SD25 hard to cold start, high EGT

[Knugcab]

Engine: 1985 SD25 in a 720. Euro version with the Bosch VE clone (from what I recall, US versions have another pump?).

Cold starting was impossible when I bought it. It was "willing" to ignite all the time, but was just pouring out greyish smoke, had to use block heater or heatgun in the aircleaner to start. Started immediately when using block heater or heatgun, though running rough for a while (some cylinders missing) when not using block heater.

Swapped out the glow plugs from 1985 (yes still the stock plugs in engine!  :shock: ) for brand new ones, then it starts after glowing a couple of times and after very long cranking. Never on the first try.

Valve clearance checked yesterday, it was perfect.

No starting problems at all when the engine is hot, running on all cylinders when hot, no smoke from the exhaust except for some black smoke on full throttle which seems to be pretty normal for a diesel engine before any emission requirements, though it is pretty gutless. I don't except much from 72 hp in an almost 1700 kg vehicle with 31" tyres, but.....

But the EGT must be very high since after just a short time of running, the exhaust tip is hot enough to burn your hands on...  :shock: So I started to think that the pump timing is way off? And if that may be the source of the hard starting and gutlessness?

Haven't had the time to check compression yet, neither the injectors (which according to the PO was swapped for new ones some years ago and pressure etc. checked by an experienced diesel mechanic). Though the mileage is quite low (170 000 kilometers if the odometer is correct) so I would be surprised if the cylinder liners are worn out.....  :| Also, there is not very much blowing from the oil filler hole, the oil consumption is normal and no blue smoke. Of course, low compression can have other reasons....  :roll:

Ideas? May I be into something with my pump timing theory?

[wayno]

The VE pump is not that great of a pump, from what I have heard, they wear out fairly fast.

I have a VE pump on one of my diesel engines, if it even sets a couple days the fuel seems to drain back to the tank and it will not start right away, and since it has no primer one cannot prime the pump before starting cold, what I did was put an electric fuel pump back by the tank and that seemed to fix my starting issue, but my pump is worn out, it runs but is a gutless wonder.

My engine also blows black smoke when revved/floored, but most of these engines do.

Your EGTs are another story, you cannot really know what they are unless you have an EGT gauge, I have EGT gauges in both my daily driver diesels, my non-turbo engine has to be deep into the pedal for a while going up a hill to get above 1200 degrees, it's a slow rise after 1200 degrees, but it will get above 1400 degrees if you have it floored long enough, now my turbodiesel is a different story, over 1200 degrees is not that hard to reach, especially when driving hard(spirited driving), but I am dumping more air/fuel into it, and I don't drive that way very often.

Both engines I talked about in the last paragraph are inline pumps on SD25 engines, I gave up on the VE pump as it is on a SD22 engine, and I don't want to use the SD22 engine, it has no power, and the pistons are not made for a turbocharger which is where I am heading for all my diesel engines.

This is my thread on the diesel forum you belong to, as I seen your thread over there also.

http://nissandiesel.dyndns.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3474