Toyota Surf problem

[Rupe]

I've got an old diesel Surf that was getting harder and harder to start. I thought it was the glow plugs so I changed them but, this didn't help. About a week ago it gave up and wouldn't start at all, so I called the AA out. The guy basically pumped the the primer on top of the fuel filter, sprayed some "easy start" into the air intake, and with my foot flat on the gas we got it going eventually. The guy said that I should change the fuel filter, and the pump/primer attached to it as it wasn't pumping properly. This seemed a bit strange as it not something you use every day??? Anyway the next day it wouldn't start again, so yest I changed the fuel filter, used the pump to get the fuel through it (which seemed to build preasure fine to me) and manged to start it eventually. Today it is starting up fine, which confused me. Was it just the fuel filter, has anyone else had a fuel filter cause a problem like this? Or whats this problem with New Zealand diesel and old fuel pumps?

Don't really want to take it to a garage and say, although my car seems fine could you find a problem!

[Edbear]

Yup! Fuel filters should be changed occaisionally as they clog up eventually and block the fuel flow. Yours has probably never been changed as most owners either don't know about them or don't want to spend the dollars on a new one.

[Rupe]

Nah, it had been changed as it was a repco one I replaced. Just tried to start it again and it won't start again, f**kin thing.

[tri boy]

Does the primer still feel firm? If so, I doubt that it has a fuel/air leak problem.
My main concern is that it took a while to fire up on ether.
That shit is like nitro to a diesel, if it takes more than a second or two with that, then you may need to get the valve clearance/compressions checked.
Stay away from the ether, diesels become like junkies on that stuff, and refuse to run on anything else.
How olds the diesel? Get a sample. Is there water in it? Drain the tank. Is there a mesh filter near the fuel pump?(normally in the fuel banjo bolt).
Good luck.

[Sollyboy]

Check the volts and amps on the glow plugs, found a bad terminal on mine was causing eratic problems , like hard to start and lotsa smoke once started

[paturoa]

What colour are the exhaust fumes when it first starts from cold? Black is good, white is bad.

[Mr. Peanut]

Does the primer still feel firm? If so, I doubt that it has a fuel/air leak problem.
My main concern is that it took a while to fire up on ether.
That shit is like nitro to a diesel, if it takes more than a second or two with that, then you may need to get the valve clearance/compressions checked.
Stay away from the ether, diesels become like junkies on that stuff, and refuse to run on anything else.
How olds the diesel? Get a sample. Is there water in it? Drain the tank. Is there a mesh filter near the fuel pump?(normally in the fuel banjo bolt).
Good luck.

Is there anyone in the Waikato that doesn't own a diesel?

[babyblade250rr]

Do you think the weather temperature my play some part in this difficult starting episode??

[Masterchop]

One thing you could try is fitting a one way valve in the fuel line to prevent the fuel draining back out of the pump when it has been sitting for a while.
They are cheap and you can probably get one from Repco.

Other thing is check the alternator they can make diesels hard to start.

[Kickaha]

How many Km has it done and when where the injectors last serviced?

[The Pastor]

it seems to me the problem is its a cage.

[peasea]

Being slightly more helpful.........

I used to work for Toyota and the above advice re filter changes and so on is quite correct. For a diesel you should change all the filters at once, preferably every 10,000kms. When you change the fuel filter priming the filter is essential and when the filter is full the resistamce at the plunger should be pretty good. If it isn't you've got a leak somewhere.

The glow plug connections should be clean and I've seen the relay pack on some, so again, the advice to check the voltage there is sound.

How many k's do the injectors have on them? If it's high get them serviced. This isn't the cheapest of operations but they run so much better afterward, and use less fuel/start easier etc, that it's worth the expense.

Good luck.

[Rupe]

I think it could be a combo of things, the primer doesn't get that hard so there maybe a leak somewhere. Or it could be the injectors as it's done a few km's and is was a smokey old bugger before it gave up. Think I'll take it to a garage see if they can sort it.

Also does anyone know if terrano/pathfinders are chain or belt drive.

Thanks

[Swoop]

Black is good, white is bad.

Going by most of the road-whales inhabiting (infesting) D'auckland's roads, black is the new black, and the more the exhaust puts out, the better...

[FROSTY:Me]

I sell a lot of Remmers tractors and since the low sulpher fuel came online a LOT of diesels have had problems with their fuel pumps. I THINK the new fuel has a good ol munch on the rubber seals n stuff.Could be your problem.
Have you tried double glowing it --and with the new glow plugs --ignore the glow light and listen for the clunk.