Need some help with ongoing starting issues.

[definingdigital]

I've searched the forum and tried out some advice from other members with similar issues. I just wanted to get some advice on what you guys might think my next step should be with my ongoing starting problems.

Here's what I've done for winter:
-installed block heater
-installed battery blanket
-installed oil heater
-switched to lighter synthetic oil

Status: Starts fine when plugged in for a couple hours before I drive it. Even in -20ish weather.
After it sits for more than 2-3 hours, it has a hard time getting going again. Even if it's not freezing out.

Lately, It's been getting harder to start. It with turn over for a second then die out, and if I turn the key to the on position again right after it died out for the glow plugs to click, nothing happens. Usually they would double click even if it was for a split second. But now right after they don't. (PROBLEM WITH ECU?)

Since this has been happening I've:
-done a seafoam diesel purge
-replaced the fuel filter
-replaced the ECU coolant temperature sensor

Still has the same symptoms. Any ideas? What's next? should I test the glow plugs again ? Could it be time to rebuild the injection pump? Any help would be great! Thanks.

[Firesong]

Your batteries are good I assume? That makes a difference for glow plugs and cranking.

Clean the bus bar. Take a steel wool pad and clean it. Make sure the connections to the glow plugs are clean.

Is the timing correct. I know I say this a lot but that could make the difference with the ip pump sending fuel at the right time.

Any smoke when starting? White? I'm assuming black?

You tested the glow plugs. They lit up connecting to a battery or charger?

Ip pump rebuild is expensive so you don't want to jump into that without knowing for sure. Leaks?

You haven't mentioned injectors. What shape are they in. That might be your problem right there. Seafoam won't fix slop in the springs I bought some off eBay new. For both my old l300 and my l400. Cheap.

[definingdigital]

Battery should be good. Haven't ever had any issues with it. Terminals are clean. I might pull out the glow plugs this weekend and test again. Timing should be good, unless it can change over time? Timing belt was done 30k ago. No leaks or anything by the IP, and when it does have issues starting, it's usually pretty dark to start then clears up once the idle balances out. It also clicks a bunch right after it's running until the idle smooths out as well.

I bugged the owner of the shop that I purchased the deli from and he gave me some pointers for the glow plug cycles as well that I'll try out in the next couple days...

----------------------
Guidelines for cold weather Starts;
0 to -10 = 2 glow cycles. -10 to -30 = 3 glow cycles
Glow Cycle = on for 6 to 8 seconds, off for 10 seconds.

[Firesong]

I disagree with the cycles. Both my l300 and l400 can fire up with a single cycle. It takes a lot of juice to cycle meaning your draining from the batteries before you try to start


Worst start for me was -27 ish for the l300 and it was hit or miss on that one. The l400 series 2 starts all the time.

Have a look at your injectors.

[definingdigital]

Interesting. It didn't seem to make much of a difference when I tried yesterday. Should I pull the injectors out and inspect? or just take to a diesel shop and get them to do an injector cleaning? Or just buy new ones?

[Firesong]

I bought my injectors from Ebay for both vehicles.
Cheaper than getting them rebuilt.

I got them from this guy (his website), he also sells on
ebay.
http://store.dieselinjectorsuk.co.uk/mi ... rs-en.html

Firesong