Winter Starting (Diesel)

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C

cruiserchris

Joined
Oct 21, 2009
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Location
White Rock
As well as being new to the Toyota Land Cruiser community,
I'm also new to the world of diesels. Today I had my rig plugged in all day (8-430) and when I went to start it she just wouldn't go.

My question is, are these old diesels that difficult in the winter? I have a feeling that maybe it wasn't plugged in well (I've suspected that cord for years of being poor) so I switched out the cord and will try it again in the morning.

I've checked the battery and it's fine, I recently changed the oil to 10w40 and also replaced the filter. The only other thing I can think of is replacing the fuel filter and making sure that the block heater is operating properly. Any other suggestions? I've also been thinking about installing a circulating block heater. Anyone have experience with them? And battery blankets?
 
Forgot to mention - we re-wired the glow plug relay and also checked out all the plugs, so I don't think my problem is there.
 
I suspect your cord sucks. If you have it plugged in it should start up no problem. I like the cords with the light on the end, that way you know for sure it is working.

Depending on how good your batteries are you should have been able to get it started today without it being plugged in. That assumes, of course, that your pre-heat system is working properly.

I don't have any electrical outlets available to me at work and my work truck (2002 Dodge w/ Cummins) fired up without any drama...
 
Well batteries are the biggest culprits with hard starting in the cold. A diesel motor demands stronger batteries due to the need to glow the plugs for a few cycles. A battery blanket will warm the batteries so the battery will perform at its maximum or near maximum Cold Cramping Amperage (CCA). It's also important to consider if the batteries are still good and able to hold a charge, a load test of them will reveal this. How did you check the batteries? Did you get a volt meter test on them?

You may want to choose to run a semi-synthetic blend of oil for the cold temperatures here in Alberta. A common winter oil of 15W40 semi-synthetic works well with other Toyota diesels in the Edmonton area.

Also you need to know if your Glow System is up to snuff. Do you have a glow timer that requires you to turn back the key? Or do you have one of those Wilson switches that allow you to hold down glow for any amount of time? Your glow plugs may also be old and may need replacing... the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for a 3B has a section on how to test the plugs.

A circulating block heater usually isn't provided with overseas Diesel motors. I am not aware if it is possible to install one, without doing some other dismantling to the motor...perhaps someone can chime in on this. But a lower rad hose circulating heater may be enough for your needs in the meantime. Also an oil pan heater is a good choice.

Just a few ideas to consider.

Cheers,

karol
 
Kroll said:
It's also important to consider if the batteries are still good and able to hold a charge, a load test of them will reveal this. How did you check the batteries? Did you get a volt meter test on them?

.....

Also you need to know if your Glow System is up to snuff. Do you have a glow timer that requires you to turn back the key? Or do you have one of those Wilson switches that allow you to hold down glow for any amount of time? Your glow plugs may also be old and may need replacing... the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for a 3B has a section on how to test the plugs.


karol
Click to expand...

I tested the battery with a volt meter, but not a load test. If I can't get it started in the AM I'll pull the battery and test it again. At this piont I'm really hoping it was just the cord.

The glow system requires me to turn the key backwards, and when I bought the truck the glow plug relay wasn't operating. I fixed that and the plugs were working well. I really think it's the battery/cord at this point just because the engine wasn't turning fast enough. Either that or it's a combination of things.

Appreciate the help and tips. Will definitely look at the battery blanket and synthetic oil blend.
 
on mine, i've got a lower rad hose heater and two battery blankets. so far, it's started fine every day. I highly recommend this set up.

I also happen to have two extra battery blankets (from my wifes hilux, i couldn't get them in) that i could sell to you super cheap. i think i saw them for sale at canadian tire for 15 bucks for one. i'll give you my two (still in the package) for twenty.
 
Sounds like a deal on the battery blankets, but I've only got one battery. Are you double wrapping yours, or have you got two installed?

A new battery, it appears, is also on my horizon. Tried her again this morning and barely turned the starter. Anyone know where the best deals are?
 
my 60 started late yesterday afternoon with about 4 attempts...i think it needs new injectors.i use full synthetic,and it has fairly new batteries.the factory block heater in the 2h is dead,so i installed an inline on sunday...havn't had a chance to try it plugged in yet.

turns over rapidly.the synthetic really helps on cold starts...i switch over all my vehicles in winter,and,despite the expense,don't regret it for a second.

for battery's i usually go to rocky's battery.6015-86 street...drive in service too.avoid can' tire...every battery iv'e bought from them never seems to last more than 2 months...i still have 2 off rockys in my m-1010,and there still good after 4 years.
 
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Also ensure all ground / battery posts are clean and free from any contaminants. You'd be surprised how much power is lost with poor grounds or cables that aren't in good order.
It's good practice to put some petroleum jelly on battery posts too.
 
Problem solved with a new battery. Glad it wasn't the block heater.

Jammer - thanks for the offer on the blankets, but my old man had one in his shop that we put on.
 
hey jammer, u still got those blankets? i might be interested....im (hopefully) going to be winterizing a island BJ60 over the x-mas break...

somebody had mentioned a circ block heater, you can put them in, i put one into my BJ42 before i came out here but never got to use the bloody thing...theres $100 well spent...anyways, i just put it inline with my heating system, leave your heater on when you plug the block heater in and it will circulate through the engine and u will have heat right away as well
 
yep, still got them. i'm on the north side kinda close to you. p.m me if you want to meet up and get them.:)
 
ill give you a shout after x-mas if you still have them, not 100% sure that i have the truck yet, had gotten screwed on 2 deals for trucks already so....im just gunna wait till i actually drive it out before i go buying something for it, but hopefully ill be in touch
 
yotawheeler said:
ill give you a shout after x-mas if you still have them, not 100% sure that i have the truck yet, had gotten screwed on 2 deals for trucks already so....im just gunna wait till i actually drive it out before i go buying something for it, but hopefully ill be in touch
Click to expand...

sounds good.
 
new and clueless

Hope this thread is not too old - didn't want to start up a new thread on an already covered topic - just want some more specific ideas/thoughts on my situation.
Situation: Got an Australian '79 BJ40, had it a little over a year. Love it. Awesome. Unstoppable. And in the wintertime, unstartable. I live in Whiteriver, AZ (yes it does get cold in AZ - I'm in the mountains about 5200 ft - average lows in 20's F Nov-Feb), bought the truck in Portland OR. When it's warm it starts right up, no problem. Right now though it takes a good 15 minutes to start. I glow plug it (turn the key back, glow plug controller heats up) for about 20 seconds, choke it, turn the key, it either doesn't turn over or does and runs for about 20 seconds like the cylinders are misfiring (coughing, sputtering, clouds of smoke) then dies. Repeat process 12-15 times before it finally starts. Get some black smoke (turns the snow black) and clouds of grey smoke during the starting process then a bunch of blue-white smoke once it finally starts, but none when warmed up and running.
What I want to know is - stupid question probably - is this normal? I'm thinking no... but I am new to diesels and am told they are hard to start in winter and put out smoke. Seems like this is putting a lot of wear on my battery, starter, & glow plugs.
Recent related changes - new starter from SOR, new battery (was spinning out when starting or had a delay or no response when turning the key - fixed). Was told the glow plugs were new when I got it.
I've gotten some ideas about things to do with it from here - lighter weight synthetic oil, wilson switch, block heater (though won't help if not by an outlet), battery warmer, etc... but should I be needing these measures here? It's not Alaska. And if it is mechanical/fuel injection timing/etc don't want to spend a bunch of money on accessories when I should be fixing it. I am going to read up on testing the glow plugs and change the oil to synthetic. What other directions should I head into next? It'll warm up soon enough but I want to get this thing dialed before next winter.
Thanks for any help y'all can provide.
 
Mel,

You've chosen a specific club corner to add you post to. You may get some advice here, but you'll get much more traffic if you post up in the diesel and 24v section of tech. :cheers:
 
there is a timer on the fuel control relay, if it doesn't make oil pressure in 5-10 seconds it shuts itself down.
don't want to be a rainy day but you might want to check your oil pressure before doing any amount of driving.
to put it into perspective, when it is -20C.(about -5F.) my bj42 might do this once.
your engine oil might be too heavy, try synthetic. but seriously check your oil pressure. an oil pump is way less expensive than another engine. also a blockage in the oil galleries can restrict oil pressure from acting on the sensor.
curtis is definately right, post on the main page.
:cheers:
also a compression check is easy and will tell alot about your engine.
 
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