Tis' The Season - Hard Starting

[cosmo727]

Hello All

1996 L300 Active World
Dual Battery both new (Cold Weather Package)

I have read almost all threads relating to glow plugs and hard starting. I have the 11V Self Regulating system based on my reading, please correct me if I'm wrong. From what I understand, I am very happy that I do not have the 6V system.

I have been having a hard time starting at temperatures between 10 degrees C and zero. Troubleshooting so far includes:

[1] checking for system voltage at the plug rail during the glow cycle (it's there, 11V all across the rail)

[2] pulling the plugs and measuring the resistance (three of them were at 0.7 ohms and the other was open, not sure which plug came from which cylinder if that matters)

[3] also applied battery voltage to all four (the three "good" ones glowed red hot within a second or two and the open one did nothing as expected).

I have the normal two clicks when cold and no clicks when warm indicating that the temp sensor and ECU are working correctly. So here's my question, will one bad plug cause the hard starting as described or could it be that the other three are on their way out as well? I am ordering new glow plugs to start and see what happens. Any suggestions as to what to look at while waiting for the plugs or what to look at next if the new plugs don't solve the starting issues would be greatly appreciated.

Forgot to mention, I am not seeing an EGT rise, probe is installed pre-turbo in the EGR blanking plate. Not sure if I should. IP seal seems to be mentioned frequently. Hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks for reading!!

[Big-Bird]

Even one bad plug can cause a problem. Test the new ones before you install them to make ensure they all work properly.

A fouled injector(s) could also make cold starting hard because the fuel doesn't atomize properly then it won't ignite properly.

Be sure to clean the bus bar and the power wire lead...scotchbright pads work great so does steel wool.

[cosmo727]

Thanks for the reply Big-Bird

That's exactly what I did before putting them back in, cleaned the bus bar and power lead with scotchbright. I have the injectors on my to do list, I want to see how she starts with the new plugs first. It did start a little easier this morning, probably due to the bus bar and lead cleaning.

[philmeup1]

Hey, I'm from Peterborough, On with a '93 Delica Super Exceed. I had this problem last spring where one of my plugs was bad. It was hard to start and when it did finally go, lots of smoke and crap came outta the exhaust. I usually keep a spare set of plugs in my tool box. Steven at Rising Sun sells them and they are quite excellent to deal with. Anyway, after changing all the plugs, the problem went away.

Now when it gets to like -35 which was pretty much all of last February, that's a whole other nightmare right there. I also have the 2nd (and they are also new) battery system in mine. Even with a magnetic oil pan heater, some days it just wouldn't start. I'm thinking of installing a frost plug heater in it this year. They say we're in for a mild winter this year. I think that's wishful thinking.....


Anyway, Good luck with everything Phil

[cosmo727]

Thanks for the input Phil. I'm pretty sure when the new plugs are installed that she will light off pretty quick.

Off topic, do you have any pics of your van on the site? If so whats the thread?
Would be nice to have an Ontario Delica meet someday. If you are ever in the K-W area, give me a shout!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hi Cosmo,

I was unaware that Mitsubishi traded out the 6.2V super glows out of the 4D56. A good way to clarify this is to go to JDM Online Catalogue found in this thread and enter your chassis number into the Mitsubishi field once you click on the link. This will give you all the stock OEM numbers that came with your wagon, including the date she rolled of the assembly line. If the number happens to be MD092392 ~ they're 6.2 super glows.

Falco.

P.S.: Before you rip the electrical system out of your engine, don't rule out that maybe it's just corrosion on the terminals/cable ends. It's a classic turn of events when the weather changes. It doesn't take much corrosion to inhibit power flow from the batteries, may not even be noticeable on the terminals. Clean the terminals/cable ends with a wire brush and see how that works for you. :) FC.

[cosmo727]

New glow plugs installed and fired up nice and quick at 0C. Looks like one bad plug and light corrosion can cause issues.