Starting issues

[Paj People 2009]

Hi Guys,

Our Paj (NT Oct 2009), sometimes takes quite a few turns to start - up to 8-10 or so, then gives out a big puff of white smoke on start up.

Is it from the cold weather? Is it in need of a new starting battery? We keep both batteries on the C-Tek charger at least twice per week.

Is it some starting up part?

Once running, no problems and starts first time after that.

What is the white smoke? It never smokes any other time.

Any advise appreciated, thanks.

Cheers,
Sally

[Faereag]

Hi Guys,

Our Paj (NT Oct 2009), sometimes takes quite a few turns to start - up to 8-10 or so, then gives out a big puff of white smoke on start up.

Is it from the cold weather? Is it in need of a new starting battery? We keep both batteries on the C-Tek charger at least twice per week.

Is it some starting up part?

Once running, no problems and starts first time after that.

What is the white smoke? It never smokes any other time.

Any advise appreciated, thanks.

Cheers,
Sally

Hi Sally

Cold weather is never good for battery cranking power, but the faulty glow plugs or the related control unit can produce white smoke in cold conditions. Built up carbon deposits on rings can also produce this. There are other possibilities like glazing, but if the white smoke ONLY appears at start up in the cold, it may simply be low battery out put to the glow plugs, but I would certainly monitor the issue just in case it is the precursor to something more serious (compression - injectors etc).

I occasionally get it in extreme cold (last 6 years), and I also top up/charge up the batteries regularly.

[Paj People 2009]

Thanks Rory!

Yes, ony does it on start up....sometimes..... and has only happened with these cold nights.

Hopefully just the battery really. But will keep an eye on it.

Is it worth asking the dealer to check the glow plugs (if they can be checked) at service?

Thanks again,
Sally

[Paj People 2009]

Hi again,

Does sound like the battery, but it is only 13 months old??

I am getting the guy to come around Monday to test it and replace under warranty if applicable.

Quite unbelievable if it is - it is a Bosch S5 -meant to be the RR of batteries, with a 3 year warranty!

What else can you do but keep it on a charger when not in use??

Getting sick of replacing these batteries within 2 years all the time!

Cheers,
Sally

[underdog]

Mine has been doing exactly the same thing lately :/ will have to investigate.

[Paj People 2009]

Hi,

Please let us know if yours turns out to be the battery or something else. I'll do the same!

Funny how it happens in winter, bit sus!

Cheers,
Sally

[Hill]

Glow plugs would be worth checking if battery OK.

Hill

[Lost1]

On my daily driver when I was living up north I would get 6-7 years out of a cranking battery. Down south I only get about 4 years out of the same battery. Around July-August when we start to see some minus overnight temps, a tired battery will struggle to crank the engine over.

If the Pajero is parked up for long periods these days it might pay disconnect the battery when you park it up. Or you could fit an isolation switch rather than connecting/disconnecting batteries. Either would be better than replacing a battery every 2 years.

[Paj People 2009]

Thanks guys, if not the battery, will check the glow plugs.

The Paj is never parked up for longer than about 10 days every 2-3 months when we are away. We leave the battery connected to the C-Tek charger in that case, as it is during the week 2-3 times. That's why I don't get it! If it is connected to the charger when not in use, how can these batteries run down??

Cheers,
Sally

[Faereag]

Sally the mechs can test them for a cost, but it can be done at home (if you are so inclined). It is a test of the resistance using an ammeter, but the plugs need to be removed.

[old Jack]

Thanks guys, if not the battery, will check the glow plugs.

The Paj is never parked up for longer than about 10 days every 2-3 months when we are away. We leave the battery connected to the C-Tek charger in that case, as it is during the week 2-3 times. That's why I don't get it! If it is connected to the charger when not in use, how can these batteries run down??

Cheers,
Sally

Hi Sally,

If your C-Tek charger is a trickle charger and you leave the battery electrically connected to the car then it could be possible that your C-Tek charger does not give enough charge to compensate for the standby drain of the vehicles ECU's and dual battery control system. Have you had the standby drain tested and is your C-Tek up to the job?

OJ.

[zepps]

I had these exact starting issues a little while back. I too was concerned when seeing white smoke appear when the engine needed to crank 5-8 times before starting. I had the battery tested and it showed OK so I left it in. While away fishing one evening, I was using my head lights to help pack up and the battery lost its kick so I couldn't turn over the engine. Pulled out my battery pack, jumped, and the engine exploded into life after 1-2 cranks.

Replaced the so called OK battery with a decent 810 CCA battery and all of my starting problems have disappeared, including the white smoke.

Cold morning I notice it takes and extra crank to start but thats just confirming what others have said. If your battery is 3 years old or more, I'd be pointing my finger that way.

zepps

[Glastonbury]

All,
If valve clearances have been done during summer, it is common for the glow plug fusible link to be earthed out by mechanics, glow light still works, but does not glow and you don't notice till winter and it cools down. Fusible link is easy to check as well.
Cheers Drew

[Paj People 2009]

Hi Guys,

Had the battery tested today - all ok.

Must be the glow plugs - will get them checked out at the dealer. Isn't a constant problem, which is annoying.

OJ, I think the C-Tek is okay, have used it on both the Jeep and Paj for the past couple of years and all batteries seem to be reaching full and staying there. Other batteries in good condition. Haven't had the standby drain tested though. Charger is the MX7000 7 amp - meant to be left on long term.

Battery is only 14 months old.

Cheers,
Sally