A couple of questions - glow plugs and low RPM power

[Markf]

Hi folks,
Since I went through the palava of getting the head replaced I've had a problem of hard starting when cold. I suspect that the glow plugs are not working. Before the head was replaced it used to start first or second piston up and idle smoothly at around 750 rpm from the get go. Now it sort of staggers into life after a few second's of cranking and belches a bit of black smoke until it settles down to an even idle. At this stage my guess is glow plugs not working. They appear to be plugged in OK so now I need to know which fuses(s) and relay(s) I need to look at. Of course out here a Hamilton Downs Youth Camp I don 't have a multi meter to test with (bummer).

Again, since having the head replaced I have a problem with low power at low revs when the engine's up to temp. Pre head change I could floor it at idle (first or second) and it would pull away smoothly if not rapidly. Now it kangaroo hops and carries on. Below about 1000 or 1200RPM it's now gutless even for a Td5. Waste gate actuator rod has 13 threads showing. I've tried bypassing the waste gate solenoid with no change to the issue at hand. AAP (airbox), MAF and MAP sensors are new (ish - about 3k km) and genuine.

Nanocom shows no faults and everything appears normal. Suggestions anybody ? Maybe a trip to Sutton's in Alice Springs is in my future ?

[discorevy]

a few possibilities if the problem was straight after the head was done
injector washers
injector bump clearance not set
cam timing out
injectors not replaced in the same cylinder/ or damaged when out.
what does cylinder balances show at idle ?

[Markf]

a few possibilities if the problem was straight after the head was done
injector washers
injector bump clearance not set
cam timing out
injectors not replaced in the same cylinder/ or damaged when out.
what does cylinder balances show at idle ?

Injector washers and O-rings were done not once but five times. There was a long and sorry saga of incompetence with the head change culminating in a new fuel pump, five sets of washers and O-rings, cam timing checking, new injector loom, new FPR, replacement injectors, etc, etc. In short, just about everything that I can think of was covered. Cylinder balance at cold idle are between -7 and +8 and when hot between -5 and +5.

I _think_ that I've got some peripheral issues. Glow plugs possibly not working and turbo / waste gate issues. I think it's important to note that the car goes well and has good power when warm and once over 2000RPM. Fuel and oil consumption are about what they were pre head change.

[PhilipA]

Hmm,
When mine needed washers and started badly the balance was around -5 to +5.
After washers they were all less than 2.
Mine starts down to about 0c ambient without the glow plug light illuminating on the first cylinder and has every time since washers.
BTW I think the glow plugs light up even without the light as my battery voltage goes down over 0.8volts ign on. ( or maybe my bulb has gone LOL)
I seem to remember a simple resistance check will tell if the glowplugs are OK. I am leaving sleeping dogs lie.

Black smoke would suggest over fuel ie washers and white smoke unburned ie glow plugs.

BUT there are a lot of possibilities considering what has been badly done.
I feel for you.
Regards Philip A

[sierrafery]

I need to know which fuses(s) and relay(s) I need to look at. Of course out here a Hamilton Downs Youth Camp I don 't have a multi meter to test with (bummer).



Fusible link FL2 and relay R6 engine bay fusebox, hard to check them without multimeter but when you'll get one unplug the glow plugs and check resistance across the terminal and head, it should be very close to 0.8 Ohm and you should get 12V on each lead when you turn ignition on

[Markf]

Fusible link FL2 and relay R6 engine bay fusebox, hard to check them without multimeter but when you'll get one unplug the glow plugs and check resistance across the terminal and head, it should be very close to 0.8 Ohm and you should get 12V on each lead when you turn ignition on

Thanks SF. Bridged R6 and it started first piston up from cold (0 deg C) and settled into a smooth idle very quickly. Sprayed some contact cleaner on the sockets and reseated it a few times and it seems as good as gold.