2L-TE winter morning start(knocking,missing)

[baja9007]

hello there
my 1993 prado is with me from the past 7 years but i face 1 issue every year in winters that is the starting problem needs 2 or 3 heating up rounds and as it starts create a lot of knocking sound and a gray,whitish smoke and a lot of shivering from the engine...continues for not more than 30 secs.
previously i had checked it from my mechanic and as always he says it need another fuel pump(but ti am not in-trusted in changing this time as the new one is always worse than my old 1)...i have also repaired it more than 3 times & changed it twice but still the problem is there.
starts ok in summers
any idea or suggestions
Regards
Ajab khan

 

[crushers]

manual glow sure helps ...

 

[crushers]

we have found that between 5C and -10C the glow system control REALLY sucks ...

 

[baja9007]

crushers is always there to help you...love you crushers!!
what is the manual glow system please guide me give me some knowledge
at the end of this month we will be having snow here and the temp drops to -7 n some thing like this..so a big problem is ahead....

 

[baja9007]

we have found that between 5C and -10C the glow system control REALLY sucks ...

hmm..so there is nothing wrong with the fuel pump
whats the next step...should i change the glow system control.?

 

[crushers]

do a search on manual glow system or wilson switch...

 

[wesintl]

Do you have provisions to plug it in (block heater)?

 

[baja9007]

Do you have provisions to plug it in (block heater)?

well heard it for the first time...googled it & they are quite handy though and do the 2lte have block heaters??

 

[markhc]

I recommend you install oil pan heater and a RAD hose heater.
I plug the heaters into a timer at night. The timer turns the heaters on 4 hours before I leave for work.

It's important that if you have 11VDC rated glow plugs installed, you manually plug them for atleast 15 seconds. (It takes about 12 seconds for them to get red hot).

In the freezing mornings, I manually plug the glows for 15 seconds, let go of switch for 5 seconds, plug again for 15 seconds and the truck starts everytime. A tiny bit of puttering and shuttering but not nearly as bad as if I try to start it without the heaters and the manual glow plugs. I little pump on the gas pedal doesn't hurt when you attempt to turn the engine over.

Good luck,

I did a write up how to properly do a manual glow plug install on the LJ78.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/490969-lj78-glow-plug-wilson-switch-guide.html

 

[crushers]

just to add a suggestion:
when you change out the glow plugs make sure you still the plug in a vice or hold it with a pair of pliers (where you normally put the wrench on it) and ground the same spot then apply 12V feed to the threaded tip and count the seconds till it is red hot. this is now the duration you hold the momentary switch on for.

there is no block heater for the 2LTE and i recommend the lower rad hose heater. if it is getting to a low of -7C then that will be more than adaquate but in all seriousness once you have the manual glow installed you will not need a heater for those temps...

 

[hybric4x4diesel]

hi, factory heating system are normally good if every component is working properly,mine i tested out to -25 c in calgary last winter without any plug in for heating oil & coolant.but i run 5w/30. so i would surgest that you do a simple check,eg, any power on the glow plug when switch to ingition on ?first relay is time for at lease 3-4 sec (12v) & wait for another second click,second relay (6v) for another 3-4 sec before cranking our the engine. if it runs rough, then check the glow plugs to see any one or more are toast. if they are then used the factory glow plugs. try the above mention method first before planing other move.
cheers good luck

 

[Gun Runner 5]

My 1990 LJ78 had the exact same issue however the problem only occurred on the first warm-up and never on follow up warm-ups.
The issue was very intermittent even though the ambient temperature would be the same for consecutive days. Go figure......1978HJ45

 

[Rion]

Hello everyone, I just joined this site because every google search I do on info for my 90' lj78 im brought here and end up reading multiple posts that are very informative. So my big question is for you mechanically inclined ones. Im here reading about winterizing my prado because this morning I had a very hard time starting my LC (-20c), it will turn over okay for being cold but will continue to turn over for like 5 mins before 1 or 2 pistons are at least trying to get going, and then more cranking before it barely will stay started. This happens inconsistantly at varying cold weather temp. Even left it in a heated shop over night and still took abnormally long to start. Any ideas because im in the middle of a love hate relationship with our baby and I need it to work before I do something I regret.

 

[baja9007]

love you all many many thanks for this input...for sure i will try any of the above facts with my LJ.....

 

[crushers]

it is the computor that is the issue, between +5c and -10c that piece of crap does not allow long enough glow cycle. once below -10c it seems to smarten up and allow longer glow.

some guys disconnected the temp sensor for the glow cycle with good results, me, i never had the same results so i went to manual glow and lower rad hose heater. with this setup you can start to -35c (coldest it got in Calgary while i owner a 78) with no issues. the nice thing about the manual glow you can re-engage the glow after it is started for a few seconds at a time.

 

[Rion]

Ive read the posts that have been put up about the manual glow set up, ill have to look into the rad hose heater, thanks for the info

 

[northernrighty]

This must not be an issue with a 1HD-T because mine starts with one glow cycle, tested to -40C(no joke, it gets REALLY cold here). I think I posted a vid in the diesel section.

 

[crushers]

the HDT, PZ and HZ are great for winter starts, agree completely...