Block Heater - Glow Plugs

[dfnder]

Is it a big deal to have a block heater installed? I'm interested in getting one as I have a manual (push button) glow plug on my van and it works only ok. I'm heading to Sun Peaks in a week or so and I am concerned that the extra cold temp may make it difficult to start.

Push button glow plug system goes through the 6V GlowPlug relay... I was wondering if anyone knew of a 12V glow plug for the Deli as maybe that would work better than the 6V. Starting is never smooth but ignition catches right away at least - I just hate that it runs rough for a bit.

My preference would be to get the ECU to control the plugs but it seems there is a communication issue - ECU is fine but doesn't fire glow plugs until after startup.

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Installing a blocker heater definitely helps to start in cold weather along with 0w-40 engine oil.

As for the glow plugs, pls see this article.

Delica L300 (1991 - 1993) has 'Super Quick Glow Plug System' which was designed to shorten the glow plug warm up time. To shorten the duration, they used 6.2V glow plugs (on glow plug, it is written 6.2V [12V]) rather than 12V ones that they used earlier, with two relays (one for before-start and the other for after-start to prevent the burnout of glow plugs) and a dropping resistor. The main disadvantage of this system is that glow plugs were much easier to burn out because of the voltage. Hence, glow plugs needed to be replaced earlier than anticipated. Imagine the second relay is dead. That means your glow plugs will fail soon from overheating.

Delica L300 (post 1993) has 'Self Regulating Glow Plug System' which uses 11V glow plugs with one relay. If you understand what is written above, you will understand why Mitsubishi abandoned 6.2V glow plug system with two relays.

And this thread,
http://www.delica.ca/forum/hyundai-11v- ... 10236.html

Steven

[CV-25]

Block Heater has been a Godsend for me, we have had a cold winter and with the block heater plugged in she fires up right away and very easily. I have been caught a couple times without it plugged in and though she starts up, it is always an ordeal.
Hopefully the winter is coming to an end but if you are starting your Van up in -4 or colder very often....get a block heater, or a garage. Just one trip to Sun Peaks? don't bother.

CV-25

[ilikemax]

Sun Peaks eh? I spent 5 hours trying to get my L400 started attempting to leave 2 weeks ago. It was brutal. I wish I had invested in a block heater just to save myself the ordeal. It gets damn cold up there and I recommend being prepared.

*Disclaimer: I have only had my deli for less than a month. I am not a technical expert and I learned all these tricks just going through the ordeal*

I got the thing running twice but it would not stay running. I was ready to give up and here is what worked:
I put in 20L of diesel (this got me to 1/2 tank), primed the fuel pump, attached a portable booster and pumped the crap out of the accelerator when turning the starter. It eventually started and produced a significant amount of black smoke... which I still have to address.

Since then, I got a Deli tune and checked the glow plugs (which were totally fine).

Here is what I recommend having/getting:

1) Make sure you have extra diesel on you - enough to bring up to at least 1/2 tank
2) Portable booser or another car
3) Cold weather fuel additive
4) 0W30 oil

have a great trip!

max

[konadog]

Block heater is great - easy to install in a manual tranny bus, much trickery in autos. There is a good thread on the subject by Wookie...
http://www.delica.ca/forum/how-to-insta ... -4260.html