Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Well, the engine oil was low, but not very low.

I realized that all of the problems started just after I filled up at a truck stop in Strathmore because I was almost out of fuel.
I wonder if it is possible that the problem is in the last fillup. It was a Husky station, but not a particularly busy one.

I have half a tank of fuel left from there. I wonder if I should top it up and see if the problems diminish somewhat.

I will call around tomorrow and see if I can find somewhere I can get a new fuel filter.

On my last ride around the neighbourhood I noticed that when I tried to accelerate, there was a hesitation,then knocking in the front end followed by a big cloud of white smoke, then the knocking diminished and power returned. It seems to run pretty well at higher speeds, but when I stop or slow down the whole pattern just repeated.

The van starts fine. No problem there.

I can fix just about any problem on a bicycle, but really feel like a tool around this engine.

Many thanks for the replies.

sounds like changing the fuel filter is the best place to start, you should go to the nearest heavy duty parts store(big rig and bus stuff) and get some "howes" fuel stabilizer...really keeps your disel fuel in top form.

Good luck Patton,

Brad.

There's another shop in Okotoks called Hilltop Shell (I think they answer the phone OK tire or something like that). Shane (the owner) is an honest guy and has worked on our Delica before. He can diagnose Diesel engines, although you may be on your own sourcing parts (same as Kirkham).

hi, patton,
this is a simple problem.
pls dont let any diesel mechanic in your area do the work on your van for now:
its all fine did extensive service on your van before i sold to you.
your van is ok but, just try to block your egr valve.
do this one first.
then now try to push the top botton of the fuel filter until it feels hard to push maybe you have some air.
did happen to some of my customer when they fill up very low on fuel.
as the fuel filter for this L400 is in high position. higher than the injection pump.
so sometime it happen like this.
also chekc if you fill up 100% diesel not gas.
did have customer also have this problem but unfortunately she did put gasoline insteed of diesel
so make sure your fill up the fuel on half tank all the time
to avoid this problem.
did clean and pre test pressurized your injector.
try to call me tomorrow and will help you on this.
this is just a simple one not big. dont need to do injection pump and injector your fine:
604-720-6144
cheers;
mardy

Thanks Mardy,

I'm a bit relieved to hear that it's not serious. I'm not sure how to block the EGR valve or find the fuel filter but I will call you this afternoon to see if you can walk me through this.

If there's a Calgary Delica owner who could help me with this fix I'd be happy to pay for time etc. I also have a Friday night pass for the folk festival this weekend that I'd be happy to give to anyone who could help a brother out.

Cheers,

Patton

your welcome my friend,
anytime just call me
Cheers;
mardy

Thanks Mardy.

I'm running off to the folk festival for the day to get back to my holiday! But I ewill call you soon to get a walkthrough.

Cheers,

Patton

i was planning on blanking my egr as well and do a filter change this weekend. I would have taken you up on the folk fest ticket as i really wanted to go but am silly busy if i have a second i might be able to point you in the right direction....

You mentioned the problems started since your last fill up....

I have been slightly paranoid filling up my van in rural Alberta since my experience with a co-worker filling his diesel work truck in Three Hills a few years ago- one day his truck lost power, blew smoke, and had to go to the shop. When they checked the fuel in his tank, it was almost half water - the underground diesel tank at the fueling station had accumulated a lot of water over time. He showed me a sample of what the mechanic took from the tank.... ugly stuff

I wonder if this may be the case? Do the L400s have a 'water in the fuel' warning light like the L300s?

Anyways, just adding to the brainstorming I hope you get everything sorted and your van back on the road.


Cheers

Hi Patton...

Mardy is right! There is a small vac hose on the left hand side of your engine connected to the egr. All you need to do is to remove that hose from your egr and plug it. That's it.

There is a vac solenoid actuating the egr valve and that is apparently malfunctioning. That will cause all the loss of power and unburned fuel (black smoke) off your exhaust.

Good Luck,

Well, Jeanne-Claude Van Diesel is back on the road and running happily. First, I want to say thanks for all of the responses to the thread. Second, I need to say MARDY WARNED ME ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHEN I PICKED UP THE VAN LAST YEAR. I remembered the warning when I started to have the problem: fill up at about half a tank and save myself a potential headache. Today I had a phone conversation with Mardy as he walked me through a fix. I followed his directions , blocked the vac hose coming out of the EGR valve and pumped the fuel filter until it was hard, and presto! No smoke, no knocking, no hesitation. So thanks everyone, and thanks MARDY I'm on the road back to Saskatoon tomorrow morning. Great end to a fine folk festival k.d. lang was unreal on Saturday night.

hi, patton,
glad that everything works for you now and help you what ever i could.
enjoy your new ride be a happy camper
have a safe trip back home;
Cheer;s
Mardy