Questions and Answers

Mitsubishi Pajero TD Hard Start Q. Dear Sir, I own a Mitsubishi Pajero 2800 TD automatic transmission. This always very hard to start in morning and it's more worse while the tank with is not full. I been change the nozzle, diesel filter and heater but it seem can't solve its cause with fuel tank, fuel pump or some sensor. This is using OBD-II. I hope sir can help me to solve it. Thank you...

A. Mitsubishi did not bring a 2.8 liter turbo diesel engine into the U.S. so I don't have any specific experience or information on that vehicle. So the only help I can offer is with diesel engines in general.

The most important thing in cold starting a diesel engine is the glow plugs. If one or more glow plugs are dead, the engine will be difficult, if not impossible, to start. Glow plugs are easy to check. Disconnect the wires, or power bar, going to the glow plugs. Connect a test light to the POSITIVE side of the battery and touch the tip to the glow plug. If it lights, the glow plug is good. If not, it needs to be replaced.

Even if you find only one bad glow plug, I would recommend replacing the all.