Yesterday I bought an '82 Chevy 3/4 ton with the 6.2L diesel. The engine runs alright but seems a little down on power. Strangely, tonight it seemed to suddenly have much more power. Anyway there are a few little things that I am not sure about and I was hoping that someone could help me out.

1) The glow plugs are coming on while the engine is running. Do I need to replace the glow plug solenoid thing or is the problem with the glow plugs themselves?

2) Cold starting requires holding the pedal at part throttle to get it to fire. Is this normal? I don't remember ever having to do this on any other diesel before.

3) Also at cold start, a big cloud of smoke comes out the exhaust. Is this normal?

The engine sounds fine, nothing out of the ordinary. I have no idea how many miles are on this thing. I am guessing that it has been used to run around the city for at least a few years in it's life. I plan to have the injectors cleaned. What else is there that may need to be checked, cleaned or replaced to make this engine start easier and run better.

1. Are they just cycling on for a few seconds at a time after a cold start? If so, this is normal, particularly in colder weather.

2. Yes, its normal. 6.2s are mechanically injected, this is common for a mechanical diesel injection system. If you want, I can go read the starting instructions off the visor on mine (I think the sticker is still there/readable).

3. Normal.

Once you get used to the truck, it will be easier to start it and may smoke less at start up. This applies to mechanical injected diesels in general, not just 6.2s.

Pete

Originally posted by pcorssmit
1. Are they just cycling on for a few seconds at a time after a cold start? If so, this is normal, particularly in colder weather.

Even when the engine is up to temperature the glow plugs come on for a few seconds and then shut off then come on and shut off ...etc.

Thats not normal. It could be either the controller or the relay (on the fender behind the driver's side batt, looks like a Ford starter solenoid). I had a relay that came on and stayed on by itself driving down the highway one day, by the time I got stopped it was too late and the plugs were fried.

Pete

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
Yesterday I bought an '82 Chevy 3/4 ton with the 6.2L diesel. The engine runs alright but seems a little down on power. Strangely, tonight it seemed to suddenly have much more power. Anyway there are a few little things that I am not sure about and I was hoping that someone could help me out.

1) The glow plugs are coming on while the engine is running. Do I need to replace the glow plug solenoid thing or is the problem with the glow plugs themselves?

2) Cold starting requires holding the pedal at part throttle to get it to fire. Is this normal? I don't remember ever having to do this on any other diesel before.

3) Also at cold start, a big cloud of smoke comes out the exhaust. Is this normal?

The engine sounds fine, nothing out of the ordinary. I have no idea how many miles are on this thing. I am guessing that it has been used to run around the city for at least a few years in it's life. I plan to have the injectors cleaned. What else is there that may need to be checked, cleaned or replaced to make this engine start easier and run better.

1st-All 3 ques. are normal for a diesel. I have heard from owners in cold areas (up north) the best investment to have for a diesel is what they call a "block warmer". You basically plug it into a ext. cord and when you jump in it in the morning it starts easier, runs smoothly, and you have instand heat :eek: . It helps with being less tear on the motor to from "cold starts".

If its doing the number 1 in any gear other than Park or Neutral, then its not normal. Mine does that too until I put it in Drive.

k, it's not because it is cold outside. It was at least 50 degrees here on the weekend. I can hear the relay thing beside the battery clicking on and then off again and the glow plug light comes on at the same time, while driving. Is there a way that I can isolate this problem?