3L diesel won't start?

[soo33y]

Hi,

I have a 3l DIESEL that will not start.

I have changed the injectors and glow plugs but it still won't start.

It turns over ok, but it just will not start.

ANy ideas, clues ? what should I be looking for ?

Have also tried tripping the glow plugs by holding a piece of wire from the battery to the glow plugs.

Have also checked compression and it's all fine.

Please HELP

Thanks,
Daniel.

[dazzsbuggy]

maybe a stupid question but, have you primed the fuel system?

[plowy]

yeah is there a fuel blockage

was there any symptems before you changed all those parts ?

how was it runnin berfore?
need more info to help give you an answer

[soo33y]

yup primed the fuel system.

We'll, the car hasn't been started for approx 2 years.

Just trying to get it running again. Don't know a whole lot about the history of the hilux cause I only just purchased it.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Keep em comin !!

[dazzsbuggy]

now that makes a difference as to giving you info to try to fix it the more info you can give the better the chance that someone will be able to figure it out


so what are the fuel lines like? is the fuel filter blocked? check all fuel lines even get a compressor and blow the fuel line back into the tank (it could be blocked) and re prime the system

[soo33y]

Haven't changed the fuel filter as yet,

But when I installed the rebuilt injectors, I bleed the air out of the system and there was definately diesel pissing out the fuel lines.

Next thing I will do is change the fuel filter and see how it goes. My mate who is a mechanic says we should look at the timing next. Anyother opinions ??

THanks,
Daniel

[dumbdunce]

the timing shouldn't need to be fiddled with - if it was ok before it sat for 2 years, it's fine now. it's porbably a fuel blockage, and it's probably caused by black algae in the fuel. try running it off a small drum of fuel, through a inline efi petrol fiter, straight into the pump, bypassing all the existing filter and lines.

good luck!

Brian

[spazbot]

make the the fuel cut off solinoid is working and that its not staying off, check all the plugs in the injector pump and follow then back to the loom on the passenger side above the wheel arch, the cit off stuff is also behinde the passengers kick panel.

[plowy]

try a squirt of aero start to see if it will at least run

[RUFF]

try a squirt of aero start to see if it will at least run

This will be the best thing to do. If it runs on Aerostart then it has nothing to do with the timing.

[thebrunks]

Crack the injector lines & see if fuel is pumping out the injector lines when cranking?

If yes then keep on cranking, even if the glow plugs aren't working eventually it will fire when there is enough heat in the cylinders.

Diesels only need fuel supply to work, it can be only a problem with fuel unless the motor is totally stuffed!

Russ

[soo33y]

Thanks for all the replies guys,

Firstly, maybe there is a problem with black algae in the tank. It was sitting around for 2 years and the tank is still 3/4 full.

We checked compression and everything is good. We then tried using aerostart, but it still wouldn't start. Turns over ok...but just not starting.

I have installed new glow plugs, and rebuilt injectors already. Have tripped the glow plugs by connecting them straight to the battery using some wire.

When I installed the rebuilt injectors I bleed the air out of the lines before tightening them up. So that should be fine in regards to air in the lines.

So should these be the first things I should check on Monday :

1. Black algae in the fuel - drain and replace with fresh fuel
2. Check that the fuel cut off solinoid is working and not staying off - how do I do that by the way ?
3. Check the timing...

Thanks,
Daniel.

[thebrunks]

Check that the fuel cut off solinoid is working and not staying off - how do I do that by the way

The easy way is to crank the motor with the injector lines loosened off, to see if fuel is pumping out!

You can disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter that goes to the pump & place the line in a container (coke bottle etc) full of fuel. This will eliminate blocked fuel lines & filters.

Russ

[soo33y]

Thanks Russ,

I'll give the coke bottle trick a try on Monday !!

Thanks,
Daniel.

[soo33y]

So just to recap :

If it won't start using aerostart - what should I be looking for ?

I have changed the glow plugs and have good compression.

It turns over ok so it's definately not seized....

ANY IDEAS ??

Thanks,
Daniel.

[plowy]

have you used a compression tester to test the comp?

cuase it sounds a worry that it won't attempt to start on aero start

[soo33y]

Tidy42,

Yup we have checked compression and it's all good.

Anything else we should be looking for ?

[BadLux]

just remember when cranking it over, not to burn out the starter motor, crank it for 15secs - 20secs max then wait a bit before trying again, otherwise you'll be replacing the starter motor aswell!!

[plowy]

remove the rocker cover and wind the motor over ,make sure all the valves are movin in case

cause the fawker aint runnin on areo start and its got compression is it atleast puffin any smoke out the exhaust atleast fawk it will be good when we get an answer
n yeah watch the starter or it will be next too

[spazbot]

random thought, hows the timing belt look....

[plowy]

thats what its startin to seem like ah spazbot

[soo33y]

Pulled the front off last nite.

Timing belt looks good, brand new water pump in there as well.

The timing looks ok too, haven't checked whether there is any smoke coming out of the exhaust.

HOWEVER, after pulling the fan and the timing belt cover off, we tried starting it again. But it would not start. BUT there was some smoke coming puffing out of the thermostat - any ideas ? Cracked cylinder head perhaps ?

I'll take off the rocker cover and have a look at that tomorrow. Got a funeral to attend to today.

Thanks,
Daniel.

[RUFF]

You say its got Good Compression. How much are we talking here? Because if its pumping water out the Thermostate then it has a head gaskit or Cyl Head prob and should have very low Compression.

Have you ever had this motor running in the past? Whats its history?

[soo33y]

Ok, so my mate and his mechanic are thinking the exact same this a you are RUFF.

Going to pull the head off this week - either tomorrow or the day after...whenever I can find some free time after work.

I'll let you know how it all goes.

Thanks for the replies,
Daniel.

[huddo]

might be stupid but have you checked the ign fuse in the cabin she will crank over forever but will not start

[fisho64]

heck I wouldnt pull the head of to see if it is cracked! Pressure test the cooling system first. If it is puffing out the radiator from a cracked head it will DEFINETLY not hold pressure, but not holding pressure in itself doesnt necessarily mean that the head is cracked! But your mechanic should know all this if he is a mechanic. It wont be the timing belt if the compression is ok on all pots, unless it has slipped a tooth.
Clean out the fuel system, make sure it is getting fuel to the injectors while cranking then tow the bloody thing before you strip it. Just a question though, why did you fit new injectors? That could have been an expensive mistake if the solenoid etc hasnt been checked?
whenever diagnosing these sorts of problems, always start with the easy/ obvious and cheap first!!

[soo33y]

HUDDO,

What do you mean by checking the ignition fuse ? If it cranks then what else does a diesel need ? Isn't it all mechanical ?

Well I pulled the head off last nite - the gasket seems ok, no spilts or cracks. Going to get the head reconditioned and while I'm at it I'll get a rebuild kit and do that.

If my head gasket looks ok and fuel is getting to the injectors, then what else could be the problem ? Could it just be that the head is gone ?

Daniel.

[Dzltec]

While fuel may be getting to the injectors, it may not be enough to make it start. if your going as far as doing a rebuild kit, get the pump tested.

There is a test to check starting fuel at 100 revs. Should be "x" amount.
When the engine is reassembled, try starting it without any manifolds. Might have an exhaust restriction. Have heard of wasps building nests inside them.

You need 3 things to make it start, air, fuel and heat.

Hope this helps.