Frozen engines and Glow Plugs in the Pilbara...

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 14:58
ThreadID: 46853 Views:3132 Replies:7 FollowUps:5
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Currently in Newman and spent a night camping in a creek bed the other night after a RFDS fund raiser with temps down around the zero mark. Good to be in the swag and not much fun out of it however the next morning tried for an early start and simply no combustion from the frozen diesel tho plenty of cranking power.

A bit of a check with the multi-meter revealed 12 volts to the voltage bar feeding the glow plugs, but when I tested each plug individually, all were open circuit - Bugger!!!

Finally got it going with a rising sun and some DWF in the air cleaner but now to replace the plugs. Costs for these things are all over the place with ebay ones at $45 for a set of six up to $44.90 EACH quoted out of Perth.

Does any one have any idea where in Perth such items can be sourced at a respectable price? Believe it or not, there are none available in Newman so will have to air courier anyway.

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Reply By: traveller2 - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:01

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:01
Another way of getting a 1Hz going is to pour a bucket (or two ;-)) of hot water over the engine concentrating on the injection manifold and that side of the head.
AnswerID: 247884

Follow Up By: Member - andrew B (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:05

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:05
I had trouble with the old mq on cold mornings......heat gun blowing hot air in intake manifold worked good too, but mine would be capeable of burning the air cleaner if not careful.....and no it didn't happen, although I have lit fires with it intentionally.

Cheers Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - John L G - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:29

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:29
Traveller - Anderew

I was thinking of getting the fire up a bit and transferring some coals under the engine at one stage as I was by myself and fairly wary of flattening batteries which can be pretty easily achieved cold cranking.

Seems I'm not alone in this unexpected problem and now for a remedy. Slows things down a tad as I was planning another bush trip for this weekend but need to sort this problem first methinks as it's bloody cold up here at the moment.
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FollowupID: 508689

Reply By: ChunkyCharcoal - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:38

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:38
I would look for glow plugs on ebay. Much cheaper...
AnswerID: 247891

Follow Up By: Member - John L G - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:50

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 15:50
Chunky

Yes, the ones on eBay range between $45 and $80 per set.

I was just hoping I could source some at a reasonable price in Perth so that I could overnight them to Newman and get me out and about again.
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FollowupID: 508693

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 18:27

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 18:27
John,

A good get out of trouble method when camping and having this problem is to boil a big pot of water and pour it over the top of the motor.

The more water you can boil the better. It has worked for me in the past. I reckon its a bit safer than lighting a fire under the car.

Duncs
AnswerID: 247925

Follow Up By: Member - Brian H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 20:32

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 20:32
I had to do that to my old cruiser boil water and pour over and it worked until I replaced them.

Mind you I'd rather have them replaced before I went tripping :).

Brian
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FollowupID: 508768

Reply By: Member - John - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 19:06

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 19:06
Might sound silly, but till you have changed the glow plugs, tuck your engine in at night, ie, cover it with a blanket etc, make sure to remove before starting, lol.
John and Jan

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AnswerID: 247931

Reply By: obee - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 21:06

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 21:06
get hold of a copy of the yellow pages look under injectors in the index and it will direct you to page 1069. There are about twenty fuel injection places some of which refurbish injectors. Prices may vary.

Owen
AnswerID: 247958

Reply By: dozerdude - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 21:33

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 21:33
try craig from united parts international in welshpool sorry i dont have the number on me..
AnswerID: 247971

Follow Up By: Member - John L G - Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 14:05

Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 at 14:05
Dozer

Finally tracked down a mob in Wangara and son picked a set up this morning for $66 - yes! for 6 of - and will express post tonight.

Mark up on this stuff is incredible when you consider some wanted $45 ea for same.

Still, a morning on the spanners now as local garage quoted $135 per hour to replace and reckoned an hour and a half to do the job. Not bloody likely, rather do it myself anyway.
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Reply By: D-Jack - Friday, Jun 29, 2007 at 16:11

Friday, Jun 29, 2007 at 16:11
Can anyone explain why my 99 TD Jackaroo started first thing in the morning after a -2 degree night (was still -2 degrees on the thermometer) and ice over everything, including water freezing in a cup when left out overnight UNDER the camper awning??? I forgot about the whole frozen diesel thing, but wanted to test the new Mobil Delvac 1 5w40 which is supposed to offer superior cold weather starting (which it did)

D-Jack
AnswerID: 249866

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