Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

My 99 LWB 2.8 Intercooler Diesel gives me problems when I start and temperatures are under 6 - 8°.

I pre-glow minimum 1 minute, start, engine starts immediately, than, after I drive 50 to 100 m, suddenly dies.

Pre-glow again, start, pushing the gas pedal heavily down to the bottom while idling, it comes back again. It feels as if the last drip of Diesel is needed to get there.

After the second start everything is ok and no more problems are coming up.

Even with cold weather during the day and lower temperatures, no problem till the next morning.

My mechanic told me its the starter motor, but I can't believe that. I've had those problems already last winter, was fine since than till we went into Kgalagadi in May.

Whats your opinion?

Had a similar problem a good few years ago on my 1999 SWB 2.8tdi eventually found the diesel fuel regulator had to be removed & parts inside were worn. There is a specialist in Pinetown who do a overhaul replacement.They take your unit & give you one they have done up & calibrated.No problem since.

Before you go looking at big problems check out the small logical ones first. The symptons described are typical of a fuel supply problem and possibly not a temperature problem.

Let it stand through the day for the same time period and then try it. If it still is a problem (not temp related) then check your fuel supply pipes. Look for cracked pipes, bad connections / around the filter / anywhere it can suck air. If it can suck air it could be the fuel draining back to the tank when it stands for long enough.

If it is definitely a temp issue will be another story.

Its definitely a temperature problem.

Our mechanic build a non-return-vavlve in, but that did not help.

I want to exchange the glow plugs this week and test if that helped.

Sounds like the Injector Pump front seal. Replacement is not expensive, but the timing needs to be on TDC before the IP is removed.

I had the exact same problem with my 96 Pajero 2800 TDI. Only happened in the morning and then ran fine the rest of the day. It turned out to be a diesel pump regulator issue. My quick temporary fix was to fit an electric fuel pump before the fuel filter to supply the pressure needed, solved my issue! Will look at re-doing the diesel pump soon though!

I have the 99 SWB 2.8 TDi as well and have had the same issues.

If the glow plug is the issue, it will struggle to start.... a lot! when if does eventually start, there will be plenty of smoke and it will sound as if the engine is missing till it gets warm enough to run. You say, yours starts easily and then later runs out of steam.

The same happened to me and it was the diesel pump. Had it reconditioned and all issues were at an end. I'm not 100% on the details of the pump itself.

Having had both issued, I would put my money on diesel supply issues.

Had the same issue with mine. Front injector pump seal replaced. Problem solved.