Quote Originally Posted by whitehillbilly64 View Post
As for starting a Diesel, are glowing the plugs like a choke on the petrol ? Or does the system have a 'running rich to start' function on the pump ?
A diesel is compression ignition and pre warming the combustion chamber helps with initial starting when the engine is cold.
Direct injection can be started without glowplugs typically but an indirect injection diesel requires use of the glowplugs.

My Isuzu powered Series III requires use of glowplugs even on a hot day, on a cold day by pushing the 'pull to stop' control it alters the pump setting which also helps.
My Defender can be started easily without using the glowplugs, even in the cold weather in the High Country.
We have two TDV6 Territory's and they prefer the use of glowplugs. Start immediately after using the glowplugs, quite a few revolutions before it will start without and it then emits unburnt diesel for a few seconds. So the glowplugs save wear & tear on the starter motor & battery, SWMBO still doesn't quite get this so her Terri is cranked over multiple times and leaves in a cloud of white smoke !

It's a bit like starting your lawnmower or whipper snipper. Once you've worked out a starting technique it's straightforward.


Colin