Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

My 2005 3.2DID (197,500km) is starting a bit more difficult the past week. I thought it was the battery and had it checked - they (Battery Center) found two faulty cells and I had it replaced with a new battery under guarantee this morning. It still does the same.

When I start it up the first time in the morning, it starts with the first turn of the key (the glow plugs come on nicely), but when I drive around town thereafter, it struggles to start immediately once I have stopped somewhere (glow plug light does not come on).

So, is this a glow plug issue then?

I don't think so.

The fact that it starts well when cold, says glow plugs are OK.
Check fuel filter.

How difficult does it start?

4e,

It used to start immediately, now it takes 3-4 times longer to start. I replaced the fuel filter during the last service, so I cant think it would be that.

Is there a way to check/test the glow plugs? The glow plug light does not come when I try to start it again in town.

Just checked it again - I have been home for about an hour now and started it again: The glow plug light came on, but very very quickly where after it struggled to start again.

Very weird.

When the engine is warm, the glow plugs should not come on at all.
Switch to "On", but don't start.
When GP light goes out, switch off.
Switch "On" again and when light goes out, try to start.

Any different?

it could be a stuck open EGR valve (when hot)

or the idle butterfly is ill adjusted

see my thread about it here - https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3035

No difference.

I wonder if the engine can read or monitor the glow plugs? Or does it simply read the engine temp and then turn the glow plugs on for a calculated time period? So, it does not read the glow plugs, but only the engine temps? Therefore, should a glow plug be damaged or not work 100% it wont affect the GP time period calculations?

4ePikanini wrote:it could be a stuck open EGR valve (when hot)

or the idle butterfly is ill adjusted

see my thread about it here - https://www.pajeroclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3035

I had no problems with the idle previously and nobody set it differently, so it could be the EGR valve - it seems like the hotter the engine the more difficult it is to start.

Thank you - I will check out your thread 4e.

Is the EGR valve and idle diaphragm the same thing?

Mac,

This isn't related to a specific tank of fuel is it?

I recall that my 2006 DiD sometimes did that for a specific tank of fuel and then perfect for many tanks again.

Roelf