Delica parts and willing mechanics in Calgary area

[byariver]

Hi folks,
First off, I've been lurking and researching for a few weeks whilst deciding on a Delica (vs. a subaru), the Delica has won hands down! Hopefully will find one soon. Anyhoo, a big thank you to everyone on this site for the information and effort, it is great to see such support for these unique and practical vehicles.
Now to the reason of the post, my wife and I spend our summers in and around Calgary (alot of time on the forestry trunk!) and this will be our first trip over with a Delica. Has anyone found any parts suppliers and mechanics willing to work on them (hopefully not needed) in the area? Just want to be ready, if things go south! Thanks again.

byariver (or in it)

[Jungle Jon]

Hi Byariver, and welcome to the site!

Wayne at Luxury Imports does some lighter work on Delicas, and has recommended Mike and Dean at Pro-Active automotive for any bigger stuff. 3501 29th St NE 403-291-2470

I havent used them myself yet, so can't really rate them, but Wayne's a good guy and I trust his judgement. I was going to get them to do the timing belt change on my new van sometime this spring.

As for parts, unless they are common stuff you'd find at Cambodian tire or Partsource, etc. you'd probably have to order something in. It sounds like there are more shops stocking parts on the west coast, (several are members on here) and there is a Mitsi dealer in town if you have a part number, (don't get them to look it up or tell them what it is for, I've heard that makes them cranky ).

Hope that helps, look me up next time you're in Calgary!

Jon

[byariver]

Thanks for your reply Jungle Jon,
Have written down the address for emergencys only (hopefully not required)! If you see a delica cruising around the NW (Bowness) with as many kayaks as can be humanly fitted on the roof and inside, it'll be us. Looking forward to a hot summer, and CKUA on the radio (after it's changed!). Thanks again.

Nick

[LeatherCat]

Hi Guys
I've gone to Pro Active for routine maintenence since I bought my Deli about 2 years ago. They do what you want and make suggestions for things to watch in the future but have never gone ahead with unneeded repairs or tried to tell me my "filbert flange won't mesh with my grapple gromet". Have to take the bus in for break-down now as it appears the starting solenoid is intermittent. :( I'm sure Mike will fix the beastie at a competitive price but I don't like being without if the parts have to be orderd.
gerry

[Green1]

hey, starting to see quite the Calgary crowd on here now... it's good to see... and LeatherCat... do you spend a lot of time up on 32nd ave NE? from your avatar I think you're the Delica that people keep thinking is me!

[LeatherCat]

Yup- thats me. Work at Active Tech Electronics at the corner of 32 Ave and 19 St. N.E.
Gerry

[Green1]

I thought you might, you've been "reported" at Active an awful lot (though I must admit, I have yet to actually see your vehicle myself, it's just all my friends who see you!)

[LeatherCat]

Did see yours drive by on 32nd once and I have a friend at the university who keeps "reporting" me up in that area. Maybe thats you - lol

[Green1]

well... could be me...
I have actually been up on 32nd ave every day this week, (and next week too) and I have finally SEEN your van parked at Active!

[MardyDelica]

HI, I know mechanic in edmonton who knows how to fix this delica, as they get parts from me. try to contact him he is diesel mechanic in that area & know how to fix this. ask for Len the owner.
Automotion Automotive Repairs @ 16715 - 111 Avenue, Edmonton Alberta, T5M 2S4. Our Phone # Is 780-484-9269, Fax 780-487-4132, E:mail Address autom@telus.net. Attn. Len.
if need help about the parts you need for your delica just give me a ring.
hope this help member who is in calgary or edmonton alberta.
hope this help.
Cheers: :)

[turf'd]

I'm in Calgary waiting for my Delica and as the cold weather is on its way was wondering if any of the Delica owners in the Calgary area have had troubles getting them started in the depths of winter? Should I get an inline coolant heater or some such device to keep it all from freezing solid (sadly I have no garage for the en-route Delica to hide from the weather)? And is there any other advice on getting these vans ready for winter? Thanks.

Cheers

[JMK]

Wayne has a modification to manually activate the glow plugs, cost is in the $100.00 range.

ALso some of the remote starter kits may also address this issue, so if you were thinking about installing a remote starter kit that may also cause the glow plugs to do what you want. It would be important to ensure the remote starter kit can deal with the glow plugs, the cheaper Bulldog remote kits don't. I noticed somewhere the Prestige kits have an extra module you have to buy if you have glow plugs, but even the cheaper ones such as the $100.00 Compustar 1WAM-S lists the following features:

Remote Start Diesel Engine Capable
Yes
x
Yes

Glow Plug Input (+ / -)
Yes
x
Yes

Diesel Delay Mode
Yes
x
Yes

Another one, the DirectStart CS124 lists the following features:
Diesel Engine Glow Plug Time-out: OPTION #1 involves no extra parts or installation and works for most Diesel engines. System can be programmed to Time Out and start engine 12 seconds after ignition has powered up.

Diesel Engine Glow Plug Monitor: OPTION #2 involves CONNECTING to and monitoring the glow plug. Once glow plug light goes out remote starter will crank starter. System will also ignore glow plug if it comes back on after engine has started. (GM).

[MardyDelica]

i dont know if you know how this glow plug works in delica, this glow plug dont go full 12 volts, it has a capacity of 6.2 volts as you can see in the glow plug, there is 2 types of glow plug. 11V & 6.2 volt, this glow plug uses both pajero & delica. if you dont use a step down volt on it, you will burn the glow plug easily, this board was design by mitsubishi with a step down volts on it. not full 12 volt. so you have to realized this that its not full 12 volt. its just the ages of the capasitor & board, not really a good quaity design by mitsubishi.
Hope this help,

[JMK]

Thanks for that. So, if the glow plugs are activated for say, a couple of seconds when you turn the key on, and you wanted to say have them on for 20 seconds, would turning the key on and off 10 times be a workaround to having a manual switch?

One of my concerns is in winter we often go the Bow Summit and make turns for the day when it is -20, or go out overnight. As you cannot plug in, I'm worried about getting started again. SOme of the remote start systems have a an option to start the vehicle every couple of hours, my Bulldog Deluxe 500 system on my car will start at a certain temperature. I'll probably also carry my Honda generator and a heater with me, not a great solution if you have to sit around the parking lot for an hour or more waiting to leave in the dark at -20.

[Schwa]

That might work, but it might also destroy the glow plugs... When they first click on they're fed 12v, even though they're only 6v plugs so that they heat up rapidly, and then the voltage is dropped, so repeated use of the 12v 'initial glow' could cause some problems.

The ultimate solution is that webasto heater that uses diesel to pre-heat the engine, but way more money than a remote starter kit.