Fine Tune Starting

[sigurross]

Hey there,

I recently changed my fuel filter in hopes my engine would start a little better but my problems still persist. By no means are these major problems as my van always starts and I can hit the road after a little warm up. But I want to fine tune my start as much as I can.

The problems I notice is that it sounds like the engine struggles for the first 30 seconds. Originally I suspected the fuel filter as it looked as though it was on the van when it was imported years ago (i'm the second owner since import). It was a Tokyo Roki brand? On a side note, I'm going to cut it open when i get some time to show you guys, it is going to be nasty. I've noticed a notable difference in power since the change but the start is still a little ruff. I now suspect a faulty glow plug but I don't know, i'm no mechanic. Also, my belts are squeaky for the first 20 minutes or so, not a huge deal, but again would be nice to figure out.

Anyway, here is a video I took:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd_F1PrqjKQ

Any suggestions would be welcome for improving my start. Thanks folks!

- Jason

[Fishtank]

Sounds pretty normal to me. Although your idle may need to be adjusted up a little, it should be about 750-800 RPM if I remember correctly. If you have the manual throttle adjustment on the left side of the steering column you can use that to hold a higher idle for warm up. About 1000 RPM for a minute or two, 5 or so in the Winter depending on the temperature, is what I usually went with on my L300.

Check your belt tension for the squealing. If they're tight, try belt dressing if they're in good condition. If they're is poor condition, change them. This too may be solved by increasing your idle speed.

You can't go wrong by confirming whether your glow plugs are good or bad, this can make a huge difference in starting.

The little puff of black you made a note of in the video is normal.

Good luck.

[konadog]

Sounds good to me - Just a turn of the key and it fired right up - the little puff is normal as is visible vapour for a bit when it's cold.

[thedjjack]

Sounds right for a cold start....Diesels use compression to ignite the fuel so when cold they struggle a little until the combustion chamber is warm...

[FalcoColumbarius]

What kind of oil do you use and when was the last time you changed it?

I just changed the oil in the MLB. I change it every 5,000 kilometres. Up until the last time I changed it I used Lubro Moly 15/40 semi-synthetic ~ the wagon loved it. Last time I used Castrol 15/40 oil, a lot of things changed, performance of engine wasn't as good, starts were not so wonderful and the fuel economy was not up to par (had gone from 8.6 KPL {city} to more like 8.1). This time I am using Wolf's Head 15/40 semi-synthetic. The drive home was excellent. I couldn't hold her back ~ she was taking on every Porsche & Audi she came across. I expect the economy will improve, as well. Semi-synthetic costs a little more but boy is it worth it.

Falco.

[Spearo]

Sounds exactly like it should I think :)
Mine was problematic last year- I got the glow plugs and injectors replaced, and it sounds exactly like that.

[sigurross]

@Fishtank - My idle is at around 750rpm. I've noticed that throttle but have never used it, i'll read up on it and try what you're recommending.

@Falco - Where did you get that Wolf's Head oil is it a special order or does lordco or napa stock it? I currently use Shell Rotella 15W40. It was definitely a noticeable improvement from what was in there when I bought it (3 months ago) but I'm open to trying other brands. I'm definitely going to try this out next oil change!

Thanks all for confirming everything sounds good. Probably going to change out those belts though, they are just squeaky enough to drive me nuts. Definitely don't want to listen to those on a cold morning when I haven't had my coffee!

There is a lot of debate over the size of the various belts. Is my best bet to take off what I have (provided they have decent tension) and try to get as close of match as I can at a parts store?

- Jason

[yojimbo]

Does the engine note suddenly change after about 5 minutes when it warms? There is a cold start device which I believe alters the timing to make starting easier.

As for belts just feel which are loose, its probably one of the alty belts, there's a few different sizes, but they are all for the same application, just the manf in particular may spec the 1100mm one where anothers equiv is the 1090mm one.

[Fishtank]

@Fishtank - My idle is at around 750rpm. I've noticed that throttle but have never used it, i'll read up on it and try what you're recommending.
- Jason

Jason, to use the manual throttle, press your accelerator pedal to the RPM you desire. Then pull the knob out till it stops and turn it clockwise (tighten) to lock it in place. You may also feel the cable pull some of the pressure off the accelerator pedal when you do this.

@Falco - Where did you get that Wolf's Head oil is it a special order or does lordco or napa stock it? I currently use Shell Rotella 15W40. It was definitely a noticeable improvement from what was in there when I bought it (3 months ago) but I'm open to trying other brands. I'm definitely going to try this out next oil change!

If you currently run the Rotella T 15W40 try switching to the Rotella T 5W40 Synthetic, you may see some improvements.

As for belts just feel which are loose, its probably one of the alty belts, there's a few different sizes, but they are all for the same application, just the manf in particular may spec the 1100mm one where anothers equiv is the 1090mm one.

To add to yojimbo's comment, when you buy your belts ask to use their belt sizer and compare both belts to see their length. I've had a 'matched' set of belts not be the same size and had to compare 4 different ones to get a set the same size. This will cut down on the possibility of squealing. Before you do this, check tension and apply some belt dressing.

[thedjjack]

Warning on switching oil brands.....

A study of Taxis Cabs that always used one brand of oil to Taxis cabs that constantly change oil brand found that staying with the same oil brand greatly reduce engine damage (did not matter which brand just that it was consistent).

My advice find an oil you like and stick to it...(I am not one for brand loyalty)

[yojimbo]

To add to yojimbo's comment, when you buy your belts ask to use their belt sizer and compare both belts to see their length. I've had a 'matched' set of belts not be the same size and had to compare 4 different ones to get a set the same size. This will cut down on the possibility of squealing. Before you do this, check tension and apply some belt dressing.

To add to Fishtanks comment this is very true, the last 2 sets of belts I've had have been different, I could tell just by stretching them out by hand, i tightened both sets up as well as I could, and they were both squealing by the next day, which is a real PITA if you've put all the seat and floor back in etc. Unmatched pairs will bed in, but they take time, next time what I'll do is fit them, run the engine for a little while to get them all nice and hot and worked, switch it off, and go inside. Then the next day, see how they feel when they've been run and left under tension overnight, and adjust again, it would save a lot of seat removal!

By the way, this stubby 12mm ratchet is awesome for such work!

[FalcoColumbarius]

@Falco - Where did you get that Wolf's Head oil is it a special order or does lordco or napa stock it? I currently use Shell Rotella 15W40. It was definitely a noticeable improvement from what was in there when I bought it (3 months ago) but I'm open to trying other brands. I'm definitely going to try this out next oil change!

I got it at CVI because that is usually where I do my oil changes. Look it up on line or ask around. Not sure if Wolf's Head is the best, although they do have a pedigree and a history. I think the magic word here is "semi-synthetic", whichever brand it is. Basically your engine will sound better, sooner if you're using a semi-synthetic oil as it tends to stay with the moving parts of the engine over night, where a regular oil tends to fall off the parts as time goes by and fill into the pan and when the engine starts in the morning the moving parts don't have any oil on them to start with until the oil in the pan starts to circulate. The sound in the video reminded me of the MLB starting in the morning when she was on the regular oil.

Falco.

[nxski]

In regards to oils, I've heard Royal Purple full synthetic is the god of all oils so I'm trying that out next (pretty expensive though). What thedjjack says makes sense. Maybe test out a few oils, find one you like and then stick with it.

[tonydca]

No expert, but sounds to me like what others have chimed in - the cold idle seems a bit low, but otherwise seems OK.

When my L400 *did* have a duff glowplug, a cold startup was accompanied by a rhythmic "puh-puh-puh-puh" of the same cylinder missing each time along with a fair amount of white smoke (fully-unburned fuel).

Oilwise, on jfarsang's advice, I've been using Rotella 5W40 full synthetic since I got my van nearly two years ago, and the ol' girl really seems to like it, especially on colder mornings. Starts first crank every time.

Clean filters and a healthy battery can't hurt either...

[konadog]

I switched to the Shell 5-40 Rottella synthetic a couple of winters back and immediately developed a small leak. Talked to the mechanics about it who suggested I switch back to 15-40 mineral and as soon as I did the leak vanished. The #5 synthetic is much thinner than the #15 mineral it will find its way through cracks and on to the ground where the mineral stays inside. I'm not suggesting not using it, just that if you do to watch for new leaks - I don't want oil drip stains on mine and my client's driveways. The biggest help I gave my bus for cold (near freezing or below) starts was a block heater.