Starting the monster

[clarky]

Ok - picked up my SWB 2.8TD - last week.  For the first few days its fine - turn the key, wait for the glow plug light to go out and off we go.  Last couple of mornings its taken four or five atempts to coax the monster into life.  It turns alright, nice puff of black smoke but doesnt quite catch?

Am I doing something stupid (this is my first diesel), do I need to wait a while after the glow plug light has gone out or do you reckon I may need new plugs?

If I do need new glow plugs how much are we talking about to get them and fitted?

thanks guys .. really weird as for the first say 5 days it started like a dream...

Clarky

[meedsy]

just pull the choke out a bit they dont like the cold much deisel addatives help to i use milners deisel treatment

[stevo]

i know from past that 2.8 suffer with pump problems.... might need an overhaul

[Tiny Tim]

You are not doing anything wrong from what you describe.

Could be the glo plugs are on the way out or the control circuit is not cycling them properly.

From memory the plugs are around £10 each from Milners

[S100MDB]

When i had a 2.8 diesel i used to wait until i heard a click which was often 10-15 seconds after the light goes out - it never used to start when the light went out unless warm!

Wait for the click and should start up proper!

[joker777]

i to was of the understanding that the light on the 2.8 didnt mean much but to wait for the click of the relay instead

[markyd]

Mine's always starts on the second click on the relay. ( no matter how cold). I do find using diesel additive does help though, seems to help starting and very little smoke.

As tim says could be something to do with your plugs?

[clarky]

Thanks guys....

Just been out - hasnt started since about 4pm and it turned over first time - 4 hours later.

Ill listen carefully for the click then, I reckon I might just get another set of plugs done either way.  What sort of diesel additives are you using - where do I get them?  Whats the procedure?

Now if any of you need help getting the best out of a VVTi Toyota I can return the favour!

thanks again

Clarky

[markyd]

Thanks guys....

Just been out - hasnt started since about 4pm and it turned over first time - 4 hours later.

Ill listen carefully for the click then, I reckon I might just get another set of plugs done either way.  What sort of diesel additives are you using - where do I get them?  Whats the procedure?

Now if any of you need help getting the best out of a VVTi Toyota I can return the favour!

thanks again

Clarky

Just any additive will do , i usually use wynns or what evers available on the forecourt, just empty the contents in to the tank, repeat on a monthly basis.
Gald you mentioned that clarky..i got a Gen7 2003 toyota Celcia VVTi which is drinks unleaded like George best at a free bar.. it the 140, any starting points? quite low miles... company car

[Tiny Tim]

Aha - listening for the 2 nd click is right with 2.5 that doesn't have a light so cant hurt with a 2.8

Diesel additive - I use Reddex Diesel on one fill in four. Just bung it in the tank according to the instructions.

Plugs available from Milners on 01629 734411 or from Mitsi dealer

[mule]

You will have to be carefull when changing the plugs as there are two different types, Mitsy ones are expensive but better, longer lasting,
Try leaving it a while after the light goes out and listen for the clicks, also remember Thurs and Fri it was -4 outside ovenight here, which is unusually cold!!

[clarky]

Cheers again guys - the accident I had on monday has ended up with the corsa driver admitting it was her fault - so Ill be going into the local dealer tuesday anyway - will get them to check the plugs and give me a price for replacing them.   Ill also have a look at the additive tomorrow when Im out.  This is all a bit new to me so I apologise in advance for numnuts questions ...

As regards the celica mate - if its a company car you're kind of limited, but a decent induction system and exhaust  - would be a good starting point, try www.envyperformance.com - ask for Kevin if you call - 01670 823333 - he is the toyota god.   Personally I'd ideally go for a unichip remap - more power and more economy, but its a piggyback ecu and wont make you popular with the lease firm.  The main problem with the VVTi engine is that it needs revved to get decent performance ... which in turn means you end up driving at high revs and using the fuel ...

[markyd]

As regards the celica mate - if its a company car you're kind of limited, but a decent induction system and exhaust  - would be a good starting point, try www.envyperformance.com - ask for Kevin if you call - 01670 823333 - he is the toyota god.   Personally I'd ideally go for a unichip remap - more power and more economy, but its a piggyback ecu and wont make you popular with the lease firm.  The main problem with the VVTi engine is that it needs revved to get decent performance ... which in turn means you end up driving at high revs and using the fuel ...

I know but its fun!

Thanks for the pointers.. apart from the high fuel bills its a scream to drive.. have you got one?

[clarky]

Nah - we've got a fairly highly modded Yaris (no laughing) and a MkII MR2.

Ive done over 100k in the yaris - now retired to weekend 1/4miling and track days - want to get it turbo'd and a new low mileage lump eventually ... watch this space, the MR2 is a 10th anniversary limited edition and pushing just under 200bhp - which can be a handful in the wet.

I swore blind the paj would stay standard ... which doesnt really explain the custom 3.5inch stainless exhaust I had made or my plans for a unifilter, 3G brakes and uprated pads all round does it?  The modding thing is like an additiction...

Next on the agenda are a hard wheel cover, ladder and some more driving lights

[S100MDB]

cool good effort mate - keep it up!