LJ78 startup issues (1 Viewer)

[NWONTARIO]

Hello everyone, I'm a brand newb to the site here chock full of ignorance, but I want to learn, so please bear with me...
I recently purchased a 1991 LJ78 with 195, xxxkm out of Winnipeg. The truck seems in very good condition with no rust or other signs of abuse, but I do have some concerns.

1. Slow/ Uncomfortable highway travel.
I have had no problems with overheating, but noticed right away that the rpm's seemed high (around 2800) cruising home at 100km/h. Is this normal with a diesel engine, or more specifically the 2LT-TE? I have no problem with this as long as it's alright for the engine, but if there was any way to make it cruise at high speeds more comfortably I would definitely try it out.

2.Starup Issues
At first I had no problem, but as the temp. dropped outside I have been having a hard time to get the vehicle to start, having to feed it some throttle and hold it around 1100 rpm (with a thick cloud of black exhaust) for about 10 seconds before the vehicle idles normally. I have had the battery die on me three or four times, but I charged it up and it took off fine. I went to start it this morning and the engine wouldn't even turn over. The starter is engaging fine, but all I get is a loud clunk and then nothing. Tried tapping on the starter and boosting the vehicle to no avail.

What kind of battery have people had success with in these things? Also, I want to install an oil pan or block heater to take some strain off cold starts. What's the best way to go? Any advice with these or any other problems associated with the 2LT-TE would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rowen in Ontario

 

[simonliew]

Hi Rowen,
is the truck auto or 5 speed,l am not sure about the diff gearing,l think the one of them has lower gearing.What size tires yo uhave?
The hard start and having to give it throttle and the black smoke sounds like glow plugs to me.
The loud clank doesn't sound too good to me,l had a surf in my shop here 3 weeks ago,it was overheating,the guy towed it here,sit overnite,l went to start it in the morning,loud clank then nothing,took the golw plugs out,coolant shoot out from the hole,cracked head.
but you said yours wasn't overheating,l hope you can get it started'otherwise take the glowplugs out and see it will crankover.
Any 900 CCA batteries will do,l use interstate batteries.
l use lower rad hose heater or oilpan stickon heater
Simon
TLC import connection
Winnipeg
who did oyu buy the truck from?

 

[NWONTARIO]

It's an automatic and I have the 235/75/15's that came on it. I was thinking of going bigger, but didn't know whether or not that was a good idea because I hear these trucks are underpowered?? New glowplugs were installed the day I picked it up, so I was told. I bought the truck from Adriana and Peter Lubas in West St. Paul and have contacted them to see if they have had any of these problems before.

 

[grease_guzzler]

Congrats on the new ride!! The high rpm sounds a bit like its not going into overdrive...the lower end of the 2000 range seems like where it should be at 100km/h. And once you get sort out the startup/clunking noise issue, do everything possible to make sure that she doesn't overheat. A full set of gauges especially a pyrometer to actually see how hot she's running and ensure the cooling system is in good working order and turn up the boost and get a bigger exhaust to let the engine breathe better. The 2lte engine will go quite nicely, but you have to take care of it

 

[NWONTARIO]

My initial reaction was that it wasn't going into OD as well, but that doesn't seem to be the issue. Would it be geared that low?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Would it be geared that low?

Yes ,they are geared low and probably one of many reasons why they were not sold new in North America and didnt last long in Australia.

They really shine at bumping along a jungle road with a full load,rather than high speed freeways.
You never hear anyone from SE Asia or Africa complaining about the top speed.

 

[NWONTARIO]

Well I can live with the low top speed, but I still can't get it started at the moment.

 

[Phil in BC]

I installed a lower rad hose heater in my 74 and it works like a charm. No troubles starting the truck in -20 when plugged in. Without the heater, not so good. Good luck with your starting issues, I cant help you there. Welcome to MUD

 

[Squash]

Hopefully your not hydro locked???
How is the radiator level?
Overfow?

Can you turn the engine manually...
Pull the starter...

Pull the glow plugs, this will allow compression the escape.
Good luck

 

[simonliew]

remove the glowplugs and try cranking it.
Simon

 

[motorcoach123]

It's an automatic and I have the 235/75/15's that came on it.

Hey Rowan
Congrats on entering the Landcruiser world! I noticed you said you had 15 inch tires .....my '90 Prado has 16'', as do most that I've seen around here. You might want to recheck them.
2800 rpm is definitely high at 100kph, depending on tire size.
I am running an Odyssey battery in my rig, great battery! Odyssey Canada - odyssey battery Canada, odyssey batteries, odyssey battery
How about some pics after you get these little things sorted out??

Gord

 

[NWONTARIO]

I got the cruiser into the shop and we have figured out the problem is with the solenoid. Took the starter all apart and cleaned up all electrical contacts. It is starting for now, but my mechanic (who happens to be my uncle) told me it is probably just a temporary fix. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a solenoid repair kit or anything of that nature. I will be ordering a new alternator belt and some other things as well. Where's the best source in Canada for these JDM's??

I will get some pics up once I have her looking the way I want with a brush bar, safari rack, more aggressive tires...possibly a slight lift..etc.

Thanks again everyone. I'm extremely happy that I found this forum.

 

[simonliew]

Hi,
you mean the two contacts in the solinoid,you can buy them at any starter repair shop.
l am an ARB dealer if you need liftkit,roofrack,bumper.
Simon
TLC winnipeg
There is a guy with a HJ61 in redlake and a couple with two Hilux surfs at Eagle lake near you.

 

[crushers]

first, sad news. there is many other places to stick the money LONG before you go after cosmetic do dads.
get a pyro installed IMEDIATELY
get a larger exhaust installed to get rid of the exhaust heat
get a larger rad installed IMEDIATELY
get the EGR block off plates made and installed
increase the boost and leave the fuel alone, decrease the EGTs

you are driving a time bomb engine and failure to do the above will leave you stranded ... and not in your driveway.
i have seen the results first hand. when the head blows (and no, it will not be a head gasket) you will be looking at $4000 in repairs and another $2000 in upgrades. most ignore the advice and later post up about hte damages.
if you do not like what i say, ignore.

do a search on LJ78/2LTE/2LT and do some research. the rest of the truck is bullet proof but the engine is not.

then, if you have not blown the head in a year and you still love the truck THEN start doing the mods you want.
(hint: i just picked up a 1991 LJ78, the lady bought it against the advice, sunk $6000 into the head and turbo and then the bottom end cratered. in just over a year she had $22,000 invested. she stuck it up for $6000 and i bought it for $3000.)
they DO NOT hold their value.
and unless you drive conservatively AND do the above suggestions they you will be heading down the same road as her (and many others on Mud here).

<i can not beleive no one made these suggestions before now>

 

[NWONTARIO]

That's quite the list of work....I planned to put a larger exhaust on an turn up the boost in the very near future, as well as the pyro. Where do I get a new rad and how big does it need to be? And I have no idea what EGT refers to (I have very little mechanical background)
Is it worth it to buy a whole new engine to swap into it? Is this possible/difficult? Where would I source one that is suitable?
I have read quite a bit about the 2LTE and I am aware of the overheating/ head problems. I didn't know this when I bought the truck, but I probably would have ignored it anyway because I HAD to have it. Now I am just left wondering what the best solution is for the long term. I do drive conservatively and I am willing to put some money into preventative measures, but I don't want a constant headache from it either. What do I do??

 

[crushers]

okay,
so i read this and i get the idea you are a bugger for punishment. "I HAD to have it"...

4 core recore the rad.

i am installing a PZ/R141 into a LJ78 as we speak. it is not cheap but it solves the engine issues. you can install a 3B, 13BT, 1HZ, 1PZ, HDT into the LJ and the limit is your budget.

there is no long term cure for the L series problem. what i would do, if i was you, would be to keep an eye out for an old mine truck, a BJ70, a PZJ70 or a wrecked 80 series to swap into the LJ when the engine dies. this way you are not paying top dollar for the swap parts. but IT STILL WILL NOT BE CHEAP.

do the suggestions and watch the EGTs (Exhaust gas tempertures), if you do you might get some decent time out of the engine.

my second suggestion is do NOT invest money into it for "fun" mods till after the above is completed.

but

it is your money, your truck and your time... so do as you please.

cheers and best of luck.

<i know i am coming across as an ass but i am tired of seeing so many people still buying these time bombs.>

<< for the money you are about to invest you could have bought a decent HDJ81 or a HD 70 series>>

 

[Radd Cruisers]

first, sad news. there is many other places to stick the money LONG before you go after cosmetic do dads.
get a pyro installed IMEDIATELY
get a larger exhaust installed to get rid of the exhaust heat
get a larger rad installed IMEDIATELY
get the EGR block off plates made and installed
increase the boost and leave the fuel alone, decrease the EGTs

[...]

<i can not beleive no one made these suggestions before now>

I'm with Wayne... I'm just tired of chasing this one around all the time...

~John

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

Why not investing in, say, a 13B-T, and kissing the 2L goodbye?

Just my opinion.







JuanJ

 

[simonliew]

Hi,
May be yo ushould just buy my HZJ77.
turbo inyercoolered,lifted,bumper,winch,runs on used cooking oil.
Simon
Winnipeg

 

[NWONTARIO]

Wayne, thanks for the advice. Considering the fact that the LJ was over my budget to begin with, I think my best bet is to put it up for sale. I thought I was buying a high quality, "bulletproof" vehicle that would run forever with proper maintenance. I am going to university right now and don't have money to do what this vehicle needs.
Simon, I am extremely jealous of the HZJ77. That is exactly what I want.
So.....anyone want to buy a Prado??