1994 KZJ78 Prado 1KZ-TE Engine having rough cold/first start and I am stumped. Please help. New Owner.

[fng2021]

Hello,

As the title says, my KZJ78 with the 1KZ-TE engine is having a tough time starting on the first go around. It continually cranks but doesn't start for an abnormally long time. When it does, white smoke comes out of the exhaust. After researching this, I checked the Glow fuse (which looks good), checked to make sure the relay is supplying power to the glow plugs (it holds 11.87V for a full 15 seconds before shutting off), and also replaced the glow plugs with brand new ones for good measure. After all this, the engine continues to have a difficult time starting on the first go and just keeps cranking instead. The only other thing I can analyze is that the glow plug light on the dash turns off after about 1 second after I turn the key to warm the plugs. However, like I said, the glow plugs are still getting power supplied to them by the relay for a full 15 seconds. I'm a new owner and this is my first diesel. Hoping you guys might be able to shed some light here for me. Is it the relay, even though the plugs seem to be getting power? Or is there something else I am missing? Thank you for the help in advance!

 

[javelinadave]

1KZ-TE Starting Issues - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1kz-te-starting-issues.1366150/

 

[Tanner H]

In my opinion it sounds like air is in the lines. (Long cranking, then white smoke)

I would try this to see if you achieve different results:

-on top of the fuel filter is a black button. this is used to prime your fuel filter. Press down on that several times until it starts to get firm (thats what she said)
then try to start your engine.


tomorrow morning go out to your truck and before you do anything...press down on that black button on the fuel filter again. if its not stiff, that means you have air somewhere in your fuel system lines causing air to seep in and fuel to drain back into the tank.



I have the same truck and I read somewhere that the fuel filter housing can crack or fail causing air to get in there and making starting a chore.

 

[AirheadNut]

Really common problem for the primer pump on top of the filter housing to fail and leak air into the filter causing the exact symptoms you are describing. New filter housings are available.

 

[fng2021]

In my opinion it sounds like air is in the lines. (Long cranking, then white smoke)

I would try this to see if you achieve different results:

-on top of the fuel filter is a black button. this is used to prime your fuel filter. Press down on that several times until it starts to get firm (thats what she said)
then try to start your engine.


tomorrow morning go out to your truck and before you do anything...press down on that black button on the fuel filter again. if its not stiff, that means you have air somewhere in your fuel system lines causing air to seep in and fuel to drain back into the tank.



I have the same truck and I read somewhere that the fuel filter housing can crack or fail causing air to get in there and making starting a chore.

I will try just that. Thank you!