Hilux 3L 2.8turbo Wont start cold.then OK

Member - Barnray (NSW) replied:

Try changing the fuel filter, I have seen it to be the cause of hard starting. Barnray Thumbs UpThanks 0

Joshuah replied:

Hi BILL,

Well I thought glow plugs, but you've replaced those.

Just stating the obvious:
Are you getting enough air?

Is 10.4v on the low side? My Lux battery volts drop to 11.something, or so, but no lower. Tried charging battery right up or whacking in another to test?

Aside, on my HiLux, although the glow-plug dash light goes out, the needle on my voltmeter doesn't pop back to 12.7 or so for another 3-7 seconds after. I wait for that to happen before cranking. Gives best starting result.

Finally, my brother had an issue similar in his old Landcruiser (2H motor), revving after starting - after many days of prodding it was found to have a 'busted' (leather?) diagphram in fuel/ induction system. Lots of black soot out tail pipe.

Hope some of this is of use.

Joshua. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Ross M replied:

I know you said you have checked the glow plug voltage, but is the voltage at/touching the centre contact of each glowplug?
It may be on the feed BUS BAR but not supplying current to the glow plugs.

Does it crank ok? You didn't say.

Check the current flow to the glow plugs with a clamp tyrpe multimeter whcih can detect the degree of current flow. These two checks will prove if the glowplugs are ok and they are being fed.

The glow relay may have developed a resistance across its contacts. This will/may supply some voltage to the system but probably not enough to glow and light the compressed fuel spray.
If you have a faulty earth somewhere, when starting it may cause a resistance and the effective voltage to fuel pump solenoid might be not enough and then it will shut off the fuel. Won't happen when towed because the current/voltage supply will be around normal. Check ya erfs real good like.

Ross M Thumbs UpThanks 0

BILL replied:

Thanks for everyones advice and suggestions. Yesterday I changed the fuel filter housing. As the primer pump didnt work anyway and put a new fuel filter on the old girl. Well this morning it is cold enough to freeze them off a brass monkey. I hit the ingnition, waited for the glow light to go out , and success instant start. Whether it was a air leak or just a dirty filter dont know but seems to be fixed. Cheers Thumbs UpThanks 0