2.5TD starting issues and running hot

[V8MoneyPit]

OK, stupid question, but what is the correct starting procedure for this vehicle? I've never had an old diesel LR before!

Whe you hold the key half way against the spring, the 'choke' light illuminates. I understand this is heating the glow plugs. How long should I hold this for before starting it? It doesn't start very well. When cranking, it coughs and splutters, but takes some time before it 'catches' and runs.

The engine is good and strong when running with plenty of torque. The only other issue I find is that it runs very hot when driven at over 60mph for any legth of time. Never boils, just sits a little below the hot end of the gauge. Any ideas?

[TDi90]

a few seconds...

[Xtremeteam]

10-15 seconds of glow plugs for a TD

[V8MoneyPit]

10-15 seconds of glow plugs for a TD

Hmm, that's what I thought Mike. But is still coughs and splutters and doesn't really want to start too easily. The battery looks a bit small. Would a proper sized battery help?

[The Smiths]

It sounds like it may need new glow plugs.

[V8MoneyPit]

It sounds like it may need new glow plugs.

Tried that. Still much the same.

[biggerlandy]

when you do start does just spluter etc for a few revs then clear if so it could be injectors  leaking or valve gides or seals leaking filling up on top of pistons then after a few revs it clears    or it could timming out by a couple of teeth on belt

[biggerlandy]

sorry heating could be thermostat   or very common is gauge reading hotter than it is happens all time

[V8MoneyPit]

Thanks for that. Yes, it does cough and splutter into life! Usually with a large puff of smoke. Then it settles and the smoke clears. Once it's running, it's fine. Pulls like a train!

If it is the injectors, do I simply replace them? Or should they be cleaned? Sorry for the daft questions, but I've never dealt with an oil burner before  :roll:  :D

I did wonder about the gauge reading incorrectly. Once it reaches near the top it stays there pretty much. I might try a different sender unit since they are cheap.

[biggerlandy]

if injectors you can try a cleaner in tank but it might pay to take of and get reconditiond at diesil garage

[sas pinkie]

mmmm struggle to start.... splutters for a little then clears...... gets hot when ruuning over 60, sounds like head gasket or worse cracked head to me. These engines are common for this!

[V8MoneyPit]

mmmm struggle to start.... splutters for a little then clears...... gets hot when ruuning over 60, sounds like head gasket or worse cracked head to me. These engines are common for this!

Would the engine still pull strongly though? I'll maybe get a compression check done on it anyway.

[sas pinkie]

My Td5 pulled fine and showed none of the "usual"head gasket symptons. It was doing EXACTLY what your was doing, only it was also using a small amount of water on really long journeys, and that had a cracked head between Piston no1 &2.  :shock:  Good luck

[Chris Putt]

We use one at work and its just a bit of a pain to start. We usually end up glowing it for anything up to a minute.......But to be fair our one is VERY VERY tired having spent the last couple of years doing nothing but 4x4 tuition in the quarry and continually getting wet over the bonnet.

If you try to start it quickly (ie 15 secs) then turn it over it tries to start then eventually fires up and runs like a bag of nails for about 15 seconds so you have to keep your foot resting on the GO! pedal for a little while until it decides to play ball.

[electricbluebadger]

used to give mine 30 seconds when it was still a TD, as for running hot.. yep they are prone, the rad is probably blocked or rotten, the TD rad has a habit of looking perfectly clear from the front but if removed and cowling taken off they are often blocked solid at the back, also removal and back flushing with a hose may help as it will more than likely be 'silted up'

and yes the heads are very prone to going and running hot is often the first sign

TD engines... the spawn of satan.... :)

Cheers Steve

[V8MoneyPit]

My Td5 pulled fine and showed none of the "usual"head gasket symptons. It was doing EXACTLY what your was doing, only it was also using a small amount of water on really long journeys, and that had a cracked head between Piston no1 &2.  :shock:  Good luck

Hmmm..... not good. I checked the water last night and it took a couple of litres  :?

Maybe a change of plan with which engine goes in the project. Back to the V8???? But I am getting used to 30mpg now  :lol: Or Mikee's suggestion of a 200TDi if I can find a good one.

How easy is it to swap from 2.5TD to 200TDi? I'm having a new wiring harness, so I can get one made to suit.