glow plugs

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barry badger
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glow plugs

Post by barry badger »

Before the cold weather arrives i want to improve the starting on my tzd. Last year it was starting ok but after starting it would hunt around and emit white/blue smoke for 30 seconds or more. I checked the power supply to the heater plugs and noticed they were switched off after starting. I altered the wiring to the timer which then gave me about 12 seconds of post heat which partially fixed the problem, but it really needs about 40 seconds of post heat.
I think i read in the haynes manual that some of the later xuds had up to 3 minutes of post heat.
Does anyone have any ideas how i can extend the post glow time, and even better to make it temperature dependant, engine and ambient.
Even my txd suffers the same problem but to a lesser degree.
1993 tzd estate, on sorn
1992 tzd estate, slowly being raided for parts
1992 txd estate, "doom blue" on the road
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KevR
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Re: glow plugs

Post by KevR »

Have you checked the plugs themselves? Sounds like one of them's on its way out.
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
mds141
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Re: glow plugs

Post by mds141 »

I'd concur with Kev. Definitely sounds like at least one duff plug. My XM TD starts at the first crank, even on the coldest day.
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barry badger
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Re: glow plugs

Post by barry badger »

Plugs all replaced with bosch duraterm, compressions all 380psi, cold start device replaced, timing 'fiddled' with, fuel screw adjusted and valve clearances checked.
I can get it starting better by advancing the timing but the diesel clatter is unacceptable.
This engine was always a good starter, i ran this car for three years and then gave it to my better half, she ran it for two years and since then it's never been the same.
This does start on the first crank but because the glow plugs don't stay on for long enough it hunts once its running
1993 tzd estate, on sorn
1992 tzd estate, slowly being raided for parts
1992 txd estate, "doom blue" on the road
1991 4x4 estate, on sorn
Mothman

Re: glow plugs

Post by Mothman »

Sounds like you have air getting into your fuel supply.

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mat_fenwick
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Re: glow plugs

Post by mat_fenwick »

That's a puzzle, because if it didn't need post heat when new, it shouldn't do now unless something has changed. But you've checked most things! Air in the fuel may be a possibility but I'd expect longer cranking to be required if this was the case.

When I changed to the Xantia engine I had very similar problems, so there must be some differences in the fuelling to mean that the later XUDs need the post heat whilst the earlier ones don't, as the original engine on the same set-up was fine. I solved it by fitting the Xantia relay which was fairly simple with a few wiring mods (temperature switch on the thermostat housing to stop post heat when above 60 °C). Bear in mind the post heat glow plugs are different.
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Re: glow plugs

Post by rutter123 »

Just take the engine from my tgd, its free and starts/runs perfect even at -5.
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