Diesel 1.7: Keeping her sweet?

[Ant_3000]

Hi there,

I have a 1988 1.7 watercooled diesel hightop van. Had her about a year now and no problems yet (touch wood) with her, apart from taking a looooong time to start in the cold.

My question is, apart from checking the oil and water/antifreeze is topped up, and that her tyres are the right pressure, is there anything else I should be doing on a regular basis is make sure she's running at her best?

FYI, I did about 5k miles last year. Oh and I'm a newbie when it comes to mechanics, in fact, she's our first motorised vehicle!

Thanks for your help and advice, Ant.

P.S> On a different note, the accelerator pedal grates every so slightly when you press down on it - i think its the cable scraping slightly, should I get this sorted asap or is it ok to ignore for a while?

[HarryMann]

P.S. On a different note, the accelerator pedal grates every so slightly when you press down on it - i think its the cable scraping slightly, should I get this sorted asap or is it ok to ignore for a while?

Yes, it can be a number of things but if it sticks badly or even breaks you're in trouble!

It could be:

Actual pedal
The crank arm that slides against the pedal (the hole/slot can become worn so arm drops out, or the little spigot wirn)
The crank pivot seizing

or any part of the cable, front or back requiring cleaning lubing
or a strand of wire coming from from the cable

=============================

Cold starting = glow plugs or poor compression
Keep the oil and filetr changed frequently

[Ant_3000]

Thanks - what should I lube the cable with? and how frequently is frequently to change the oil and filter?

[peasant]

Thanks - what should I lube the cable with? and how frequently is frequently to change the oil and filter?

every 5k miles (or less) / at least once a year is about right (the more often , the better, no need for expensive synthetic oil)

As it takes long to start ...get your glowplugs checked

[HarryMann]

People use almost anything to lube the cables... engine oil. Try to inject it down from the engine end for that section. Its a funy old thing, with two seleeves in places... I'm not sure if the 1700 is an odd-ball cable, Simon Baxter will tell you more, if its same as 1600 NA (CS) or not. But people do change the whole thing (it'd be 2? years old probably), though the GSF ones are not quite the same gauge, a bit thinner I think.

PS. Take the indicator out to get a better look at the throttle crank-arm setup, underneath you can get at it too, but can't see it very well.

IF it won't start well when cold, what is the glow-plug light doing - how long staying on before it goes off (if at all) ?

Oil, yes, 3,000 I'd say but defintely by 5,000

And the fuel filter, if has a drain under it, check that (wiv rubber gloves on!), see if any water comes out, change the fuel filter every couple of years anyway (ish) ?

[Ant_3000]

I've not changed oil/filters before, but just bought the JK manual which should give me some pointers I hope - I looked at the wiki but there's only instructions for the petrol engine. I wonder if a diesel is very different? DO I need specialist tools for this?

WIll take a look at the accelerator cable this weekend hopefully too.

The glow plug lamp lights up for about 30-45 seconds before going out, usually you need to do this 3-4 times before trying to start, the engine starts after turning the key and pumping the pedal for about 30-40 secs. I think I need to get some new glow plugs probably.

Cheers, Ant

[macccityrocker]

Hi there, i have the same engine as you, the glow plug lamps usually light up for about 15 secs before starting on mine, is your battery ok? i only ask as i have just changed mine and it seems to start much easier, might be worth checking before you change glow plugs.........

[Ant_3000]

Hi there, i have the same engine as you, the glow plug lamps usually light up for about 15 secs before starting on mine, is your battery ok? i only ask as i have just changed mine and it seems to start much easier, might be worth checking before you change glow plugs.........

great tip -thanks for that - how will I know if the batteries ok - is there a way of testing?

[peteabbott]

On my 1700 diesel (now defunkt) it was always a sod to cold start until someone on here pointed out THE COLD START pull out thingy. The square shaped thingy on the dash about 60mm X 30mm just near your left knee (if RH drive) Mine was a job to start cold or hot without pulling this out. Hope this helps mate and not too vague.

[HarryMann]

If anyone is interested, I have a spare 1700 head, stripped, but with the cam & followers (somewhere)

[Ant_3000]

Thanks for the help everyone - I decided to just get a garage to replace the plugs - now she starts first time every time.

Wish I'd done it at the beginning of winter!