Starting techniques for L300 with ECU bypassed?

[AKcub]

I just purchased a '92 L300 Starwagon. The ECU has been bypassed on it so there is a button for glow plug operation.

What is the "proper" use of the glow plugs when starting? The temps are running 2-10 degrees right now. I have been experimenting with different times on cold starts at these temps. 5 seconds doesn't seem like enough based on how the other diesels in my life start. Not sure if I can damage anything by using them too much.

From a cold start at 4 degrees I get about 30 seconds of a light gray/white diesel smoke before the exhaust cleans up. On warm starts there is no visible exhaust smoke.

Thanks for any info!

Scott
1992 Delica Star Wagon

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Scott, welcome to Delica Canada

I recently blew a few caps in my ECU and went for a period without one. After a week of hot wiring my plugs (which is a pain) I wired in a momentary switch. Now it depends on your system ~ I have the Winter package on my wagon, which includes two batteries in parallel. These two batteries delivery 1500 CCA to my glow plugs so my second click (the one that signifies when to turn the engine over) is typically three seconds after the first. When I was depending on the manual override I would push the button and count three steamboats, let go the button and turn the key. The thing about the ECU is it's not just a one off event. When you start a Starwagon with a working ECU you'll note that there are often clicks that follow the first two, after the motor has started. It works on reading resistance from the glow plugs, the sooner the plugs get to heat the sooner the ECU shuts them off. The glow plugs are designed to burn hot for short periods of time, if you run your plugs for an extended period of time your will burn them out. Perhaps after the motor has started, if she's still sputtering turn the glows on for another three seconds, then off, then on again for three steamboats, then off, &c., as required.

I've noticed that you're up in Alaska. When you say you're starting your wagon at 4° do you mean Fahrenheit or Centigrade? Most of the members in this club will be thinking in terms of Centigrade (AKA Celsius). How many batteries are you running? Do you have some kind of block warmer in your wagon? What condition is your battery(ies) in? How many amperes is your battery delivering? These are questions you might consider. Hope this helps.

Falco.

[AKcub]

Thanks for the reply,

The van is in the Seattle area. Those temps were in C. I only have one battery, so i guess I don't have the winter package. I have a pan heater installed but where the van is parked there is no way to get power to it.

I will give the glow plugs another shot of heat after the engine fires off and see how she does with that.

Scott