I think that it does only blow cold at top and warm at the bottom.

thanks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

after 4 days in -20 weather battery would barely turn mine over & eventually only got solenoid clicks. no block heater installed yet. Discovered the battery charger/booster was U/S so hooked up to another vehicle battery. even with double glow plug application then I would get firing for 1 ot 2 turns, stop , repeat, firing, then stop, start fring, then stop. after 10 minutes eventually got it to run and it was fine after 10 minute warmup. definitely have to get the block heater install and the battery warmer installed.

afterwards drove therough about 10 miles of bush - about to be converted to snowmobile trails for the season - no sweat. for offroading, with all the weight, works just great!

OK any suggestions for this cold starting thing...My Pajero HATES me. I have the Pad heater and battery warmer and it is a ton better but that 50 gallon drum of hammers, well that pretty much describes it for me on a good day. I know some of you are going "shoulda put in the block heater instead" Well Im here to tell you that once the vehicle is started it is only minutes before nice hot air is blowing inside and even in the girlfriends very warm, very heated underground parkade it doesn't start well either. It blows so much heavy black smoke it's rediculous. Even in her underground which sits about 17 deg celcius I am cycling the plugs 5 - 6 times and still it takes about three times before the engine will run with my foot on the floor. Im pretty sure my neighbors love me for smoking out the block, I can't imaging what the people at her place think as they are trying to get into thier cars in the parkade in the morning.

I'm thinking the problem is one of two things or both...Bad or dirty injectors and or glow plugs.

Fuel economy is about 700km on 83-85 liters but all highway driving and 3300rm at 100km/hr (hopefully new tires are gonna help that a bit). Once the vehicle has been run for the day, it starts no problem at all as long as it doesn't sit for hours in -20. Any suggestions?

Well, the block heater completely eliminated my startup smoke, so I plug it in every night once fall comes, on a timer. Only needs a few hours.

But in terms of your situation, couple of suggestions aside from the block heater:

-have you done your fuel filter yet? Also make sure you get the air out of it after install.
-glowplugs, as you mentioned. They're easy to check visually. YOu can also try cleaning "bus bar" that connects them all together, its possible is starting to get all corroded on you.
-dirty EGR valve can also cause smoking, might try cleaning it too.

I give you all these suggestions because even if it doesn't improve your smoking, your truck will run better, and you haven't just thrown parts at it randomly.

Otherwise... how's your batteri(es) for cranking amps. Are they giving you enough juice to completely light those glow plugs? Is your afterglow circuit clicking on and off? Dirty injectors may also be a possibility...but I haven't done mine yet, so I can't speak to them...

Hope this gives you a starting point. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I have been using diesel engines for a while and the only thing that I found that helps stop the "black cold" is a block heater. On the farm it made a huge difference (engines wouldn't start unless they were plugged in when it is cold). I had a Toyota diesel (2L) as well as a Mazda diesel (a pushrod Mitsubishi) before my Pajero and both of them started like a dream when plugged in. I want to get a block heater for my Pajero but just haven't got around to it yet. I would get the block heater ASAP you wont be disappointed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

The block heater is the best!!!!! It made a huge difference and was not all that hard to do.

I will put money on your glowplugs not working properly...sounds like you have a dead one. I have a spare set sitting in my glovebox for a rainy (or blizzarding) day. I would change your fuel filter first thing as it probably hasn't been changed in a while. Baldwin part #BF7534. they are pretty cheap too!!!

on another note, CHECK YOUR TIMING BELT!!!!! doesn't matter what mileage it has, it should be changed every 100,000km or 5-years. Phil is the biggest procrastinator I have seen with this hahaha. I changed mine at 117,000km and I was so lucky it didn't break, my front crank seal was leaking HORRIBLY and that can easily take out the balance shaft belt which in turn gets piled up in the timing belt.

So here is what I know...I was doing the lift the other day and at the same time did another oil change and changed the fuel filter. Immediately the vehicle started better and the heavy black smoke turned more to a not so heavy but still kinda heavy blue smoke. The batteries are giving lots of juice but the rail that connects the glow plugs did look a bit dirty or hazy. Sorry, not a diesel guy so forgot the name of it already. I am going to change the timing belt and water pump etc next week as I have all of the parts and will look at the glow plugs. Also will check the EGR and give it a good cleaning. If all else fails I will do the block heater but the motor is fairly warm to the touch after a few hours plugged in with the oil pan heater (compared to outside that is) so I am not quite convinced of doing that mod right now. I may just do it next year as I know it wont hurt but winter is here and a heated garage I don't have. Thanks all for the suggestions..They are greatly appreciated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

your pajero will always throw blue smoke when its cold. mine fills the street with smoke on a cold morning after about 4 trys of starting it after it stalls. I would run some good fuel conditioner through your truck because it probably has never had any in it and in Japan there diesel is MUCH cleaner than ours. I ran 1/3 of a bottle of "redline diesel fuel catalyst" every fill-up since I have owned it, I have just recently switched to "Stanadyne lubricity formula" as my engine seems to like it better for fuel mileage. If you don't run anything, over time all the seals in your pump will dry out and your injectors will slowly fail.