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Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 3:47 pm
by pj_jazzy_janz
So I went out the other day to let the van warm up a bit while I got my jacket and shoes on, and it didn't start. Not the end of the world, I took the car.
Later, I was troubleshooting with my wife and discovered that she had filled the van and not put in any fuel conditioner. I figured the diesel might be gelling, so I added some conditioner, let it sit for a few hours and it started up like a dream that evening!! Problem solved, and I'm a genius!!!
That was two days ago and it hasn't started since. And it hasn't been that cold. It's around 0 today. So methinks it's not the fuel conditioner...
When I turn the key, it cranks, but it never catches. I thought the batteries might be dying/dead, but I checked those and they both measure 12.53v, which is a little low, but is that enough to keep it from starting? Any idea what to test next/how to do it?
Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 7:13 pm
by 204explorer
Are your glow plugs working? Any smoke? Maybe pump the primer until it builds pressure.
Unless there is something really wrong with the fuel it won't gel. No additive needed.
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Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:19 pm
by pj_jazzy_janz
Sent it to a shop. Just don't have the time to putter around these days (and no garage means it's chilly work!!).
Thanks for the help! I can't stress enough what a fantastic resource this site is!!
Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:24 am
by pj_jazzy_janz
Turns out it's having its fuel pump rebuilt. So, I'm rather glad I didn't spend too much time fiddling around, as I'd not have been able to tackle that!!
Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 2:02 pm
by Ralph in Winnipeg
Not great news but at least you know what's wrong. Who is doing the rebuild for you?
Ralph in Winnipeg
Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 10:30 am
by pj_jazzy_janz
Well, after 8 weeks (no fun with 4 kids and a Corolla) at a diesel shop that ended up not fixing the problem (but did still manage to cost us an insane amount of money) I took it to Peg City Auto. He tinkered with the fuel pump as well, and had it running, but he still wasn't satisfied with it, so he dug a little deeper. Turns out it was the harmonic balancer - it was off by about 90 degrees. He replaced it, and it's been running like new ever since!!
Starting Issue (not due to the cold?!?!)
Posted: Thu May 17, 2018 5:52 pm
by poochike
pj_jazzy_janz wrote:Well, after 8 weeks (no fun with 4 kids and a Corolla) at a diesel shop that ended up not fixing the problem (but did still manage to cost us an insane amount of money) I took it to Peg City Auto. He tinkered with the fuel pump as well, and had it running, but he still wasn't satisfied with it, so he dug a little deeper. Turns out it was the harmonic balancer - it was off by about 90 degrees. He replaced it, and it's been running like new ever since!!
That's great news it's fixed, but keep an eye/ear on that harmonic balancer. If you hear a squeal that sounds like a belt when you start it up cold, but belts are tight your balancer could be slipping. A failed balancer can cause some pretty major damage. If it was running great and then all of a sudden not starting and it was because of the HB, I would probably change it out. Good luck
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