2L-T Smoky start

[Rosters]

10 seconds of black smoke says there is most likely something wrong with the injection system. I would get the injectors checked, I know you had them done, but it shouldn't be making black smoke if it was done properly.
Come back and tell us what your mechanic wants to do.

 

[Rosters]

10 seconds of black smoke says there is most likely something wrong with the injection system. I would get the injectors checked, I know you had them done, but it shouldn't be making black smoke if it was done properly.
Come back and tell us what your mechanic wants to do.

 

[Rosters]

I was just looking at your other post too where you were taking about your compression numbers. I had low compression on one cylinder in my original 2LTE short block. It would always smoke and misfire for the first few seconds after startup. It was obvious it was running on 3 cylinders; and I could see the pulses of smoke coming out the exhaust from the one bad cylinder. Once the motor warmed a bit it ran on all 4. Doesn't sound like this is what is happening to yours though.

 

[Rosters]

 

[Rosters]

I do recommend just removing the whole system. Many of us have removed all the EGR piping and installed block off plates. We've also removed the two butterfly plates in the throttle body, and the various vacuum switches and actuators. This gives the motor all the air it could want, and keeps the intake manifold from getting coked up with soot. There are some great LJ78 build threads here that show how this is done with pictures.

I sort of doubt that this is what is causing your problem though. Most likely it's air getting into the fuel lines, or your glow system not working right.

Testing the glow system is easy. When the engine is cold (first thing in the morning), use a volt meter to measure the voltage on the glow rail. Have an assistant turn the key to the 'on' position. You should measure 11V for about 7 seconds. This should then decrease to 6V for another 30sec-1minute or so. If this is not happening, let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. You should hear the first relay open after the 7seconds. Normally this is when you should start your engine (don't go by the little glow light in the vehicle - it doesn't stay on the right amount of time)!

Eliminating air in the lines is a matter of checking all the rubber fuel lines, and putting new hose clamps on the ends. I also recommend completely swapping out the fuel primer. If it's original, it's probably leaking. The Ebay knock off ones are cheap and work fine. Finally, check the torque on the fuel return rail (bolts onto the injectors). Also the little hose that connects it back to the injection pump. I've had leaks at one time or another in ALL of these spots.

 

[Rosters]

I do recommend just removing the whole system. Many of us have removed all the EGR piping and installed block off plates. We've also removed the two butterfly plates in the throttle body, and the various vacuum switches and actuators. This gives the motor all the air it could want, and keeps the intake manifold from getting coked up with soot. There are some great LJ78 build threads here that show how this is done with pictures.

I sort of doubt that this is what is causing your problem though. Most likely it's air getting into the fuel lines, or your glow system not working right.

Testing the glow system is easy. When the engine is cold (first thing in the morning), use a volt meter to measure the voltage on the glow rail. Have an assistant turn the key to the 'on' position. You should measure 11V for about 7 seconds. This should then decrease to 6V for another 30sec-1minute or so. If this is not happening, let me know and I can help you troubleshoot. You should hear the first relay open after the 7seconds. Normally this is when you should start your engine (don't go by the little glow light in the vehicle - it doesn't stay on the right amount of time)!

Eliminating air in the lines is a matter of checking all the rubber fuel lines, and putting new hose clamps on the ends. I also recommend completely swapping out the fuel primer. If it's original, it's probably leaking. The Ebay knock off ones are cheap and work fine. Finally, check the torque on the fuel return rail (bolts onto the injectors). Also the little hose that connects it back to the injection pump. I've had leaks at one time or another in ALL of these spots.

 

[Rosters]

did the EGR bypass and removed butterflies. no change in smoke problem. Now looking again at the rebuilt fuel pump. attached is a recent cold start video.
thanks

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

That poor thing!!

OK, first off, did you test your glow system as I recommended in my previous posts? This is free and easy to do.

Second thing, please try pulling the ECU error codes. You will get an error if the injection pump or electronic controlled diesel system has a problem.

I'm sort of doubtful your injection pump is the issue if the vehicle runs perfectly once warm.

I've seen at least a dozen people with these vehicles rebuild the injection pump and injectors, and they STILL have the original problem. Throwing money at it is not always the answer.

 

[Canarias]

Transparent fuel line from the filter to the injection pump helps see if there is air where there shouldn't be

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thats not black smoke. That is either faulty glowplug smoke or low compression smoke. Its coming from one cylinder by the looks of it. You can see it puffing as that cylinder tries to fire.

 

[Rosters]

That poor thing!!

OK, first off, did you test your glow system as I recommended in my previous posts? This is free and easy to do.

Second thing, please try pulling the ECU error codes. You will get an error if the injection pump or electronic controlled diesel system has a problem.

I'm sort of doubtful your injection pump is the issue if the vehicle runs perfectly once warm.

I've seen at least a dozen people with these vehicles rebuild the injection pump and injectors, and they STILL have the original problem. Throwing money at it is not always the answer.

Yes I double checked the glow system. functional. Will look at the ECU error codes and post outcome.
thanks

 

[Rosters]

Thats not black smoke. That is either faulty glowplug smoke or low compression smoke. Its coming from one cylinder by the looks of it. You can see it puffing as that cylinder tries to fire.

sorry the video related to the black smoke was earlier in the repair process but after the pump rebuild. the attached video was after rebuilding injectors. glows were rechecked and functional. will look again at the cylinder issue and get back
thanks

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I have the same (only worse in terms of smoke quantity) issue with my 91 2LTE after changing out the diesel pump, plugs, and injectors

OK, there are a number of guys posting right now with 2LTE/2LT problems, and I'm getting the stories confused, LOL. Part of 'old age' and the busyness of this time of year.

Re-reading your first post, I just realized something. Did your smoke problem start AFTER you did all the work on your engine? Or did you do all the work to try to stop a smoke problem?

If the smoke started AFTER the work, then we can approach this problem from a different angle. In this case the issue is most likely related to something done wrong.

In either case, pulling the ECU codes is a good idea. Here is a little tech note on how to do it (from the Hilux Surf AU Tech site): https://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/downloads/DiagnositcTroubleCodesandPossibleCauses.doc

 

[Rosters]

OK, there are a number of guys posting right now with 2LTE/2LT problems, and I'm getting the stories confused, LOL. Part of 'old age' and the busyness of this time of year.

Re-reading your first post, I just realized something. Did your smoke problem start AFTER you did all the work on your engine? Or did you do all the work to try to stop a smoke problem?

If the smoke started AFTER the work, then we can approach this problem from a different angle. In this case the issue is most likely related to something done wrong.

In either case, pulling the ECU codes is a good idea. Here is a little tech note on how to do it (from the Hilux Surf AU Tech site): https://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/downloads/DiagnositcTroubleCodesandPossibleCauses.doc

Got it. thanks for going to the trouble. will get back to you

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Got it. thanks for going to the trouble. will get back to you

So did the smoke start AFTER you had all the work done?

 

[Rosters]

So did the smoke start AFTER you had all the work done?

no, it predated the work but at one point after the pump rebuild, timing check, new fuel lines and rebuilt injectors, the smoke was dramatically reduced (at cold start) for a couple of days, only to come back in full force without any further work. will post a video of earlier smoke when I get a chance. This is why I am still thinking fuel delivery as opposed to pure compression issues.

 

[Rosters]

no, it predated the work but at one point after the pump rebuild, timing check, new fuel lines and rebuilt injectors, the smoke was dramatically reduced (at cold start) for a couple of days, only to come back in full force without any further work. will post a video of earlier smoke when I get a chance. This is why I am still thinking fuel delivery as opposed to pure compression issues.

Just to try and keep info chronological, the video with truck on trailer is the most current (after all of the work). The video below was after the fuel pump rebuild, timing, new fuel lines but before the new injectors . The video here is the one I was referring to above. Seems like the more work I do the worse it gets!


Thanks

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Watching that video does remind of times I've had lots of air in my fuel lines. The black smoke is because the computer is requesting maximum fuel trying to get the engine up to proper idle speed. Have you replace your fuel primer and checked all the clamps etc. on the fuel hoses in the engine bay? There are knock off fuel primers on Ebay that work great (bought one myself to fix a small leak I had).

 

[Rosters]

Watching that video does remind of times I've had lots of air in my fuel lines. The black smoke is because the computer is requesting maximum fuel trying to get the engine up to proper idle speed. Have you replace your fuel primer and checked all the clamps etc. on the fuel hoses in the engine bay? There are knock off fuel primers on Ebay that work great (bought one myself to fix a small leak I had).

did check all clamps and hoses. no issues. will look at the fuel primer. double checking wiring from ECM today. another item to be eliminated. hope ECM is not the problem though you would think it would be apparent in more than fuel delivery issues. Also lacking a manual for the truck to look at wiring set up, any ideas as to where I could source? I did get a partial from Max Ellery but it is multi vehicle and only details some aspects of the Prado

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

did check all clamps and hoses. no issues. will look at the fuel primer. double checking wiring from ECM today. another item to be eliminated. hope ECM is not the problem though you would think it would be apparent in more than fuel delivery issues. Also lacking a manual for the truck to look at wiring set up, any ideas as to where I could source? I did get a partial from Max Ellery but it is multi vehicle and only details some aspects of the Prado

I've posted these dozens of times. This time I'll just give a link to one of my previous posts. Here are all the manuals I've been able to find for our trucks: Builds - My build thread