LJ78 starting issues

[quanger]

Hi. I just picked up a 91 LJ78 and I am having a starting issue with it. It is quite difficult to start my car. It has the 2.4L Turbo diesel motor. I live in north of Toronto so our temp drops quite a bit in the winter. My problem is this:

1. My truck is very difficult to start (sitting out for a while). I try to crank and crank and eventually it will catch on with difficulty. I am assuming my glow plugs are weak so I have a set of 4 new ones coming from Austrailia (what is the resistance of a normal glowplug? 1ohm?). There is a little throttle knob on the dash by the right ft of the driver...does it pull out? I understand that it should pull out opening the throttle wider and allowing for an easier start. Mine seems jammed...i cant pull it out at all. I can turn the knob left or right but it doesnt do anything.

2. After I get it to start, I will be off driving for a few minutes. Once I shut the motor off and try to restart it in 30min, it won't start (keeps turning). The second time around it will start fine. Im quite puzzled about this one as it is not a glowplug related issue.

I guess once I get these problems sorted out, I will look into installing a pyrometer and EGT since the 2LTE is proned to overheat at the head.

Thanks ahead for the help!

 

[Tebo]

Hey there! Welcome to Mud, congrats on the Lj78! Hope you like it - I love mine, but be nice to it or you will be joining the rest of the club!
First of all, get a lower rad hose heater and keep it plugged in (I generally plug in anytime its cooler than -10, just to be nice to it!)
Next, get some Power Service diesel additive (for cold starts) from crappy tire.
Next, check out you throttle cable (mine was a bit loose). Once you tighten that up a bit turning that knob (throttle adjustment- sota like a choke) clockwise and it will up the revs.
Not too sure about the starting problem, I would try some injector cleaner, also I tend to cycle the glow plugs two or three times when its cold and that helps for an easier start as well. (Give the gas a little pump too when your cranking and see if that helps...)

Hope that helps!

Also, make sure you get your Rad flushed at least right away and I would recommend having it re-cored ASAP as well to keep the engine as cool as possible.

T

 

[Squash]

x2 On the block/hose heater

Your diesel is fuel injected, do not use the knob until she has started, the knob opens the throttle and you may flood, better off feathering the skinny pedal and then adjusting the knob while she warms up.

Sounds like you are losing prime(fuel pressure) hence the problem starting after she has sat for a while.
Check all fittings as even a slight leak will make hell when cold.

Oh course check the glow plugs.

 

[quanger]

I wont even bother checking the glowplugs as I have a new set on the way. I am still unsure about the throttle knob...not sure how that work. it doesnt do anything if turned.
the block/host heater I will definately look into although there arent many places I can use it at other than my own home.

I will check with the fuel pressure later next week. In terms of leak, do you mean fuel leak in the fittings? is there a way to check fuel pressure with a vacuum?