Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I've got the Delica and it runs well once it's running. Funnest thing to drive ever really. But starting it is troublesome. It's got the cold weather package, so I figured it should start up more easily.

It turns over for a good long while (after letting the glow plugs warm up cycle a few times), like it's just not catching. Eventually it does, but I worry there may be something else involved. Does this sound like a timing issue? Or is that just how deisels work in the cold? I'm planning to put an inline coolant heater in, but wonder how much difference it makes.

Then there's a horrible squealing for a bit. It sounds like a loose belt, probably the alternator, as that's the noise all my other cars have made when that belt was loose. Once the engine warms a bit, and I send the revs up past 3000rpm or so the noise stops.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
turf'd

What temperature are you starting at? The coldest I've started my Delica (also with the cold weather package) is -5. The engine only turns a couple of times before it catches, cranking time less than 5 seconds.

Note that at low temperatures (under about 5 degrees) you want your right foot to the floor during cranking, and be ready to set the revs with the hand throttle when the engine catches.

...laura

Cold package or not, the Delicas are not designed for very cold places like Canada. I prefer not to drive mine if it's colder that -12 or something like that. I haven't had any issues starting the car if it's between 0 ~ -10, and if it's colder than that I've used the in-line heater installed by Pro-Active here in Calgary. So far the temperature hasn't been too cold and this is my first winter with the Deli, so I don't really know how's going to be.

Good luck and maybe I'll see you around...

Fabio
Calgary

Try changing the glow plugs. I put new ones in last week, and there is a world of difference on cold weather starting (Northern BC). I just pull the hand throttle all the way out to start and adjust once running rather than using my foot. Starts easily to -15C (not plugged in) now, whereas before in that temperature there was a lot of cranking, smoking, and rough idling. If one or two glow plugs are shot (as was the case with mine) starting in cold weather is tough. I also put 5W40 synthetic in this oil change. Seems to help it spin over in the cold as well. It should get a good test this weekend on the road trip to Edmonton.

As for the squealing, I would assume one of the belts. Adjusting the alternator tension requires some contortion if done from the top or bottom, but if you look at the wheel well of the drivers side, there is a rubber flap covering a space between the uni-frame and bottom of the fender well. Remove the flap and the adjusting nuts are right there. I found that one of the flex head ratcheting wrenches works best.

Good luck

James

I've got the Delica and it runs well once it's running. Funnest thing to drive ever really. But starting it is troublesome. It's got the cold weather package, so I figured it should start up more easily.

It turns over for a good long while (after letting the glow plugs warm up cycle a few times), like it's just not catching. Eventually it does, but I worry there may be something else involved.

This is exactly what I had on the weekend. It took me 30 minutes of cranking to get it to go up on the ski hill. I tested the voltages going to the glow plug bus bar and saw the correct voltages. I have checked the controller circuit hidden in by the drivers seat belt column. Fuel appeared to be getting to the engine. Well I figured it had to be glow plugs right...so I changed the plugs on Monday. Well as it turns out that did not fix the problem. I had difficulty starting it up again yesterday, to a much lesser degree than on the ski hill but more than it should have considering the temperature.

I have it in the shop today and it is looking like the temperature sensor in the cylinder that tells the controller what the temperature is inside the cylinder is reading hot all of the time and therefore is not sourcing any current to the glow plug relays. I am not saying that this is your issue but it does sound similar and I would not have bought $200 worth of glow plugs if I had known this. I should know more by the end of the day and can give an update. Maybe hold off on the glow plugs if you can.

-Mark

Well, it was about -12 this morning and the Delica started. I wouldn't say that it was the prettiest thing ever, but it did fire up. Took some time, perhaps 45s-1min of turning over to finally, stutteringly start. Of course, then the horrible belt squeal started up, and it's not too nice for the neighbours to have to hear that first thing in the morning. There's a fair amount of smoke involved in the startting process as well.

As I just got the van to Calgary, it's certainly not used to the cold yet. Does anyone have any recommedations for cold weather adjustments to be made to the Delica to make winter running smoother? Are there any parts that are particularly succeptible to the cold? The engine temperature gauge seems to be always on Cold, which is no surprise given the weather, so I'm not sure if that would be the problem. I suppose I should check on the glow plugs as well.

Another unrelated question:

The front A/C button: when I press it in, it lights up blue, out is amber. Which position is off? I've tried looking in the manual, but those cutesy Japanese pictures are somewhat uncommunicative on this particular issue.

Thanks for all the advice!

Cheers

turf'd wrote:The front A/C button: when I press it in, it lights up blue, out is amber. Which position is off? I've tried looking in the manual, but those cutesy Japanese pictures are somewhat uncommunicative on this particular issue.

Out is off. At least, that's how it behaves: the idle speed goes up when I push the button in, and the air conditioner blows really cold air.

The JPNZ manual doesn't go in to much detail on this either.

...laura

marsgal42 wrote:

turf'd wrote:The front A/C button: when I press it in, it lights up blue, out is amber. Which position is off? I've tried looking in the manual, but those cutesy Japanese pictures are somewhat uncommunicative on this particular issue.

Out is off. At least, that's how it behaves: the idle speed goes up when I push the button in, and the air conditioner blows really cold air.

The JPNZ manual doesn't go in to much detail on this either.

...laura

man does the idle ever shoot up, mine goes up to about 1500 just for the ac, seems like a little bit of overkill.

you guys should make sure youre not waiting too long after your glow plug relay clicks. I have the fast start... rarely takes more than 5-10 second, but if i wait even like 10 seconds after the second click it doesnt start as happily. If you want to get the plugs going again turn the key off and on again, dont just leave it. I have never had to crank for long even in -25 with a crappy stick on oil pan heater. Get good batteries, just tap the gas as you start it and feed it gently. Ive also never had to put the pedal to the floor to start it.

I second adrock's advice. I have an optimum battery, synthetic oil, and a winter fuel additive and things are good, as far north as I've been anyway. I get it going without using the gas and then set it at 1500rpm for a minute or two to warm it up. I refrain from using the heater until the temp gauge has a reading.

I guess the manual says to hold it to the floor when starting below -20 or something? personally I'm not sure I like the idea of full throttle high revs with a dead cold engine.

With a diesel which is hard on a cold engine, high revs, or strain? using too high a gear when it isn't warmed up and putting too much strain on it is bad I've heard.

turf'd wrote:The front A/C button: when I press it in, it lights up blue, out is amber. Which position is off?

Stock is amber when off and out, green when on and in. (The opposite of the driver's rear heater/AC switch, which is green when off, amber when on.) As others have mentioned, the idle jumps up too.

My deli isn't entirely happy with starting at -10 or worse. I've got in-line heater. My procedure (still have factory glowplugs and controller) is:
Run glow plugs once. When clicks off, switch to ACC, wait 2-3 seconds, run glow 2nd time (it goes shorter time). Switch to acc, wait 2-3 seconds, run glow 3rd time. As soon as it clicks off, start with foot to the floor. It chugs and stumbles for about 15 seconds before revs start to build. I don't let it go over 1500 rpm. Lots of smoke is involved.

Once it is running smoothly, I might use hand throttle to hold it at 1000-1500 for a couple of minutes while loading my gear. Or I drive off.

When using the hand throttle, I use foot on gas pedal to set desired speed, then pull out knob. Much easier than pulling knob. Also, I notice that the revs will build, so keep eye on it, or you will end up at 2000+

I also try to remember to release hand throttle before driving off.

Just my 2 cents worth. We'll see how it starts today at -15

Re the horrible squeaking.

I would check your engine mounts, that is what it sounds like to me. Delicas often have badly deteriorated rubber parts, like the front swaybar bushings, the mounts are probably in the same bad shape. replace em, its cheap and your neighbours will thank you.

sid

coaxial wrote:I guess the manual says to hold it to the floor when starting below -20 or something? personally I'm not sure I like the idea of full throttle high revs with a dead cold engine.

When a cold 4D56 first catches there is no worry about over-revving it: it will only just barely run at all. After a few seconds the revs will pick up and then you'll need to back off. My starting drill is consistent with the pictures and numbers in the Japanese manual, and is more-or-less verbatim from the JPNZ manual.

Lots of smoke, too...

...laura

Since we're all talking about starting these things when they're cold, what is the proper sequence? In mine, the glow plug symbol (what I'm assuming is the glow plug symbol, next to the "A/T Temp" indicator) lights up with all the other indicators when the key is turned to the ON position. What I am unfamiliar with is the fact the glow plug indicator doesn't extinguish after they've warmed up (like every other diesel vehicle I've ever driven).

I'm thinking there isn't a problem (or not much of one anyway) because the vehicle does start readily enough, even when it gets cold here in Victoria. I don't rev it up too high (maybe 1000-1200rpm) and use the throttle lock for two to five minutes, and then I'm off (disengaging the throttle lock of course).

Finally, the squealing, mightn't that be the turbo 'complaining' of the cold? That's the only time I ever hear my engine squeal (and when there is very little get-up-and-go) and that's what I think it is (CCAutos put all new belts in mine when it arrived, so I don't think it would be that).