Glow Plug Timer?

[The Mighty WAH]

My glow plug light only comes on for about 1/2 a second, whatever the engine or outside temperature. Since the colder weather it has been cranking a couple more times before firing, though there is never a doubt that it will fire up.
Is the light indicative of what the glow plugs are actually doing?
Is the timer adjustable?



Colin, the manic grin comes from the CBR as well as the SURF!

[exmee46]

[QUOTE=The Mighty WAH]
Is the light indicative of what the glow plugs are actually doing?
Is the timer adjustable?
QUOTE]

My English translation manual has this to say:

"This light will come on when the ignition is turned ON, to show that the engines (sic) Glow plugs are heating. When this light goes out it is Ok to start the engine. When the engine is cold the Glow Plugs may take longer to heat"

It seems to me that the light does stay on a little longer when it has been icy recently, but not really very long at all liek you - no more than a second or so. The fuse is 80amp so I guess they are drawing quite a lot of current and must heat up pretty quick like a headlamp filament. I know that many modern diesels (eg Golfs) require hardly any delay at all - but my old Rover 418 took 5 or 6 seconds whatever the temperature. Certainly doesnt seem to make any difference if you leave them on for longer in my experience, although without putting a meter across the battery and checking the voltage to see if it comes back up indictating they have cut out you can't be really sure what is happening.

Cheers

Kev

[Koi]

To help cold starting diesel engines are equipped with a pre heating system, which comprimises of four glow plugs, a pre heat timer a dash mounted warning light, relays and timers.
The glow plugs are positioned directly in line with the incoming spray of diesel, when the plugs are energised the diesel passing over them is heated to its optimum combustion temperature allowing easier starting.
The length of the pre heating period is determined by the pre heating timer, which monitors the temperature of the engine via the water temperature sensors and alters the length of time accordingly.
Pre heating is started when the ignition is turned on, the light goes out on the dash but the plugs continue to heat for a bit longer, until the engine is started. If the engine is then not started within a certain time the power to the plugs is cut, preventing batttery drain and plug burnout.
After the engine has been started the plugs continue to heat the incoming diesel for a further period of time. This helps to improve cold fuel combustion whilst the engine is warming up, this improves cold running, which results in quieter, smoother running and reduced emmisions (the black smog). Again this length of time is measured by the water temp sensors allowing the plugs to pre heat the fuel until the required engine temperature is reached.

[MikeSurf]

I have had a similar experiance of poor starting even after the lights gone out.

However if you wait until the lights gone out a few seconds after you may hear a click from under the dash. I think this is the glow plug relay clicking off.

If I wait for this click in the cold mine starts straight away no probs.


See if this wirks for you.


Mines a 2.4 1992 by the way.

Mike

[Shiny_Kit]

I can't help feeling there must be more to this - I too only get milliseconds of glowplug light on my dash, and it is really rough to start in the mornings. It always starts, but sounds really rough, compared to my (much older and clapped out) Defender, on which the glowplug light is on for maybe 6-8 seconds, and which starts first click every time. Anybody have any ideas ?

[ffp42]

Glow Plug Timer

Guys, thanks for your responses. Started up last night whilst it was freezing but didn't crank until a couple of seconds after the light had gone out. Started like it was the middle of summer, so looks like the light going out does not indicate that the power to the glow plugs has gone off.
Incidently am running on Bio Diesel, tax paid @ 65pp litre. This is re-cycled oil that includes additives to enhance viscosity and hence winter starting and running. Gradually increasing the %, up to 60% at this time, but thought the starting issue was related to the fuel. This is obviously not the case so will continue to incraese the %.

Colin

[Koi]

Started like it was the middle of summer, so looks like the light going out does not indicate that the power to the glow plugs has gone off.
Colin

Thats what i said in my post

[filgreen]

Since I saw this thread I've tried an experiment regarding timing of turning the key to start. If I turned the key to start as soon as the glow plug light went out it started to a rough idle (3 cylinders?), but if I waited till i heard the relay click off under the bonnet it started perfectly to a smooth tickover. Basically the longer you leave it up to relay openning the easier and smoother the start is. Try it.

[rich]

I have seen the 3 cylinders starting quote referenced to this problem before. New Glow Plugs has always solved the problem!

The other thing to check if you are convinced that they go off too quickly is the water temperature sensor.

Rich.

Since I saw this thread I've tried an experiment regarding timing of turning the key to start. If I turned the key to start as soon as the glow plug light went out it started to a rough idle (3 cylinders?), but if I waited till i heard the relay click off under the bonnet it started perfectly to a smooth tickover. Basically the longer you leave it up to relay openning the easier and smoother the start is. Try it.

[mud-ge]

[QUOTE=ffp42]Guys, thanks for your responses. Started up last night whilst it was freezing but didn't crank until a couple of seconds after the light had gone out. Started like it was the middle of summer, so looks like the light going out does not indicate that the power to the glow plugs has gone off.
Incidently am running on Bio Diesel, tax paid @ 65pp litre. This is re-cycled oil that includes additives to enhance viscosity and hence winter starting and running. Gradually increasing the %, up to 60% at this time, but thought the starting issue was related to the fuel. This is obviously not the case so will continue to incraese the %.

hi mate
had same problem and leaving it just a second or two makes all the difference,Which you all ready no now ,but was interested in where you get your bio diesel, i,am in southampton ,other end of the country i no but it may be somewhere to start

[rich]

There doesn't appear from this list to be one near you

http://www.biodieselfillingstations.co.uk/

Check out this thread to read all about doing it yourself

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1347

Rich.

[mud-ge]

cheers rich ,thanks for the thread will give it a look,The cheeper it is the more i can drive it

[ffp42]

Glowplugs & Bio Diesel

Glowplugs
Had similar results to everybody else, except that I haven't heard any noticeable sound from the dashboard area indicating a relay moving. What I did discover the other day was, whilst on a steady throttle at about 30 mph, the heater fan suddenly speeded up as if an electrical load had been switched off. This rather fits in with KOI's technical description that the glowplug will stay on until the engine reaches a certain temperature. This occurred after about 1/2 a mile from a cold morning start??

Bio Diesel
Have bitten the bullet and am running on 100% Bio, starting seems better on this than on diesel? Have previously run on new cooking oil mixtures up to about 60% during the summer. The manufactured Bio I am using is much thinner than cooking oil so I have experimented with reaction to cold temperatures. In the freezer, about -20C, the Bio is noticeably thicker but will still pour but would doubt if it could be pulled up from the tank. In the fridge at freezing point the Bio looks the same as when it is at room temperature. This leads me to a feeling that it will probably be OK down to about -10C, a temperature rarely reached on the coast in East Anglia.

As regards where it is sold, the site where I am getting mine is actually an oil recycling/alternate fuel centre so deal with gas conversions as well as Bio manufacture. Suggest this is another area to search for local suppliers.

[Shiny_Kit]

My problem turned out to be a busted battery terminal - resulting in a poor earth. The factory battery clamps seem to be stamped out from very thin brass, and an over-enthusiastic spanner jockey had over-tightened it and snapped the band that wraps round the -ve terminal. Replaced the terminal with a proper one and away she goes like a good 'un. The other one is split but not severed, so will have to replace that one too, but only had one in the shed.

[Trooper]

Glow plugs.

If you think a couple of seconds delay is bad try an Astra! I have never seen my Surf Glo-Light but the Astra stays on for ages and its not worth trying until it goes out. Bio diesel is great, higher C rating. The proper stuff is OK at 100%. Available from Shabitat in Brighton.