TD5 Glow Plugs

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Originally Posted by nismine01

I guess it gets as cold at my place in winter.

The reason for the smoother running from start is that (on others at least) the glow plugs stay on for a short while after start up.

It does sound as though you have an injector problem though, are you 'making oil'? A leaking injector or faulty injector seal could be causing the white smoke which is simply unburnt diesel.

Mine starts instantly, I've never known a motor to start with such ease.

Regards

Mike

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In the two services I've now given it, it doesn't 'use' oil.
(only the stupid leak I generated in not changing the main seal when I did the timing belt a few months back now.)

The owner I bought it off, said he did a lot of work to it in the previous few months prior to selling it. He was from the Warbuton area, which is similar to Adelaide Hills .. very frosty mornings and nights.
When I went to see it one night, it was very cold motor felt stone cold to touch, so confident it hadn't been 'warmed' prior to me checking it out, and it started instantly then too .. so the glow plug problem was one that developed over the year I've now had it.

But the oil on the #4 glow plug freaked me out a little.
I'm thinking a leaking valve seal ???

Ditto on the much better idle immediately after start now being due to new plugs.
It's the only explanation, as it's the only thing I've done.
I reckon it must have been 5° or less this morning, and it's the first time since last year that I've had it 'immediately' start like that.
Barely half a sec of glow plug wait time, but burst to life and idled with no input on the pedal .. yay!

I'll probably have some time to do the injectors weekend after next I hope.
If I can remember too .. locate a facet pump to remove the lift pump at the same time .. hope to find a blanking plate at the same time.

Actually, this post just reminded me to find my compression testing kit to see if I have an adapter to suit. If the injectors are coming off, never hurts to record compression values I guess.

If you don't have the injector adaptor (and I have the Pykes Sykevant (sp?) one which needs a different gauge set up, no schrader valve in adaptor) then you could consider a relative compression test with a measured value for cylinder 1.
You monitor the current during turn over and get a sync pulse for injector 1 to tell which current spike is which. You can then figure out the other compression values. Though if you get a relative test and they are all the same(ish) and you like the value from no 1 you don't need to do the math.

Of course you need a AC/DC current clamp and oscilloscope for that test, so it's not like that doesn't need some kit :)

The glow plugs on the Td5 are not only for starting, they have a so called "post heat operation" which comes into play after the engine was started regardless of the warning and can last even few minutes if it's cold outside untill the ECT input is 20*C and that helps combustion after cold start... they are important no matter of climate IMO

I did a bit of a test tonight.(inadvertently)
Got to the D1 after work, and had to put some stuff in the back seat.
So unlocked it, key in ignition, set to position II(glow plugs on, and out after the timer cuts out(as per normal).
But instead of starting, I'm putting stuff in the back, so I've delayed the start by about 15-20sec or so.
By this time the glow plug light is out for about 15-20 sec.
No instant start.
Ignition off, back on, wait till the plug light goes out .. instant start, but this time minimal throttle required for a smooth idle.

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Originally Posted by AK83

In the two services I've now given it, it doesn't 'use' oil.
(only the stupid leak I generated in not changing the main seal when I did the timing belt a few months back now.)

The owner I bought it off, said he did a lot of work to it in the previous few months prior to selling it. He was from the Warbuton area, which is similar to Adelaide Hills .. very frosty mornings and nights.
When I went to see it one night, it was very cold motor felt stone cold to touch, so confident it hadn't been 'warmed' prior to me checking it out, and it started instantly then too .. so the glow plug problem was one that developed over the year I've now had it.

But the oil on the #4 glow plug freaked me out a little.
I'm thinking a leaking valve seal ???

Ditto on the much better idle immediately after start now being due to new plugs.
It's the only explanation, as it's the only thing I've done.
I reckon it must have been 5° or less this morning, and it's the first time since last year that I've had it 'immediately' start like that.
Barely half a sec of glow plug wait time, but burst to life and idled with no input on the pedal .. yay!

I'll probably have some time to do the injectors weekend after next I hope.
If I can remember too .. locate a facet pump to remove the lift pump at the same time .. hope to find a blanking plate at the same time.

Actually, this post just reminded me to find my compression testing kit to see if I have an adapter to suit. If the injectors are coming off, never hurts to record compression values I guess.

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Mostly that makes sense, but I'm tipping that you have never been to Warburton, if you think it equates to the Adelaide Hills.

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Originally Posted by johntins

Mostly that makes sense, but I'm tipping that you have never been to Warburton, if you think it equates to the Adelaide Hills.

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Most of the town of Warburton lies in a valley inside the 200m contour, much like many parts of the Adelaide hills. The hill tops are another matter. [bigsmile1]

Greg at AMV told me that my glow plugs weren't working but said in Oz we don't need them anyway. Actually told me that 90% of Td5's have faulty glow plugs. In our climate they are not required