1KZ-TE starting like a pig

[bronx89]

1KZ-TE

2 brand new batteries

Starter motor recon

Started starting like a pig the last few weeks. Will turn over anywhere from two to five or six times and then finally fire with a small puff of white smoke. Doesn't smoke at any other time even with foot right up it - cold or hot. When it turns over up to six or so times they get quite slow like it sounds like the batt's are going to die, not fast like they should be or used to be. Have had an elec. leak test done and nothing draining batt's when truck is off. And batt's never go flat.

Does this sound like a diesel filter or pump or something or more like an alternator type thing?

[Jay]

Sounds like glow plug issues to me... either the plugs or the timer.

The air temperature has dropped quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, so sounds more likely that 1 or more glow plugs are knackered. Take a fair bit of juice to get a diesel cranking, hence the starter is slowing after 6 or so turns.

Try glowing 2 or 3 times before cranking and see if that helps.

Jay

[oldblue]

You say they are new batteries, Are they good quality batteries, can you try two other batteries?

[catalystracing]

Sounds like glow plug issues to me... either the plugs or the timer.

The air temperature has dropped quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, so sounds more likely that 1 or more glow plugs are knackered. Take a fair bit of juice to get a diesel cranking, hence the starter is slowing after 6 or so turns.

Try glowing 2 or 3 times before cranking and see if that helps.

Jay

What Jay said ^^

My hilux did the same a few months back, two dead glow plugs.
Got replacements from http://www.staparts.co.nz/
Less than $8 each for my 3L motor.

No issues anymore on these frosty mornings

[Heath]

Its been cold the last few weeks down here in Chch in the mornings (you dont say where you are) and thats what my prado did with buggered glow plugs.

I'm picking glow plugs are past it.

[prado_boon]

Curious as to how long glow plugs should last?

[bronx89]

Always heat the plugs 3 or 4 times when it's a nippy morning even in summer.

Can't recall brand of batteries they were replaced whilst I was living in Aussie but yes they're one of the top brands - expensive jobbies. Found the issue of the slow starter crank, the pos terminal connections were fully tightened but not tight on the terminals themselves so fixed that up and she's full of juice now cranks faaaaaast.

However, still has the rough start. Shakes the truck and is louder than it used to be and a puff of white (or light grey) smoke - also still takes about 3-4 cranks to fire - used to take 1-2 and start nice and smooth.

Still likely a glow-plug thing if it cranks nice and fast but just rough when it fires up and takes an extra crank or two to ignite? How do you tell if they're dead/dieing and are they easy enough to remove?

[evolution02]

Very easy to do. Glow timer is built into engine computer. If in doubt just replace them with genuine plugs from toyota. Their only about $25 each

[Jay]

Good that you found the slow cranking issue - and yes, still sounds like a glow plug or 2 to me.

Easy to test, remove the rail that connects the glow plugs together at the top, remove the plugs - grab a set of jumper leads and connect one end to your battery, and at the other, clamp the negative to the body of the glow plug and hold it with the leads then touch the positive to the tip where the rail that connected them all together was. After a few seconds it should start to glow red, if it doesn't, its not working.

Cheers,

Jay.

[slide]

Always heat the plugs 3 or 4 times when it's a nippy morning even in summer.

Not a wise idea

[bronx89]

Thanks evolution02 and Jay!

slide, care to elaborate?

[catalystracing]

Just another thought, one of my blown glows had a direct short and took out the fuse, put that on ya to do list also..