Andrew replied:

Get another mechanic that is capable and not scared of current technology..

Darryl replied:

Dont dispair , That diesel mechanic has not probably the equipment , engine manual , and the know how .Go back to basics !
No 1 The right oil depending on climate 10 w 40 --- 5w 50
No 2 Service the secondry oil filter for the injecter system
No 3 Service the injector high pressure rail fuel filter (very fine micron )
The holden dealer should have checked the computer system for correct operation , and the throttle body assembly for correct position on start up to allow the right air /fuel mixture .
The oil component is very important depending on how cold an area you live , the colder the thinner it has to be .
Get a good mechanic who is willing to learn about these new engines that all manufacturers are going to as has Mitsubishi just done with the new diesel engine.
I have a 2000 model td and extremely happy with power and economy as well as the all round comfort and ability of the jack.
Good luck
Darryl

Gerald replied:

Does your vehicle have dual batteries? I think the 1998 diesels came out with a single battery but Holden introduced dual batteries as standard soon after the model was released to deal with starting problems.

Gerald.

Darian replied:

Previous post shifted forward to here.....dp
Have made up a page to share with Jack owners, re oil choices for the new tech 3.0 diesel. Feedback here welcomed....is here
or manual: http://dmitafe.com/~darian/jackoils. Is Castrol only for now, and no....I have no connection with them.....feedback on other products could be added.... Cheerz.

Jan replied:

We have exactly the same vehicle as yours Spencer. We bought it new only a couple of months after they were released, and it didn't have the dual battery setup, which is now standard. We belong to the Jackaroo 4WD Club in Victoria, and they had a guest speaker from Holden last year who explained the testing they had done to try to solve the 'hard to start when cold' problem. They hired a refrigerated container, put a Jackaroo in it, and tested it with different oils. They discovered fairly clearly that the type of oil used has an enormous influence, and it takes several changes of oil to eliminate the problem. We didn't have a major problem with starting our vehicle while cold, though it did sometimes need about seven or eight seconds of cranking to get going (which Holden says is OK). But since we changed to the recommended oil and installed a dual battery, the problem has disappeared and you don't need to crank it any longer than any other vehicle to get it going now. If you want to get advice from other Jackaroo owners, consider joining one of the Jackaroo Clubs in Vic, NSW or SA. The website for the Vic club is: www.jackaroo4wdclub.org.au Don't give up on the 1998 TD Jackaroo. We think it's a good, tough vehicle, and we have had no problems at all with it in four years of ownership and lots of outback travel towing a camper trailer.

Jan replied:

The oil recommended by the Holden/Izusu test engineers was Castrol GTX Magnatec 10W - 40, which works for us. Prior to this, we were using a 15W - 40 oil, which sometimes caused starting problems on cold mornings.

mark replied:

too slow and too smellybleepit off
buy a petrol

Damien replied:

Interesting but completely useless comment Mark. I suppose you are an expert on the issue are you.
Too slow you say, compared to what?? The 3.0L T/D Jackaroo will put a lot of 6 cylinder petrol driven vehicles to shame.
Too smelly you say, guess you haven't seen many of the new technology direct injection Diesels like Jackaroo, Patrol & Pajero have you - no thought not.

david replied:

Had the same problems starting as many Jackaroo owners . Izuzu dealer in Wollongong fitted a revised injector o-ring kit supplied by Salmat at no cost . I assume Holden picked up the cost as part of a recall. I have had no problems starting since.

Spencer replied:

Too many things went wrong with vehicle in the 2 monthes we owmed it.Injector seals,oil pick up pump,glow plugs,injector,wiring harness,throttle contol valve sensor.We took the least painful option and sold it,looking at a new base model manual petrol.