Rough Start

[turbo_steve]

Howdy Ya'll!

This is my 93 Surf 2.4L TD:



Picked it up last March, it started great right away no issues and ran smooth. By the fall I noticed it was taking more time on the key to start, wasnt as smooth, and took a lil bit longer to run proper and be ready to roll. Through the winter, spring and now over the last couple months it's progressively gotten worse. In that time I've done oil changes, all fluid changes really, air filter, fuel fiter, timing belt, water pump, all seals, and a couple other odds and ends. If I turn the key and wait till the glow plug "clunk" happens 3-4 times it does start a lil better/sooner but still runs rough. I've done a bunch of reading on this site and tried "this and that" but still haven't been able to sort it out. The one thing I haven't replaced is the glow plugs, could that be causing this issue? Here's how it starts:

http://youtu.be/DeaGCm8ruMw

The smoke out the tailpipe is grey/black and "diesely" and doesnt smell or look like it's a coolant issue. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

-Steve

[Bazcam]

When i bought my surf, the previous owner told me he'd fitted new glow
plugs 2 weeks earlier. Within 2 months I was having the same sort of starting
problems as your getting. Turns out the new glow plugs where cheapo and poor quality. I fitted some better ones and have'nt had any problems since.

If you have'nt fitted new glow plugs, I would try that first, before looking
elsewhere.

[turbo_steve]

And see that's about the only thing I haven't done yet and was thinking to try next. I had priced them out here awhile back and they weren't cheap which is why I had decided to hold off. I'll order some today and hopefully that resolves it. Thanks for the help!

-Steve

[turbo_steve]

got the same truck same stuff its going to be those..the only other thing i would add is check your air filter too..as i notice your in a dusty area..thats not going to help if its blocked.

Air filter was recently changed along with oil and fuel. Just ordered the plugs, should have them beginning of next week. I'll let ya know how it runs after the install. Thanks again!

-Steve

[NiftyNev]

Use Bosch Glow Plugs if you can get them. Avoid the cheap Ebay ones as they are nowhere near the quality of Bosch.

Nev

[Ploddit]

I personally avoid Bosch since most fabrication went to Mexico.....

My first choice is Denso.

[turbo_steve]

Installed my new glow plugs and the issue is still ongoing. It didn't get any better, I didn't test the old plugs or the anything else so I'll have to do a little more troubleshooting Probably should have done that before I spent the $160 on new plugs oh well

[BUSHWHACKER]

Just watched the video and it looks like a fuelling issue.
Is there a hissing sound when you remove the fuel tank cap? Could be something simple as a blocked tank breather, it lays on top of the tank with a small one-way check valve/filter near the end. Looking at how muddy your engine is, I'm guessing the tank will be covered too!

Also, check the glowplug 80A fuse, they can fracture due to age and constant vibrations causing intermittant breaks in the glowplug's power supply. You have to look at it very closely to see the hairline crack, it will look OK at first glance.

[turbo_steve]

Just watched the video and it looks like a fuelling issue.
Is there a hissing sound when you remove the fuel tank cap? Could be something simple as a blocked tank breather, it lays on top of the tank with a small one-way check valve/filter near the end. Looking at how muddy your engine is, I'm guessing the tank will be covered too!

Also, check the glowplug 80A fuse, they can fracture due to age and constant vibrations causing intermittant breaks in the glowplug's power supply. You have to look at it very closely to see the hairline crack, it will look OK at first glance.

Thanks bud, I'll check the simple stuff tomorrow. I'm in the middle of tearing apart a 3VZE to do a head gasket and all the other fun stuff. Once that's back together and the 4R is on the road I'll tear into the surf again. Also have to take out the rear gears and see bout installing my locker as well as finish up a bunch of other stuff including removing the body lift.