I know this is the 6.2 forums but idk who else to ask. :sorrysign Basically the car cranks fine but wont start up when its like 40* out or so. Earlier this year i installed new glow plugs and a manual controller system with a 50A relay and a momentary contact switch. I also installed a new timing belt so i know that the timing is dead on. I havent been experiencing any drivability problems. When i plug it in for about an hour and cycle the glow plugs it pops right off like it was 80* out. Only thing i can think of is that there is a problem with or lack of activation of a timing advance mechanism to assist in cold temp starts. Heres a link to some pics out of my service manual.

http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy52/gschilling87/

Any help very apperciated.

The timing advance mechanism only affects smoking when the engine is idling and
cold. Has no effect on cold starting. Advances timing to reduce smoke. It's an add on unit. The actual advance is still there.

Suspect glowplugs. Remove all the plugs and test them with a 12 volt hot wire. The plugs should get red hot on the tip. Some will get red in the middle > discard them.

The advance mechanism you have is almost impossible to get any more and if you could get it plan on paying dearly for it.

I have blocked those off, But it does screw up trying to set the timing using the factory method. Other than that I would block it off.

Try finding that info on the net.

Awesome thanks for the info :D

that would explain my ahrd start issues! all my glows get hot in the middle not the tip thanks dieselpro!

Yeah I gotta test mine. Screw it I'm just gonna replace them. If I go through the trouble to pull em, new ones are going in.

I chevette diesel, now there is a rare animal. Chevys answer to the vw rabbit diesel. Wasn't a bad little car other than being gutless but so was the pre turbo rabbits.

Ya the car is a gutless wonder but it keeps me out of trouble and gets amazing mpgs so far ive gotten a record of 56 miles to the gallon.

iT'S EASY TO TURN THE FUEL UP ON IT TO.

if the motor will not start once you have verified the glows are working right, you might wanna test the compression in the cylinders once you have them all out. if there is a harbor freight nearby, a tester is there for around 30. you can also order one online from their site.
you want compression pressures near 400 and no matter what they are, you want them the same or close on all cylinders. test warm if you can, and if the initial readings are low, squirt a VERY small amount of wd-40 in each cylinder, and retest.

Thanks for the info on the compression testing :D. Also how much do I turn up the fuel screw, and where is it located on the pump.

I know this is the 6.2 forums but idk who else to ask. :sorrysign Basically the car cranks fine but wont start up when its like 40* out or so. Earlier this year i installed new glow plugs and a manual controller system with a 50A relay and a momentary contact switch. .

You didn't mention what glow plugs you put into it. If you installed AC-Delco plugs, that is probably your problem. Personally, I think they ought to be sued for selling the incorrect glow-plugs for Isuzu engines as used in Chevy Chevettes, LUVs, S10s, and also Isuzu trucks and Imarks.

Delco has been selling off their inventory of AC33 plugs for years, and they know they are NOT the correct plug. Bosch sells an 80016 which is not much better.

If you put four AC33G Delco or Bosch 80016 plugs in your Chevette with the original glow-plug controller, the first time you start it, one plug (at least) will burn out. Then, after that, the controller will not heat the engine long enough for good starting. The OEM Diesel-Kiki controller works by amp-draw. The less plugs that are working, the less time it keeps them on.

And, if you installed a manual controller? Those plugs will just burn out faster, if you have AC-Delcos.

Buy yourself the correct glow-plugs, hook up the original controller, and it will probably start fine. I've never seen one of those controllers go bad. I've got two diesel Chevettes, a diesel S10, and two diesel Isuzu mini-4WD trucks. All use the same glow-plugs.

OEM glow plug is supposed to handle 50 - 80 watts at 5 volts for 10 seconds. The Delco AC33Gs can't handle 4 seconds. At 12 volts they blow up in two seconds.

Correct plug is a Beck-Arnley # 176-1043 (made in Japan). They are cheap. $8.59 each at Rockauto. Also around in quantities for $2 each.

If you insist on using a manual controller, then you need a totally different, higher voltage glow plugs. Get yourself Thermoking plugs made for full voltage and a manual controller. Thermoking 44-2942. It is a direct fit into your 1.8 Isuzu engine. Rated for 25 amps at 10.5 volts, instead of 5 volts. Also for sale by Delphi as HDS249.

I installed the beck arnley plugs 176-1043 at the same time that i installed that manual controller which is most likely where i went wrong. I pulled out the plugs today and they were all fried. I plan to follow your advice and install a new set of beck arnley plugs and reinstall the factory glow plug controller.
Thank you very much for this info :D:D:D

Moved to All Other GM Diesels...

Wow, I was actually going to ask the same question and this was the only question under this all other gm diesel topic. I have a 83 diesel vette that is doing the same thing. Today I went out and it wont even start, and it is 60 degree weather here. Its always had a issue of starting when it is cold unless I plugged it in, but today it would just crank and crank and crank, and I still have nothing. We have went through a couple sets of the AC delco glow plugs, but they keep burning out because we bypassed the glow plug relay. I could not locate a relay anywhere, so Im sorry to piggyback off of your thread, but what other options are there?
Thanks
Magnum

Its all good thats the part of the reason why i asked this question here. There is very good info at dieselchevette.com but there arent any forums to ask other experienced owners about there trials and tribulations. Thanks to everyone that helped out and also how did you turn the pump up on these little guys?

We have went through a couple sets of the AC delco glow plugs, but they keep burning out because we bypassed the glow plug relay.

Those Delco AC33G plugs will burn right out even WITH the proper controller. They are the wrong plugs for that engine and Delco knows it. I've had many email relays with them on the subject.

What happened to your original Diesel Kiki controller? I've never seen one go bad.

If you want to use a manual push button, Isuzu used a glow plug made for it. Mostly used in the Thermoking refrigeration units used on truck-trailers or C223 turbo setups - but also fit the 1.8 used in Chevettes, 1.8 in Isuzu Imarks, and 2.2s used in Isuzu Pups and Chevy S10s and LUVs.
Thread size M10 x 1.25 and 86.5 mm long.

They are 10.5 to 12 volt plugs instead of the original 5 volt plugs. You can buy from: May as # PI42, or Thermoking # 44-2922 or Delphi HDS249, HDS249, NGK Y-104, Beru 749, and Durite 12 volt version as 0-130-85.

In regard to turning up the pump - it's a waste of time and complicated. Chevette uses a Diesel Kiki pump, made under license from Bosch, and that Bosch was made under license from Stanadyne/Roosamaster. Even though it was a licensed sort-of copy of the Stanadyne pump, the fuel delivery works on a different principle, and it's more than a 10 minute job to turn up the fuel. Besides, the 1.8 in the Chevette will just waste the extra fuel if you DO turn it up.

Its all good thats the part of the reason why i asked this question here. There is very good info at dieselchevette.com but there arent any forums to ask other experienced owners about there trials and tribulations. Thanks to everyone that helped out and also how did you turn the pump up on these little guys?

How did your diesel Chevette wind up with a Warner T5 trans in it? GM only sold the diesels (if manual) with Isuzu MSG-5K transmissions, RPO code M75.

How did your diesel Chevette wind up with a Warner T5 trans in it? GM only sold the diesels (if manual) with Isuzu MSG-5K transmissions, RPO code M75.

In fifth gear at 65 it is turning at about 2500 rpm going down the interstate at about 75 its in the 2800-3000 range and is very loud and drones quite a bit doesnt help that i put a CAI on the thing.

So i finally got the glow plugs installed today and started to wire my controller back in. Thanks to my service manual i managed to get it wired back up properlly. However still no power to the plugs. I also noticed that i dont have any power coming out of the relays but there is power in. Im thinking that they are toast and the reason why the previous owner decided to hack into the wiring. Any thoughts on the relays going out and any advice of where to obtain the relays if they are truely the cause of my problems would be greatly apperciated thanks all. :D

In fifth gear at 65 it is turning at about 2500 rpm going down the interstate at about 75 its in the 2800-3000 range and is very loud and drones quite a bit doesnt help that i put a CAI on the thing.

I'm still trying to figure out how you fit a T-5 trans into a diesel Chevette? GM never made them that way.

In fifth gear at 65 it is turning at about 2500 rpm going down the interstate at about 75 its in the 2800-3000 range and is very loud and drones quite a bit doesnt help that i put a CAI on the thing.

I just realized that maybe, when I asked how your Chevette "wound up" with a T5 trans, you thought I was asking about RPM? That's not what I meant. GM never made a diesel Chevette with a Warner T5 trans. The diesels only got Isuzu M-series transmissions. So, how did a T5 get installed, and bolted up to the Isuzu engine in your Chevette?

honestly your most likely correct and im just misinformed. *changing sig*

So i finally got the glow plugs installed today and started to wire my controller back in. Thanks to my service manual i managed to get it wired back up properlly. However still no power to the plugs. I also noticed that i dont have any power coming out of the relays but there is power in. Im thinking that they are toast and the reason why the previous owner decided to hack into the wiring. Any thoughts on the relays going out and any advice of where to obtain the relays if they are truely the cause of my problems would be greatly apperciated thanks all. :D

reposting because i havent gotten any responses yet

reposting because i havent gotten any responses yet

There is a lot more to that Diesel Kiki glow-control system then just the controller. It's a great system, but you have to know how it works if you want to diagnose it. It also has two glow functions, fast heat and stabilizing heat - that's why there are two relays.

You've got the controller, fast heat relays, stabilzing heat relay, a dropping resistor, a sensing resistor, a thermo-switch, a fusible link, and four glow plugs that ALL have to be in good shape for the system will not work.

First thing you'd better do is make sure that all those parts are still there and hooked up. If all is there and all is hooked up, the mostly likely part to fail is the $10 thermoswitch. It senses engine coolant temp and won't let the glow plugs work in cold-start mode if the coolant is over 120 degrees F. If it goes bad, the glow plugs won't work at all.

It's an excellent and almost bullet proof system. I suspect it might of had a simple problem at one time that got made a lot more complicated over time.

Hey jdemaris does that go for the isuzi diesle pup on the glow plugs... cause mine is just the motor tranny nothing else... also I have been looking into the refer motors does any of them have a "bellhousing" pattern like a car? like the isuzi or the ol escort deisle?

Hey jdemaris does that go for the isuzi diesle pup on the glow plugs... cause mine is just the motor tranny nothing else... also I have been looking into the refer motors does any of them have a "bellhousing" pattern like a car? like the isuzi or the ol escort deisle?

The 1.8s used in Chevettes and I-Marks and the 2.2s used in PUPs, S10s, and LUVs all use the same glow plugs.

Escort diesel is totally different and it's a Mazda-built European Perkins engine - except for the turbo versions which are Misubishi as I recall.

The Isuzu reefer engines have very little in common with the Isuzu diesels in Pups and Chevettes - other than the glow plugs can be swapped with some.
The reefer engines started life as diesels. The 1.8s and 2.2s used in cars and trucks started out as gas engines. Isuzu later converter them to diesel and this way, many gas transmissions fit, along with a lot of other parts. That's why parts are so scarce for 1.8s and 2.2s, but parts are easy to get and cheap for the reefer engines. I wish they WOULD fit.

JD is absolutly correct, on the Japanese isuzu 1.8 glow system.
I have a 1982 Isuzu I mark 1.8, it is now 28yrs old with,(get this) the original system, never replaced glows or any other part, all original.

other morn temp outside 37F,(said to self,this should be interesting, because 60% veg oil.40%ULSD).

turned on key wait for click from relay(watch volt meter) turn to start, fired on 1st stroke, smooth idle,no noises or shakes, that quick start smooth idle is the best sytem i have ever seen and i have owned many diesel pickups and cars.

i did have to replace the connectors and fuses in the heavy current wiring,near the battery,corrosion and crap,( but 28yrs, give it a break)

40-45 mpg(i get veg free), that darn car cost me $10 in fuel last month.

You buys still got ur vettes? I picked up a 82' last fall. Has a momentary switch wired up and thanks to u guys I was able to get the good plugs for it for 9$ apiece.

The oil in the cylinder is great but WD-40 is a no no.
Since they redesigned the recipe it can actually soak into the metal and
create hot spots in the cylinder.

Ya Ive still got mine and ive since picked up a second one, but its gonna get chopped up here soon i think because my first one has decided to have a few transmission problems and the clutch pedal also decided its a wear item now lol

What's the best timing belt to buy? Happen to have a part number? I'm gettin ready to get mine maintenanced and ready for summer driving since its been in storage all winter.

Any help or pointers appreciated

-jordan

What's the best timing belt to buy? Happen to have a part number? I'm gettin ready to get mine maintenanced and ready for summer driving since its been in storage all winter.

Any help or pointers appreciated

-jordan

This is kinda off topic for this thread, but when i did my timing belt i just got a gates brand from oreillys been great for me so far prolly put about 10k on it. It was like $40 if i remember right, and i did the job myself and turned out fine felt like i couldve used a third hand tho lol. If you want some good info on doing it yourself heres a great site. http://www.dieselchevette.com/

Heres the belt i used http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/GATU/T076.oap?pt=C0074&ppt=C0007

Thanks glen! Don't be surprised if you get some messages in your inbox in the future with more vette tech questions.... lol

Know this is an old thread, but I noticed a Chevette Diesel engine pop up on ebay.. Being that these are rare, figured I'd post it up for you...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/chevette-diesel-engine-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem256691bb9eQQitemZ16063 4616734QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries#ht_500wt_1182

Hi
I am having problems with my glow plugs in my chevette also and have a few questions. I see the originals were 5v but one of you posted alt part #'s for ones with higher voltage for manual use. my question is, what would you suggest for auto use. can i use the ones with higher volts.also none of my glow plugs work and my glow plug light stays on and wont start.

Hi
I am having problems with my glow plugs in my chevette also and have a few questions. I see the originals were 5v but one of you posted alt part #'s for ones with higher voltage for manual use. my question is, what would you suggest for auto use. can i use the ones with higher volts.also none of my glow plugs work and my glow plug light stays on and wont start.

Well first off I could never figure out how to rewire my auto glow plug system since the PO took it all apart. So i just broke down and decided to use a manual setup.

My first question would be whether or not you are getting power to your glow plugs while the wait light is on?

If you do have power to them, then get some good ngk part numbers for a 5v setup and slap them in there. However I notice that the website I was going to refer you to is no long running. So Id say call up the dealer to see if u can get a GM part number then see if u can cross it over on ngk's website.

Once you get a part number call up Oreillys and give it to them. They may need to cross it again so it works in there computer system but some one will still sell them to you Im sure. *Also note that the Ac Delco ones listed in their system wasnt correct for the application last I checked, but it has been a long while since then.

However if there is no power then its really best to go to a manual set-up and use the 12v numbers that I posted up on here on an earlier post. And if you need help wiring them up manually just PM me and Ill help u figure it out. :)

I am getting 12v at the glow plugs. I purchased 4 new AC 33g plugs and put one on upside down and made a ground for it. I then turned the key on and it lit up. after 2 or 3 seconds it started to melt and never lit again. The glow plug light never turned off inside the car. do all of the glow plugs need to be hooked up and working to keep them from burning up, to spread or reduce the volts/amps?

I believe they do all need to hooked up for that original controller to work properly because it has a senor on it that changes the resistance and thus the amperage going to the glow plugs.

Hey if you need a new set of glow plugs? I still have a NIB set from when I still had my dirty diesel Chevette