Welcome to the "Last Word Café".

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Reminder from my early post.
You guys made us confused.

Some thread necromancy but this does seem like the best spot rather than start a new thread.

So my L400 seems to have a hard time starting when temps are below 5oC. It belches out a nice cloud of white and black smoke for a few seconds and can leave a black sooty spray pattern on the ground. However when temps get below 0oC it takes upwards of 30 seconds of cranking, multiple glow cyclings and more cranking to get started. All the while Huge amounts of white smoke are pouring out while cranking like i am doing 5 seafoam sessions at once.

- I just replaced the glow plugs with a brand new set. No change.
- The glow wiring and bus bar was replaced at Amazing Auto. Wire looks beefy and the bus bar is solid copper so I wouldn't think these are an issue.
- Once started it runs fine, no hesitation so dought the ip seal would be the issue. What is next to check?

I would say to check glow plug relay and then go to IP main seal.
Start your delica with direct jump from battery to the glow plugs.
If starting at once without hesitating, you have a faulty ECU or glow plug relay ( IP main seal is okay ).
If starting with lots of hesitating after cranking , you may have a IP main seal issue/relay problem.

Recently we have had faulty glow plug replays that result in hard starting in the morning.

Steven

Are you always working for this dealer as a full time?

I watched your ip seal get replaced so that's out of the equation.

Steven

[jessef]

Are you always working for this dealer as a full time?

I work at St. Paul's Hospital full time helping people. You must have me confused with one of your smiley faces.

[MardyDelica]

We've picked up the conversation from "L400 glow plug relay".

i rudy,
i do have used one if you need one,
usually its not the relay problem.
i notice its a computer glow plug module they set up in japan
you cannot do anything for this unless you re program it.
when they make this delica L400 as its for there japan spec they made.
reason is the weather in japan is diff than canada.
japan is warmer than canada. canada is much colder than japan.
no matter what u change in relay for glow plug it wont change the setting.
this is my understanding.
cheers;
Mardy

[psilosin]

We should assume that when he says his relay is dead that this is the case. If his relay is dead then how the relay trigger operates is irrelevant and just adds un-needed complication in this case. How the coolant sensor/ecu trigger operates is a good discussion topic for sure but would be better in a different thread.

If testing the relay it seems easy to test if the ECU/Coolant Sensor trigger is working properly. If your vehicle is cold the relay will be activated for ~6 seconds (click on 1 2 3 4 5 6 click off). When your vehicle is already warmed up the relay is only activated for an instant if at all (click on click off). If its -10 out and this is your first start of the day and the relay goes click on click off instantly then something is likely wrong with the trigger. This is when we need to talk more about how the coolant sensor data is used and the computer functions...is it a sensor problem or something in the ecu gone awry or a bit of both...good topic that hasn't been covered much if at all.

If you are trying to test your relay in situ with a warmed up vehicle you will not have much luck and may think your relay is dead when in fact the system is doing its job by not activating it. When Fishtank and I were testing ours it took about 30-40 minutes at ~0oC for our vehicles to cool down enough that the relays would activate long enough to get a reading from. To test the relay in the vehicle you should either test it when the vehicle is cold so you have ~6 seconds of working time or use a seperate user controlled trigger (ie a 12v wire you can switch on/off). If using your own trigger you should disconnect the wire from the relay to the busbar so you do not cook the plugs if you leave it activated for too long. You can also remove the relay and bench test it. [Again for safety be careful messing around the relay...that relay is fed by a big wire with a big fuse and both + posts are very close to the chassis so you and/or the vehicle have a chance of getting nicely effd up by a mishandled wrench. If removing the relay disconenct battery first.]

[Golf Cart]

Mmmm, kind of reminds me of..... The Last Word Cafe.

Kinda reminds me of a Yahoo chat room without the swearing

[MardyDelica]

there is too many thing to check on this.
sometime like you say relay or ecu module.
i guess it only happen when its cold.
cheers;

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

usually its not the relay problem.
i notice its a computer glow plug module they set up in japan
you cannot do anything for this unless you re program it.
when they make this delica L400 as its for there japan spec they made.
reason is the weather in japan is diff than canada.
japan is warmer than canada. canada is much colder than japan.
no matter what u change in relay for glow plug it wont change the setting.
this is my understanding.
cheers;
Mardy

As far as I know, L400 ECU hardly fail in any kind of weather condition and no need to re-program ECU when you replace glow plug relay.( even aftermarket glow plug < starter >relay here in Canada )
No matter what kind of outside temperature we have here, we can start delica L400 easily if you have a good system ( ECU, glow plug, 2 pin sensor, good battery, block heater, 0w-30 engine oil ).
Japan has severe cold area, like Hokaido and Northern side of Tokyo is relatively cold in winter as well.
http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/tra ... limate.htm

If you have a faulty glow plug relay, we strongly recommend to simply switch it with new/used one.
We have substitute parts in local part store,but you have to cut off original wires to modify as it is another hassle and not cost effective in the long run.
Bad fuel delivery cause another hard starting especially in cold weather.

Steven

[MardyDelica]

hi, steven,
japan is nothing compare to canada weather.
my i ask you if you dont mind, i guess your not been in canada for long time.
the diff weather between japan and canada is that we in canada is on higher elevation.
while japan is in lower elevation. how can you say its almsot the same.
simple logic right. japan dont have wind chill cold factor when it comes to temperature:
how can you say the setting is ok for this delica L400 while this L400 was design in japanese spec
not north american spec.japanese spec and north american spec are different for your info:
dont mis judge this. remember your not the one who design and do engineer for the ecu module on this L400.
were here to analized and see the diff. even me, i try and work hard to see the setting if ok or not for this cold weather country
like canada.
i guess the way you want to say is just replace anything without analizing the problem.
well just you i guess. you need to be mechanical wise on this.
its hard to analized and diagnose on it. but some time the relay is gone who know its a used car which run on electrical component.
you need to learn more mechanical wise to do diagnose on each car. too many thing to go wrong.
not easy.
cheers;
Mardy

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

hi, steven,
japan is nothing compare to canada weather.
my i ask you if you dont mind, i guess your not been in canada for long time.
the diff weather between japan and canada is that we in canada is on higher elevation.
while japan is in lower elevation. how can you say its almsot the same.
simple logic right. japan dont have wind chill cold factor when it comes to temperature:
how can you say the setting is ok for this delica L400 while this L400 was design in japanese spec
not north american spec.japanese spec and north american spec are different for your info:
dont mis judge this. remember your not the one who design and do engineer for the ecu module on this L400.
were here to analized and see the diff. even me, i try and work hard to see the setting if ok or not for this cold weather country
like canada.
i guess the way you want to say is just replace anything without analizing the problem.
well just you i guess. you need to be mechanical wise on this.
its hard to analized and diagnose on it. but some time the relay is gone who know its a used car which run on electrical component.
you need to learn more mechanical wise to do diagnose on each car. too many thing to go wrong.
not easy.
cheers;
Mardy

I think your assertion for elevation and re-programming ECU is totally unacceptable and unlogical.
We have a similar topic a while back.
Still waiting for your clear answer.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/glow-plugs-a ... =elevation

FYI, I have been here since 1998 ( used to live in Regina, Victoria and Vancouver . I had been in Japan for 3 years in 1980’s as well).

Steven

Mardy
I still do not understand your thinking behind adjusting the boost pressure for a cold start issue?
The turbo boost pressure has no effect on the cold starting of a diesel engine what ever its location in the world.
Having worked on diesels vehicles in the U.K for 10 years and in Canada for 7 years and never had to adjust boost pressure to cure a cold start issue i can not understand why you would suggest this as a cure.
As the O.P lives in Victoria i can not see elevation being his problem as Victoria must be around the same elevation as Vancouver give or take a few feet.
Good luck in finding a cure for this problem and i hope you post up your findings as i am sure the are many people who will be very interested in the results.

Tony
Good to know about the difference in the Hyundai glow plugs from someone who has first hand experience with them.
1mm difference in tip length is not that critical.

hi, tony,
hyundai dont produce 4m40 only mitsubishi.
i went to korea & they dont have 4m40 engine. just to clarrify this to you.
they only have 2.5 liter same as the 4d56.
what butch give to you & other people buying this hyundai glow plug that will fit 4m40 as you & other think its o.k.
this is just temporary solution: as you see the hyundai glow plug is longer than the original mitsubishi glow plug.
actually the hyundai glow plug is longer than original one, one mistake when this glow plug tip goes then it hit the piston then you will have big problem towards your engine.
people ask me about this but for me to used it i wont used it as its way too long & not the right fit for this engine. othe people think its o.k. but for me its not as the engine is more expensive than glow plug.
there much be some reason why the glow plug wont last long. maybe the relay wont shot off rightaway.
that why its always stay on longer all the time. so relay & ecu might be major contribution to this problem.
i think most of the problem goes to relay, glow plug lead post & ecu.
as the way engine is set up in the winter including the timing & turbo as we are on higher elevation than japan.
i think the best way to do is that when it reach 10 or 5 degree use a little bit heat from block heater.
i know its a little bit pain but it think this will help reduce the problem.
white smoke is normal to this as even me still trying maybe what will be the best turbo boost setting to compensate the high level elevation here in canada.
in asia no problem. but here little bit complicated. but not all spacegear have this problem.
this is just my opinion still trying to figure it out this problem not easy
cheers;

[nxski]

Just to clarify when it comes to weather and elevation. "sea level" is the same elevation whether you're in Japan or Canada therefore one country is no higher than another (there may be higher points in one country though). Also, these vans get used for ski tourism in Japan so we must also clarify that elevation is not the only factor, we must also clarify that both of you operate out of the lower mainland where temperatures are not much different from Japan. Where this may become an issue is up north.

Let's try to come to a peaceful compromise shall we!?

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

. "sea level" is the same elevation whether you're in Japan or Canada therefore one country is no higher than another (there may be higher points in one country though).

Smiles.

Where this may become an issue is up north.

I slightly admit cold weather affects starting in the morning, especially up north.
But read this.
http://www.delica.ca/forum/cold-starts- ... 12122.html
As long as you have a healthy glow plug control system along with winterization, there’s no issue.

Steven

[mrdueck]

Settle down everyone. This is one of my biggest annoyances with this forum. People get diffencive FARRRRR to quickly.
"Turn your judgement into curiousity"
I'm a mediator by profession and this is one of the best tools that I use and pass onto everyone of my clients.

Back to the problem. My relay does not always work. I put a manual switch inbetween the plugs and the relay to save my glow plug life. If I loan the van out I can just leave it on and it will work like stock. I did this already, but the relay went.

Rudy

[MardyDelica]

Hi, thanks, rudy for this output:
i dont know it seems that rising sun, steven want to debate all the time.
he dont want to listen and admit to himself that this forum is for educational purposes and to exhange other people idea.
we all do have diff idea and i do respect it. but for steven i dont know what to say.
always have some harsh comment towards the topic instead of analizing the problem.
he dont even work on any delica just his mechanic.
with this Delica that is not produce here in north america we are talking we all learning as days and year pass by.
whatever any new way of making your delica work then we used that way.
no bragging who is the best or more experience on this need your logic and understanding how this work.
its so frustrating since hes been a member for 2 years now.
steven stop doing this non sense ok.
this is not your web site. listen sometime to other people in this forum.
hope this help
cheer;s
Mardy

[lopar]

hope this help

helped to continue stirring the pot anyways..........

what was the topic again?

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Hi, thanks, rudy for this output:
i dont know it seems that rising sun, steven want to debate all the time.
he dont want to listen and admit to himself that this forum is for educational purposes and to exhange other people idea.
we all do have diff idea and i do respect it. but for steven i dont know what to say.
always have some harsh comment towards the topic instead of analizing the problem.
he dont even work on any delica just his mechanic.
with this Delica that is not produce here in north america we are talking we all learning as days and year pass by.
whatever any new way of making your delica work then we used that way.
no bragging who is the best or more experience on this need your logic and understanding how this work.
its so frustrating since hes been a member for 2 years now.
steven stop doing this non sense ok.
this is not your web site. listen sometime to other people in this forum.
hope this help
cheer;s
Mardy

Debate is good, but false incrimination is really bad.

Let us go back to the original topic.
I thought the water level in one swimming pool is different from every corner/spot when I saw your earlier post.
We still need some teaching from you.


Steven