Hard to Start Diesel

Submitted: Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:37
ThreadID: 79871 Views:6044 Replies:10 FollowUps:12
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Hi All

I have a question for all you mechanical types.

I have a Toyota Coaster 87 model HB30 6cyl Diesel.

Since the weather here has got down to the low temps....0.1 etc I am finding the bus extremely hard to start.
Almost like it just wont fire. Eventually it does and then for the rest of the day....no probs.

Could this be the glow plugs going off or is there some other nasty Im overlooking.

Thanks for any advise.

Regards

Peter
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Reply By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:38

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:38
Have you tried double glowing the glow plugs prior to starting?? Also what is the condition of the starter battery like.


Cheers Kev
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter H (WA - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:49

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:49
Hi Sir Kev

Double glowing? Start battery is in great nic.

Peter
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:45

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:45
almost certainly glow plugs then
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:46

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:46
replacing them is no harder than doing the sparkplugs (on a petrol)
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Reply By: briancc - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:43

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:43
Glow plugs would be the first items on the list. The ol HJ60 would struggle if more than two glow plugs were blown in cool weather.
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Reply By: get outmore - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:54

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 14:54
does i blow a huge cloud of white smoke when it starts?
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Follow Up By: Member - Peter H (WA - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:33

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:33
Yup
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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 03:04

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 03:04
Take the bridge off the plugs then and see if there is any continuity.
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Reply By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 15:09

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 15:09
Glow plugs on either of the old tech diesels (2H or H). Neither were great at starting on non alpine diesel in the cold and will smoke when they do eventually go.

Kev means to glow them once like you would normally and without trying to start it glow it again.

Cheers
Dave
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AnswerID: 423091

Reply By: nomadoz - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 15:21

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 15:21
Sorry Peter
It sound like the compression is not up to scratch, a rebuilt guaranteed to fix it.

Or a couple hot water bottles and a blanket to keep it warm overnight.

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Follow Up By: fisho64 - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 03:10

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 03:10
yeah I think as others have mentioned, try the glow-plugs before the rebuild, $80 as opposed to $1500 plus labour.
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:09

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:09
Try the glowplugs first as they are a common problem on the 2h with starting probs as others have said.
To test them you will need basic knowledge and a few tools.
start by removing the busbar that connects all the glowplugs together and the wire that supplies them, 8mm nuts from memory.
Then with either a multimeter set on the lowest resistance scale test from the end of each glowplug to the head or good metal on the engine. As glowplugs usually go open circuit when burnt out if you get no reading on the meter then the plug is cactus.
To test with a test lamp connect the fly lead to positive battery and touch the probe to each glowplug in turn, no light equals blown glowplug.
As Dave said if there are any more than 2 blown it will be hard to start especially if the engine is well worn.
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Reply By: Member - John D, Wandong (Vic) - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:21

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:21
Hi Peter, Take your coaster to a diesel mechanic and get the glow plugs checked, I just had all four on my '05 Rodeo replaced, and she now starts up straight away.
Make sure you ask/shop around if it is the glow plugs, the local holden dealer quoted me $110 each, I finally got them fitted by a diesel specialist for $25 each plus labor...all up $189.00.

Good luck,
John
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Follow Up By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:40

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:40
Have cheap glow plugs in two triton 2.8 diesels, only last about 12 months, got them from Motor Traders going back to oe for next set. one 2000 build and one 2004 build since sold and needed a new set when sold. Other one needs new set now and both sets fitted last August. Brand was ABBA for memory.
First two sets replaced under warranty, wont do replacements.
Cheers
Charlie
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Follow Up By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 20:05

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 20:05
Brand of glow plug in HKT not ABBA. Have gone back to Bosch's to try them as been in my Hi ace van with no problems.
Cheers
Charlie
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Reply By: Gossy - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:29

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 16:29
sorry if this has been mentioned but grab yourself a test light to see if one of the glow plugs are failing. Also check the relay if you know where this is (but prob OK if starting eventually).

Definately a glow plug issue. If one has died I suggest you replace them all at the same time for peace of mind.
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 17:37

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 17:37
they could have a burnt fusible link too........
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Reply By: Allan B, Sunshine Coast, - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 17:54

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 17:54
Peter, Before you start disconnecting and testing individual glow plugs, carry out a simple test to determine if the glow plugs are receiving 12 volts. It could be a fault in your glow plug timer or associated circuitry.

To test, connect a voltmeter or a 12v lamp between the busbar connecting your glow plugs and a good earth point. Switch on the ignition (but do not crank) and observe if the busbar is receiving 12v. If not then you may need a mechanic. If so, then you probably have some faulty glow plugs so proceed as advised in responses above.

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 423119

Follow Up By: briancc - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 22:49

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 22:49
This engine may be different, but my old 2H in the HJ60 had a couple of different voltage options for the glow plug supply. 12V wasn't either of those. From memory mine had the 6V plugs (??). So not getting 12V may not mean a problem.
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Follow Up By: Member - Tour Boy ( Bundy QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 08:38

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 08:38
Yep, depending on the year and application of the same motor, they can be 6, 9, 12 or 24 volt. make sure you get the right ones. Use the VIN for the correct one.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers,
Dave
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Reply By: Member - Peter H (WA - Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 21:58

Monday, Jul 05, 2010 at 21:58
Many Thanks for all the relies and advice. I will start testing the plugs tomorrow. I priced a full set today and they come up at $161.70 so I was pretty happy with that. I will have a go at doing them myself and If I get stuck I will get my sons mate to help me. He is a Diesel Mechanic.


Regards

Peter
AnswerID: 423176

Follow Up By: ross - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 12:27

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2010 at 12:27
You can do even better than that price on ebay, around $75 delivered to your door. Ive been using the HKT brand for few years and no problems.

Site Link

As the others have mentioned,its important to identify which glow voltage you have.
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