Heat plugs ?

[Cranfield]

On the first start of the day, the engine turns for quite a while before firing up, usually accompanied by a puff of smoke from the exhaust.
All subsequent start-ups are trouble/delay free.

First thoughts (at my local Garage) are that its the heat plugs.
They checked these and they appear to be OK.
Of course it could be the relay.

I have two questions please;

Does anyone have any ideas, before I get them to change the heat plug and the relay ?

The Garage were surprised that I didn't have a "Light Glow" on my instrument panel, to indicate that the vehicle was "warming up".
Should there be one, has the bulb gone ?

Any comments would be appreciated.
All technical comments noted above are from the Garage, I know nothing about most things, including diesel engines.

[Silversurfer]

On the first start of the day, the engine turns for quite a while before firing up, usually accompanied by a puff of smoke from the exhaust.
All subsequent start-ups are trouble/delay free.

First thoughts (at my local Garage) are that its the heat plugs.
They checked these and they appear to be OK.
Of course it could be the relay.

I have two questions please;

Does anyone have any ideas, before I get them to change the heat plug and the relay ?

The Garage were surprised that I didn't have a "Light Glow" on my instrument panel, to indicate that the vehicle was "warming up".
Should there be one, has the bulb gone ?

Any comments would be appreciated.
All technical comments noted above are from the Garage, I know nothing about most things, including diesel engines.

I have a 1995 3lt and there is a pre-heat light on the dash. From what you say it does sound like the pre-heat is not working properly.
There is an on-line manual which has all the info you will need to check out the pre-heat system at the below URL:
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/manuals/1KZ-TE/

I have attached an engine wiring diagram which may help to check out the wiring/relays etc. Not sure if your engine is exactly the same 0n a 1991 but it must be somewhere near.

[Cranfield]

Thanks Silversurfer, I appreciate the help.
Could you please email me the wiring diagram at normal size, the thumbnail distorts badly, when I try to enlarge it ?

I have amended my "profile", as my Surf is 1993, not 1991, as I previously had.

[Silversurfer]

Thanks Silversurfer, I appreciate the help.
Could you please email me the wiring diagram at normal size, the thumbnail distorts badly, when I try to enlarge it ?

I have amended my "profile", as my Surf is 1993, not 1991, as I previously had.

Hi Cranfield

Check your Email

I have sent you the diagram as a Word document - hope it is a bit clearer

[Cranfield]

Silversurfer, I haven't received the email yet, could you please resend it.
The email addy in my profile is good ( briansmith@cranfield.fslife.co .uk).

I don't appear to have a preheat light on my dashboard (unless the bulb is gone), where abouts exactly is it ?

This morning I tried turning the ignition key to the first point and counting to ten, she fired first time without any accompanying smoke.
I obviously haven't been allowing the preheat time.
In the milder weather its obviously not a problem, but in the extreme cold in the last few months it becomes an issue.

Something else I have learnt.

[marky]

Heres a pic of the dash layout

[da SLUG man]

you'll hear the relay click off when the timer switches the plugs off... just wait for that and it should start straight away... either that or do a slow count to 5 before starting, with ignition on.

[Silversurfer]

Silversurfer, I haven't received the email yet, could you please resend it.
The email addy in my profile is good ( briansmith@cranfield.fslife.co .uk).

I don't appear to have a preheat light on my dashboard (unless the bulb is gone), where abouts exactly is it ?

This morning I tried turning the ignition key to the first point and counting to ten, she fired first time without any accompanying smoke.
I obviously haven't been allowing the preheat time.
In the milder weather its obviously not a problem, but in the extreme cold in the last few months it becomes an issue.

Something else I have learnt.

Hi Cranfield

I had sent the file via the Email address on the Forum so it must have got hung-up there. I have just re-sent to the address you have just given. Let me know if it is OK.

Silversurfer

[Cranfield]

Folks thanks for all the help and Silversurfer, the email has been received OK.