 1000) if you let off the accelerator too quickly the engine will stall.
s for glow plugs, if everything is working properly cycling the glow plugs twice should be sufficent to start the engine at -30C. I started my l400 monday morning after being unpluged most of the night with 2 cycles of the glowplugs. Temp was -32C windchill was -47C oil was 0W-40 full synthetic. Batteries are original Japaneese equipment. The glow plugs can be cycled 4 or 5 times, but this does greatly decrease thier lifespan as they get too hot, but sometimes it is a sacrifice you have to make. Other than that, make sure nothing has been left on drawing power, and use a fuel conditioner.

Jason

[VirtualJJ]

Thanks Manitoba - I'll use that as my guide! but any other tips are more than welcome!

One of the reasons I was looking for info on late 93 and newer models is that for me, there is no second click. There is that initial click when I turn the key; then after 4-7 seconds, the light goes off and there is no further click. Even after about 20 seconds. . This is a different result from almost all the posts I have read on cold weather starts.

Does anyone else have this type of glowplug/controller behavior? Is it typical on the newer L300s?

[fexlboi]

Is it typical on the newer L300s?

Yes. It's rare that I hear any clicks.

[jessef]

When you're starting in cold weather with the throttle pressed down, don't let it up until you have a smooth running engine otherwise it may stall and you'll have to start the process over again ... Glow plug cycle, etc

Sometimes in brutally cold weather -30 + windchill, it took me a good 20-30 seconds before it caught and reved normally.

[fostlongstrider]

You should get a second click after a varying amount of seconds depending on the temperature outside, and then if you listen there will be more clicks as the relay cycles on/off till the sensor on the water stat tells it the engine has reached reasonable running temperature.

Always have the dual battery winter pack fitted and make sure batteries are in good condition and fully charged.