Glow Plugs... Extra Activity After Start-up?

[Green1]

before I (well, okay, I'll give Green1 the credit) broke one.

I was wondering how long before the truth came out...

I really am sorry about that one...

Word of advice to anyone working on the plugs... EXTREMELY gentle with the wrench on those nuts...

[Erebus]

EXTREMELY gentle with the wrench on those nuts...

Now there's good life advice LOL

Ah, I watched you do it, it's not like you were reefing on them. Hey, wanna help me put the new ones in? <duck>

[Green1]

Hey, wanna help me put the new ones in? <duck>

may I recommend some liquid-wrench on the plugs... the bolt we can deal with, but if a plug sheers off... that would be nasty...

[g_man1972]

Hmmm mine is a bit different. Get a first click, start, set it to 1000rpm. Few seconds later hear another single click, RPM goes up to 11-1200, few seconds later click, back down to 1000. Does this 3 or 4 times until the final click when the RPM stays at 11-1200. Does this if its -2 or +10, normal too?

[mararmeisto]

Hmmm mine is a bit different. Get a first click, start, set it to 1000rpm. Few seconds later hear another single click, RPM goes up to 11-1200, few seconds later click, back down to 1000. Does this 3 or 4 times until the final click when the RPM stays at 11-1200. Does this if its -2 or +10, normal too?

Are you 'setting' it to 1000rpm with the throttle lock?

I find the warm-up-throttling settles down to 750rpm after only a minute or two, but it definitely works A LOT better if one waits for the second click. I think Moon Machine has a temperature sensor problem which is why the second click is always 10 seconds after START.

[jessef]

Hmmm mine is a bit different. Get a first click, start, set it to 1000rpm. Few seconds later hear another single click, RPM goes up to 11-1200, few seconds later click, back down to 1000. Does this 3 or 4 times until the final click when the RPM stays at 11-1200. Does this if its -2 or +10, normal too?

Yours is no different than all the rest. It's up to the driver on how they start it up.

Healthiest way for your engine :

1. Turn on ignition to 'ON' - wait for two clicks (2 seconds apart from eachother)

2. If temperature is above 0 celcius (skip step 3 and go to 4)

3. Below zero / Turn ignition off. Wait 2 seconds. Turn on ignition to 'ON' - wait for two clicks. Repeat this step 2-3 times.

4. Turn on engine and pull throttle lock cable to 1,200 RPM. Wait for the series of clicks. Usually 6-10 clicks depending on heat/temp.

5. When clicking has stopped, push throttle lock cable in (900-1000 rpm) and drive about slowly (under 1,500 rpm) until engine warms up (look at gauge).

Jesse

[GREENME@U]

Are you 'setting' it to 1000rpm with the throttle lock?

I find the warm-up-throttling settles down to 750rpm after only a minute or two, but it definitely works A LOT better if one waits for the second click. I think Moon Machine has a temperature sensor problem which is why the second click is always 10 seconds after START.

Hello there guys u all might know this but i have found when i first used the throttle lock it would always disingauge slowly but then i got mad and gave it a little twist tighter works nice now it wont slowly go down to 750rpms. this may sound stupid but im just trying to help! thks

Marty

[marsgal42]

The owners manual (as far as I can tell with my non-existent Japanese) also says to cycle the glow plugs more than once when its cold. I just wonder why the snowman looks so nasty?

Even with iffy batteries (thanks to a questionable alternator, since repaired), I had no starting issues last winter. My coldest start was at -6. Cue laughter from the Interior and Prairie folks.

I keep the revs between 1000 and 1500 with the hand throttle just as long as I need to, which is about the time it takes to pop a CD in the stereo and do up my seatbelt. Then I drive off, gently for the first couple of km, then normally after that. These are diesel engines, and with no load on them they will never warm up properly.

At least on Gumdrop, the hand throttle is very stiff. It's easier to set the revs with the accelerator, then hold that position with the hand throttle. Shogo showed me the correct starting procedure, clicks and all, when I took delivery last September.

...laura

[FalcoColumbarius]

The owners manual (as far as I can tell with my non-existent Japanese) also says to cycle the glow plugs more than once when its cold. I just wonder why the snowman looks so nasty?

Because it is fifteen ******* degrees below freezing in Hokkaido... smiles.

Falco.

[mararmeisto]

Are you 'setting' it to 1000rpm with the throttle lock?

I find the warm-up-throttling settles down to 750rpm after only a minute or two, but it definitely works A LOT better if one waits for the second click. I think Moon Machine has a temperature sensor problem which is why the second click is always 10 seconds after START.

Hello there guys u all might know this but i have found when i first used the throttle lock it would always disingauge slowly but then i got mad and gave it a little twist tighter works nice now it wont slowly go down to 750rpms. this may sound stupid but im just trying to help! thks

Marty

Without making this post sound like another with the WD40-and-knob-and-pulling comments:

-depress accelerator to desired rpms;
-pull out the throttle lock to 'capture' the accelerator;
-rotate throttle lock clockwise to lock it into place.

When finished, rotate throttle lock anti-clockwise to release.

[Erebus]

I'm thinking of installing a 'glow lamp' as indicated in the maintenance drawings, simply because I live on a very busy street and I can't always hear the second click. Thinking of putting it on the centre console near the window switches. Will show when complete.

Green1 has found a spot to connect a glow plug light. If you can't hear the relay click, watch the red idiot lights. Mine go noticably brighter when the relay clicks off.

after the initial one-click-two-click glow plug startup cycle on a cold morning there is an additional series of rapid clicks from the relays (a dozen or more clicks) while the engine runs rough for the first minute or so. Two of the three Delica owners polled said that this is normal and that their vehicles do the same thing but the third said that his didn't, that it's not normal at all, and that I should get it checked, maybe get the computer replaced.

I don't consider it normal. Mine didn't really do that until I broke off the top of one glow plug. It then did it like crazy as I mention in an earlier post.

Yesterday I replaced all 4 glow plugs with new ones, the computer no longer did the crazy clicking. It then did its first pair of clicks, then after start came on for about 10 seconds, then off. Nothing more.

So I would suspect your glowplugs need attention, not the ECM.

[MadB0mb3r]

During this previous winter i had the unfortunate opportunity to spend 4 days off in Edmonton. During that time i was driving my Delica in Sub -42c with no coolant heater and no where to plug in my oil pan heater. the lowest it got with the wind was -52.
And no matter what. if you do not have a coolant heater or block heater at this temp your Delica and any other vehicle will not start.

So i went to crappy tire and bought an upward vented low profile propane heater and put it under the engine making sure to check for anything flammable like wiring etc.. seems the best place was on the drivers side just behind the front wheel and slightly inwards. 30 mins of heat and with a blanket over the engine and some cranking. ( 2 batteries yay!!) she (Chammy) fired up.

i do have a coolant heater now.. though not installed yet :) I'm sure by the time it gets cold again i will have it in :)

or even better i wont end up in Edmonton again during a cold snap. or at anytime for that matter.

I think most of my glow plugs are functioning still.. if i wait for both clicks she fires up no prob.

though when its cooler i aswell get the extra activity from the glow plugs after i have started her up.

[jessef]

after the initial one-click-two-click glow plug startup cycle on a cold morning there is an additional series of rapid clicks from the relays (a dozen or more clicks) while the engine runs rough for the first minute or so. Two of the three Delica owners polled said that this is normal and that their vehicles do the same thing but the third said that his didn't, that it's not normal at all, and that I should get it checked, maybe get the computer replaced.

I don't consider it normal. Mine didn't really do that until I broke off the top of one glow plug. It then did it like crazy as I mention in an earlier post.

Breaking off the top of one of the plugs will do just that. The glow control unit will keep firing away until the temp is there. One plug out and it will confuse the controller.

My long time friend is a diesel mechanic, as was his dad and grandpa. Runs in the family and they've built a solid business on it.

They all said it's normal. To be sure, I contacted more mech's (this was last year when I was thinking about the same thing on my Paj).

Diesel mechanics in Japan say it. Mitsu mechanics in the Phillipines and Japan say it. Diesel mechanics here say it.

It doesn't always run a series of clicks after the initial two. It depends on heat/warmth/condition of the plugs.

If your plugs are fowled up, it will definitely take longer (clicking) as opposed to having clean/fresh set of plugs.

But the series clicking is normal.

After a complete loaded tuneup including new ECM/plugs/injectors/pumps,etc.. Pajero still did it depending on weather. Same with 4 other Pajero's. Same engine. Same dilly deal.

These 4D56's aren't any different than other diesel's with mech injection.

Fouled plugs is where I would look at 1st while diagnosing. But really, they should be replaced on any import once they get here along with a solid tune up.

Jesse

[Green1]

the lowest it got with the wind was -52.

*nitpick* wind chill doesn't affect inanimate objects, only things that generate their own heat (warm blooded animals, like us!)

Therefore wind chill only affects the rate at which the engine will return to the ambient temperature, and not the temperature it will get down to.

So if the temperature is -30 with a wind chill of -45, the engine will only see this as -30, it will never see anything colder. *end nitpicking*

Regardless, Anything below -20 I think it's acceptable for an engine to complain, I know I'm not happy at those temperatures, why would I expect the vehicle to be!

[ghmorris]

We run on the wrong side of -30C regularly in the winter. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Make sure your glow system works properly, your oil is right for the climate and you should be fine.

If it gets really cold, like -35C or worse, plug it in for a couple of hours first. I see too many people that run 15w45 and expect to start easily when its cold. 0w40 rocks! If you don't believe me, try it in a hand cranked generator and feel the difference. I can start our 6KW on the first pull even when its really cold.

George