Glow plug troubles in Canmore

[flyaway]

Hey Albertans!

I just moved to Canmore from Vancouver, and thus know nobody here with delica knowledge. The problem is that I've had starting problems for a while. I think the glow plugs aren't doing much anymore (got a manual glowplug switch). I tested the plugs with CVI's over-the-phone assistance (they're always SO friendly!) and apparently they should still be working, but I have my doubts. Since I have not much idea of circuits, and not really any tools at hand to test the plugs or figure out if it's just a broken wire, is there anybody in the area that could give me a quick hand? I'd also come to Calgary. It's just that new plugs are so pricey, so I only want to buy them if they are needed. I've tried checking all the wiring, but as said I don't know all that much about circuits (yes, I'm a woman ).

The car does start, but with a LOT of cranking (I suspect it's the two batteries by themselves). And it's not that cold yet. Last winter we got the van to start at -20 without plugging in overnight, so my current starting problems aren't normal.

I will also have to do an oil change, and got all the appropriate buckets to do so without spilling, so if somebody wants to help me with the glow plugs, I can help with the oil...

PS I'm not working yet, so am free anytime this week except Wednesday.
Pps it's an L300, '91 Exceed.

[flyaway]

Hmm... I guess this is not really an event... but could become one!!

[flyaway]

Hey Albertans!

I just moved to Canmore from Vancouver, and thus know nobody here with delica knowledge. The problem is that I've had starting problems for a while. I think the glow plugs aren't doing much anymore (got a manual glowplug switch). I tested the plugs with CVI's over-the-phone assistance (they're always SO friendly!) and apparently they should still be working, but I have my doubts. Since I have not much idea of circuits, and not really any tools at hand to test the plugs or figure out if it's just a broken wire, is there anybody in the area that could give me a quick hand? I'd also come to Calgary. It's just that new plugs are so pricey, so I only want to buy them if they are needed. I've tried checking all the wiring, but as said I don't know all that much about circuits (yes, I'm a woman ).

The car does start, but with a LOT of cranking (I suspect it's the two batteries by themselves). And it's not that cold yet. Last winter we got the van to start at -20 without plugging in overnight, so my current starting problems aren't normal.

I will also have to do an oil change, and got all the appropriate buckets to do so without spilling, so if somebody wants to help me with the glow plugs, I can help with the oil...

PS I'm not working yet, so am free anytime this week except Wednesday.
Pps it's an L300, '91 Exceed.

[jaggedfish]

Hey Flyaway!
Just like 'bad apples', it only takes one bad plug to cause all sorts of grief. I had the same problem a while back and the most significant indicator was the glow plug circuit - the heating cycle (the 2 clicks) was drastically shortened which resulted in the plugs not getting hot enough to fire the motor right away and thus extended cranking, spluttering and black smoke.

Now, because you have a manual glow plug circuit, is it safe to assume it has been installed because of the continued starting problems? Sounds highly likely you could have a bad plug or two.

A number of us take our vans to Kirkham Automotive in Calgary. They are in the south near McLeod Trail and Southland. I believe the number is 403-253-2033. Good guys!

Oh, and... being a woman doesn't prevent you from understanding circuits... lack of understanding of circuits stems from lack of understanding circuits... I'd say the majority of us don't understand circuits... we only know what they are supposed to do and when, not necessarily how.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Right. There are a couple, few Delicas in Canmore, in particular Caroline and her Exceed (New Member in Canmore,AB). Heck, you guys ought to start holding mini-meets, maybe put those Calgarians to shame .

I entered "Canmore" in the search engine and came up with these eleven pages. Hopefully this will help you... smiles.

Falco.

[snelson]

Hey flyaway,
I don't have much experience - scratch that, I have zero experience with circuits...but...I do have a manual glow plug system, live in Canmore, and have changed out my old glow plugs a while back and the difference in starting was night/day.

I have the proper tools and would be happy to change the plugs for you, if you want to go that route.

I'm up in Peaks of Grassi area in Canmore, I could stop by sometime this week after work and change them. Only takes about 20 mins. It's best to change them out with the engine cold (easier to remove) so let me know what evening might work for you.

Let me know if you're interested - the part numbers for the plugs are on this site, and you could order them in at the Canmore Napa, or order them from Mardy on this site - Amazing Auto Imports.

Steve

[dennis_lambert]

I have some glow plugs for you if your interested.
There are some cheap ones under clearence items on my new web site!!
And some Great glow plugs Kits.
Cheers!

http://nomadjdmautopartsca.ipage.com/index.html

[TardisDeli]

HI Flyaway, are you sure its glowplugs?

Once you get it started, does the black smoke and coughing continue for about 5 or 10 seconds, or more like 30 to 60 seconds. Is it easier to start if its only been a few hours since u last started vs 12 hours (ie does your fuel system lose its pressure with time, thus the fuel is back in the fuel tamk, is so maybe fuel pump or IP has a bad o ring so isnt holding pressure).

Do you get the glow plug morse code click clicking quickly until the temperature guage on the dashboard starts to move up? If so could be the double pin temp sensor on the forward left side of engine top.

Remove your air filter, can you see through the folds? Try starting without it, see if maybe its lack of air.

Load test your battery (simple, just find a mechanic with a battery load test device). If not getting good, really GOOD CCA Cold cranking amps, then won't get enuf energy to power the glow plugs properly.

HOws yr alternator, do your headlights shine brightly, even when engine not running? Any wierd dash board lights showing?

Maybe you have some crud in yr fuel (I had it, could barely get engine to start), remove the 2 fuel lines, in and out, from either side of the fuel pump, put into a plastic container. Turn the key and try starting the engine a few times, to let some deisel flow out. Put back togethr.

These all do cause problems starting. Feel free to phone CVI again (I'll be hanging out there tomorrow Tuesday 10 am til 6pm if you need to talk). Cheers, Christine (happy female owner of L300).

[madmazda]

make sure you take out the glow plugs and do a test with some jumper leads..... be careful of the bit that goes in the eingne as it gets REALLY hot... thats a great way to see if your glow plugs have taken a holiday.....

[flyaway]

You are all awesome! I have a few days to trouble shoot starting tomorrow, and will make a master plan to check all the things that might be wrong. Will keep you posted on my progress...

[flyaway]

Update: after a lot of tinkering (the glowplugs all actually work!!) i found, surprise surprise, that when i use a jumper cable to connect the battery to the glowplugs the van starts as if nothing ever happened. i should have tried that first. but i guess i only now understand the circuits a bit better...
since we have the manual glow plug switch, i had previously tried to check all the wiring and did not find anything. might be the switch that's broken, or i missed a defective wiring part.
Anyway, i will start the search for a switch tomorrow that's strong enough to handle the current and probably also replace the wires from battery to switch, just in case.

...Since the world is not perfect, i also discovered that the oil pan is leaking... from the drain. i hope it's just some dirt or something at the screw thing that closes the drain, and no bigger deformity. glad i have to do an oil change anyway, so i can check without much extra effort.