Help! Hilux 1994 SSRX slow starting & loss of power

[Hiluxsurfssrx1994]

Hey guys, My much loved Hilux is having trouble turning over, particularly when its cold or sitting for several hours. It cranks fine, but takes a good ten seconds or so before it fires, almost as if its waiting for sufficient fuel to be delivered to the engine (you can hear it wanting to fire). When the engine does start, the Revs sit below the normal idle rev range for about 30 seconds, then the revs lift and its good to drive for 15 minutes or so.

After 15 minutes if i stop the vehicle (say at an intersection), the revs drop below normal idle and i lose power, no throttle/acceleration. If i put it into neutral the revs jump back up to normal idle (the engine will rev fine in neutral) but as soon as i put it back into gear (under load) the revs drop below normal idle and there is no acceleration. The only way to overcome this and start moving forward again is rev the engine in neutral ( to 1200-1500 revs) and drop into gear. Then the truck lunges forward and your underway driving again, (not healthy!).

Has anyone experienced this before or heard of this problem? Any ideas of someone who might be able to help? Would greatly appreciate anyones feedback.

Its a 3L diesel auto. Ive had the Fuel filter , ECU, Lift Pump and Glow Plugs all replaced. Still no improvement. Fuel coming out of the injection pump looks clean as. Cant see any leaks. Engine blows no smoke at all. Its turning into quite a puzzle.

[mudlva]

Head gasket sceeping water into cylinder?

[Hiluxsurfssrx1994]

Right, thanks, will check if I can see any bubbles in the coolant. Drove the vehicle 500km the other day and coolant levels look fine. Could be a small leak tho. Will keep you posted.

[mike]

Mine suffers from something like this when the tank is extremely low. Sometimes it's almost impossible to start with out having to use that pump on the fuel filter. I had to get a non return valve fitted there to stop the fuel draining back to the tank (g guys motors idea) which seems to have fixed the issue a little for me. It could be something as simple as fuel starvation. Mine would run fine once going though.

[tweake]

pump the primer untill its hard before starting it. if it starts ok you have air getting sucked into the fuel line.
typically its filter or water sensor o rings (including tap), or the primer itself. but also can be injection pump seal.
replace fuel filter while your at it, any restriction makes the air leak worse.

[Hiluxsurfssrx1994]

Thanks for your help everyone. Finally got there. It was the fuel timing valve/plug. Completely different truck now.

[mudlva]

Thanks for your help everyone. Finally got there. It was the fuel timing valve/plug. Completely different truck now.

Sweet good result.
stocked it wasnt the h.g