Poor "cold" Starting

[Max34]

Can anyone shed some light on poor cold starting of a 2002 Toyota Hilux with the D4D engine. I live out here in Thailand and "cold" starts are around 24 degrees C.

I am not sure if the injectors could be leaking overnight as the engine seems to kick back as if it is hydraulicing. The engine feels like it is trying to jump out of the engine bay. I am no diesel expert so don't know to what temperatures the glow plugs will work and as I am sure new injectors will be expensive don't want to guess the problem. Warm starts are fine.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Max34]

Haven't been able to find technical info. from Toyota, but I had an e mail from my friend in a German car company. Their 3.0 litre commonrail diesel activates the glow plugs up to a coolant temperature of 30 degrees C. I will use this as a ball park figure and check out the glow plugs - for activation and if each one is working. I will post further info in case it helps anyone else.

[dervdave]

It should start ok without glow plugs unless its really cold.

When did you last change the fuel filter, is the plunger on the filter hard ? does it make a difference to starting if you pump it ?

Run a good cleaner through the system

[Max34]

Hi Dervdave, new fuel filter 2,000 miles ago and archoil 6400 through the system at the same time

[dervdave]

Hi Dervdave, new fuel filter 2,000 miles ago and archoil 6400 through the system at the same time

Did it have the problem before it was changed ? how about the plunger on the filter does pumping it hard before starting make difference ?

Smoke ? colour ?

[Max34]

Hi Dervdave, to be honest my Hilux has always been like this since I bought it. When I road tested it it was warm and started well. There is no sign of smoke on start-up cold. Will try the plunger today to see if that helps. Thanks for your suggestions.

[dervdave]

The Hilux is normally noted for being very reliable starters

I know you`ve a feeling your problem could be the glow plugs or injectors and could be right but its always best to eliminate the simple things which is why an air leak in the fuel system is my first thought.

[Max34]

Its been a few days since I last posted on this topic as I wanted to be sure of my success with the "cold" starting. I did as you suggested Dervdave and pumped the lever on the fuel filter and there was no significant improvement in starting. I tried it three times on a cold engine to be sure. It is colder here now being December, around 17 to 20 degrees Celsius for a cold start.

I was hoping to check the glow plugs myself but they are buried so I took the pickup to our local workshop. The guys dismantled the necessary parts to gain access to the glow plugs and removed them to check. All four worked but the tips were all heavily carboned up. The owner of the workshop said this is probably the reason. They cleaned the glow plugs and rebuilt everything. This morning my pickup started a treat.

The guys also found carbon build up in a cylindrical component, so much so it was blocked. It was made of steel and I am guessing it was to do with exhaust gas recirculation. Whatever it was has made a significant difference to performance, my Hilux is now very lively on the road. We have a small step up to our driveway, about 3 inches, yesterday the pickup lit up the rear wheels in an effort to climb this and it has never wheelspun like that before.

[dervdave]

Great, pleased you`ve got it sorted.