Delica P35W won't start -- could it be the glow plugs?

[Growlerbearnz]

Those prices sound about right. They're a bit expensive, eh.

You should probably fit a set of four- if two have failed, then the other two won't have much life left.

Fitting a manual button and the cheaper glow plugs is a pretty good option. You should be able to wire up the new button so it triggers the existing relay, no need to remove or rewire anything (just in case you win the lottery and decide to reinstate the factory glow plug controller )

[EllyStu]

Thank you for that advice. I appreciate it : ) I definitely think it makes sense to replace all 4. I'll keep the two good ones as spares for an emergency.
While I have been looking, I noticed a few ads saying that Nissan glow plugs will fit the Delica, and they are easy to find and inexpensive. So I'll look into that possibility.
Where I'm also noticing a problem is that my Mitsi is a 2L engine, a 4WD but definitely not 2.5L. There are lots of listings for 2.5L engine glow plugs. And life goes on ... Loving a Mitsi gets hard at times, but it's worth it ;)

[Growlerbearnz]

What makes you think your engine is a 2 litre? I ask because Mitsubishi have never made a 2 litre diesel. The closest they got was the 2.3 litre 4D55- but that's not what the factory installed in your P35W. If the engine's been changed to something bizarre then all bets are off!

[EllyStu]

Whoa, now there's a new thought -- and if that were the case it would certainly make things easier. I have the Japanese manuals, a bunch of them, and in various places it has charts showing parts required for the various models, listing tires, for instance, for 2WD and 4WD, and charting 2000 2400 and 2500 engines. I assumed this meant cc and so 2 L, 2.4 L and 2.5 L. In a couple of places on the engine I see 2. Not 2.5. On page 178 I found what I thought is my Mitsi, 4WD 2000. As well, I'm certain that a mechanic in the past told me it was a 2L. Maybe I'm misinterpreting things? If only I read Japanese ...

[EllyStu]

I say it would make things easier because I found a number of glow plugs for 2.5 L, but nothing for 2L.

[EllyStu]

Hey Growler, I think we're making progress. Once again I investigated the van and found another sticker that might hold the key. It reads, "61 62, 4D56, 2476CC MD 137194. Now to me, that sounds like 2.5L. Am I right? If so, this would be awesome!

[Growlerbearnz]

Have a look at your VIN plate- the footwell carpet below your drivers seat should have a cutout flap in it, behind this flap is the VIN plate which will tell you everything you (and your mechanic) need to know about your van's identity. There's a great post here showing how to find and decode the numbers: http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20060

[EllyStu]

Funny you should mention that. I looked at a plate that said it was my VIN and which is actually shown on my insurance forms; I searched several sites and put in that number and came up with nothing. "Unknown." As a matter of fact, I was going to post and ask if these VINs get changed when the vehicle came from Japan to Canada. I did not, however, look on the floor. Maybe there is a different one there. Thanks for that tip! I'll be right on that!

[EllyStu]

Growler, you're a saint, although you might have warned me it is not an easy job to jam yourself in to get photos of that plate I hope the neighbours weren't watching. What a great job that person did of explaining the plate numbers.
This is a huge blessing, giving me all the info I need to investigate and talk about my vehicle. Yes, 2,500 cc : )
And to give a little extra info here, I looked closely at a separate plate which gives the VIN that shows up on my insurance papers, and which has been no use to me in searching for the vehicle's history and specs as many sites claim to be able to do. No wonder. It states "British Columbia, BC Assigned VIN." So Mitsi did get a new VIN when she entered Canada.
Aaaah, yes, another great learning experience. Now back to finding some glow plugs . . . I've noticed there is a great range in the prices and opinions differ as to reliability of the brands. Choices, choices.
Thanks a million, Growler. You've been a great help!

[EllyStu]

I found some glow plugs - yippee! I even got them screwed in, though they all stop far short of total immersion. A friend took them out so I don't know what they looked like originally, but since they all stop at about the same place, I'm guessing that level is correct. I could put the bracket on, but I'm stuck. There are two electrical connections, that is one wire splitting into two short lengths with an O on the end which I know will go on somewhere. But since I didn't take it apart, I don't know where to put the wiring. I don't think it can stretch to two plugs, so both must go on one plug - ? But does it matter which one? I inspected the joining plate (?) for some sign that it house the wiring, but found no clue.
Sure enough, now that I found glow plugs and am ready to rock and roll, the friend is out of town ...
Thanks a lot for any help. I am sooooo close to having Mitsi on the road again : )

[EllyStu]

Success! I put the wire on the second glow plug. She fired right up and is running again. Thanks : )

[Growlerbearnz]

Sounds like you've got it sorted- yes, both wires connect to the same place, usually the second glow plug from the back, and from there the power runs along the connector (bus bar) to the other 3 glow plugs.

Here's a photo of my new Mitsubishi glow plugs when freshly installed- there's a fair amount of thread still showing. (The engine is nowehere near that clean now!)

IMG_20120311_140602.jpg (134.31 KiB) Viewed 6774 times

[EllyStu]

Hi Growler,
Yes indeed, I am thrilled to have Mitsi running again.
What a beautiful engine & photo! That will be of great help to the next person.
Actually, I wish I had another one to do. It would be fun to do the job in 1/10 the time In my Delica, the engine is under the seat. Half the challenge is the gymnastics involved.
I do have one more question about this, please. This morning I jumped out after I started her and the horrible black/blue cloud of smoke I expected was markedly reduced. It was warm and windy, but is this to be expected since the glow plugs are all working properly? I'd imagine this to be likely.

[Growlerbearnz]

Definitely. The glow plugs mainly help start the engine, but they also keep running for a minute or two until the engine warms up, which reduces the amount of smoke and makes the engine run smoother.

[EllyStu]

Excellent! That is great news. Thanks : )