GU & I don't like what I see....
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:18
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Member - Cocka
The 3lt TD has been somewhat hard to start these past few months & I finally got some time to have a look. It's early '92 model with 83K on the clock (
young for an oiler)
I thought it may have been the glow plugs but the power supply tested OK, so I lifted off the intercooler etc to
test individual plugs. Here is what I have found without the need to remove the glowplugs...
The throttle box body which bolts to the inlet manifold splits from one large inlet apeture into 2 smaller outlets one of which is called the "air control actuator" (aca), the aca port is heavily coated with oil (or fuel) soaked sticky carbon deposit the other inlet port is clean.
This is all on the inlet side which should (IMhumbleO) only exhibit nice clean polished ports, and whilst this aca port is where the heaviest build up is, the intercooler and air pipes from the turbo all show a light oily coating without signs of carbon.
My first reaction is that I might be looking at a burnt out inlet valve which is strange as it usually is the outlets that are prone to burn, maybe some head distortion could be a cause.
Have we got a diesel expert on the panel with an opinion or diagnosis & possible remedy.
I'm just trying to think this through to make sure I get the best answer to what might be an expensive find.
Reply By: geocacher (djcache) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 23:22
Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 23:22
Against my better judgement I replaced a set of glow plugs at the start of winter chasing a hard to start problem. They all metered okay and I wasn't convinced but it was somewhere to start.
In the end there was a pinhole in the fuel line on the engine side of the fuel filter - near where the brass fitting on the heat exchanger for the shower had been rubbing on it under torque twist or vibration.... doh!
$100 worth of glow plugs later and a bit of $5 fuel line fixed the problem.
Must have been allowing fuel to bleed back toward the tank, and explained why it was harder to start the longer it had been off.
The diesel tech I spoke to here put me on the right track. He suggested priming the system using the pump on top of the filter - pump it til it goes hard - and then start it.
I did that and it started first kick like it used to. I could even see just by pressurising it where the fuel weep was. So I figured I was onto the problem before I turned the key - and I was right.
Now I have a perfectly good spare set of GP's.
Dave
AnswerID:
178364
Follow Up By: hl - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 06:54
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 06:54
Hi,
I think that is very likely. I had a similar problem where it would take a long time to start first time in the morning, but subsequent starts were normal. It turned out to be the little o-ring in the bottom of the fuel filter (water sensosr). It had cracked and let some fuel drain overnight (very little, actually) but that was enough to make it hard to start.
Cheers
FollowupID:
434554
Reply By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 18:23
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 18:23
PROGRESS UPDATE to enlighten those who have contributed valuable time to my concerns.
Time was a bit disorganised today with my wagon off the road and SWMBO claiming her (due) rights to the car. I was unable to find a tube spanner amongst my collection that would fit the glo plugs & the extended sockets were not quite long enough to reach the shoulders of the nuts to remove the plugs from their orifice.
Finally down to the local tool
shop for a 12mm tube spanner.........cost $9.oo
Glo plug 1 removed and tested - Failed
Glo plug 2 removed and tested - Failed + burnt tip
Glo plug 3 removed and tested - Failed
Glo plug 4 remains intested - grand child babysitting got in the way
After market GPs seem unavailable, pitty - cost to replace with dealer originals ...... $70.oo each
AnswerID:
178474
Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 18:59
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 18:59
Cocka,
I reckon if you can fix the problem for under $300 you'll get a bargain. Hope all is
well for the upcoming trip north.
Hocka.
FollowupID:
434697
Follow Up By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 20:30
Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 20:30
Tx Hocka
Any chance of seeing your (proposed) itinerary. We might find time to swap some yarns or an Ozzo, or both.
Cheers mate & tight lines
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