HELP. My truck wont start (Hilux Surf 1994 Auto Diesel)

[trickyaim]

Hi,

On Friday, my truck broke down in Mairangi Bay. It was parked on a steep hill with quarter of a tank of diesel in it. It wouldn't start. It made a start up noise but wouldn't turn over. AA came out, pressed the pump under the bonnet and did a couple of other things and it still wouldn't start. Truck got towed to the mechanics. He has not been able to determine the fault yet. He is now trying to find a computer in Auckland that he can hopefully lend before buying to see if the fault lies with the computer. A) we don't know yet if this is the problem - what else could it be? B) he has not been able to find the part yet C) we don't know how much this is all going to cost.

Any help would be appreciated.

Feeling nervous.

Amy

[madlux]

hi is it the 3.0L diesel turbo (1kz-te). If So these ecus have been knowen to crap out before, an easy check is to open it up and look at the circuit board and check for any black spots. also check the spill vavle on the injector pump.

If it is the computer this guy is great at fixing them and well priced

r-t auto 09 8278809, 021852808

Good luck

Ben

[tomsoffroad]

The primer pumps get sticky if they aren't needed for a long period. Instead of pumping it give the pump a few whacks with the palm of your hand. Played this game before

[trickyaim]

Hey thanks Ben.

My mechanic has gone sour on me (he is relatively new to us). He's told me to come and get the vehicle - unfixed. And pay him $300. Nice.

We are based on the North Shore, so we are going to get towed to an auto electrician locally.

Thanks a lot for your quick response.

Amy

[Crash bandicoot]

Hey thanks Ben.

My mechanic has gone sour on me (he is relatively new to us). He's told me to come and get the vehicle - unfixed. And pay him $300. Nice.

We are based on the North Shore, so we are going to get towed to an auto electrician locally.

Thanks a lot for your quick response.

Amy

Make sure you ask for an invoice with a breakdown of what exactly that 300 dollars has covered.

for 300 dollars you might as well make an insurance claim because the next person to look at it will probably charge that again to investigate it as well before they even start fixing it.

but it may pay to go to wrecker and see how much another ECU is... may be cheaper to go there first see if you can get one for a reasonable price and just drive to the mechanic and plug it in...if it starts up then don't pay him...he didn't fix it. you did..

by law they can't charge for service they have not provided.

IF the sparky does say ecu damaged then there is an ecu for a 1kz on TM right now for 275 in papakura.

there is also this guy in auckland... fixed price ecu repairs...

jack O21O23O542O

[dutchy]

but it may pay to go to wrecker and see how much another ECU is... may be cheaper to go there first see if you can get one for a reasonable price and just drive to the mechanic and plug it in...if it starts up then don't pay him...he didn't fix it. you did..

by law they can't charge for service they have not provided.

and if he still charges you, go to fair go. Will save you a fair bit of money

my 2cents

[mike]

I had exactly the same and it was like tom suggested the primer thingy didnt play ball, got a tow truck to the 4x4 shop and they fitted a non return valve in the fuel line and its never done it again. All the fuel had drained out of the line all the way back to the tank and no amount of pumping on that stupid thing got it near, hence the tow

[fweddy]

fitted a non return valve in the fuel line and its never done it again.

Where in the line did they fit it? I suspect mine's got a similar problem, always takes a bit to get fuel up to start but i haven't found any air leak yet. The NRV might do the trick, know a good type and source?

[buried]

Always been a strong believer in taking vehicles to those that most frequently work on them, sure its more $ per hour but they usually take less time.

When I cant be f00ked, dont have time or am out of my depth I go n see the guys at Motor tech 4x4 (blue? building down hillside in wairau) or All Tech.

$75 an hour but never had any issue.

In saying that, feel free to recommend mechanics that are cheaper on the shore that are decent

[bigstu]

I had exactly the same and it was like tom suggested the primer thingy didnt play ball, got a tow truck to the 4x4 shop and they fitted a non return valve in the fuel line and its never done it again. All the fuel had drained out of the line all the way back to the tank and no amount of pumping on that stupid thing got it near, hence the tow

x2 I had the same issue a few years ago a leaking seal helped diesel syphon back to tank the fitted a new primer and a non return valve

[mumbls]

Always been a strong believer in taking vehicles to those that most frequently work on them, sure its more $ per hour but they usually take less time.

When I cant be f00ked, dont have time or am out of my depth I go n see the guys at Motor tech 4x4 (blue? building down hillside in wairau) or All Tech.

$75 an hour but never had any issue.

In saying that, feel free to recommend mechanics that are cheaper on the shore that are decent

$75 an hour - you say its a bit more. where are you, gore? cant get someone to eyeball your car for a $100 at 1000m here

[nzlux]

Changed the fuel tank (old one had rust hole) and diesel filter, now the primer pump won't go hard, but as I filled the filter prior to refitting the hilux still starts.
Is it worth getting a new primer / looking for possible air holes in the line or just fit a non return valve?
If I fit a non return valve I assume it goes on the line from the tank just before the filter, am I correct?