Mahindra Classic won't start when HOT Dear Jeep enthusiasts,
As I am new to this forum, let me first introduce me and my Jeep. In 2008 I was lucky to be able to buy a Mahindra Classic, 1999 model, first sold in the year 2000. At that time I was living and working in Bangalore as an expat. The Jeep had undergone some modifications and I brought it back as much as possible to the original state, which is easily done in Bangalore as there is ample Classic support and spares available. As the Jeep is in a good condition I did not need to do much.
Not so long ago I left India for a new challenge oversees and of course one never parts of such valuable asset and therefore I shipped the Jeep to my new home here in Malaysia.
One of these days I will share the story of how I got the Classic and the import saga into my new country, both quite interesting experiences.
First however, I want to get my Classic going as it should be going. The issue is that it has a persistent starting problem. It is very annoying actually. Let me explain in a little more detail.
Once the diesel engine is running, all is well. It never fails while running, the sound is magnificent and the engine gives all its strength to the Jeep. “Getting it running” that is where the current problem lies. When it’s cold, the engine starts up without any issues during 80% of the starting attempts. 10% of the time it starts with a little difficulty (and there it comes) during the remaining 10% it does not start at all. I leave it until the next day and then most of the time it starts without an issue.
Surprisingly, starting the engine when it is hot proves to be even more difficult. So I have been driving the Jeep for say half an hour, park it somewhere and switch off the engine. After a few minutes I want to continue my journey and guess what, 8 out of 10 cases it just won’t start anymore. I need to leave it for an hour or so and then I am back into the starting gamble of a cold engine as described earlier.
I would wholeheartedly agree that a pristine Jeep like a Mahindra Classic is allowed to have a little mind of her own, but this situation is just over the top and it needs a solution. You can imagine that, as a result of this problem, I am reluctant to take out the Jeep and sometimes I go shopping for a little while and leave the engine running idle at the parking lot to prevent getting stuck there with a non-willing Jeep.
Since I am probably the only Mahindra Classic owner in Malaysia (please correct me if I am wrong) it is not easy to get the appropriate support here. I do not have a User’s Manual, no electrical drawings and there is limited skilled knowledge of Classic Jeeps with the mechanics that I have met here. The good news is that there is a small Mahindra dealer/workshop in Kuala Lumpur where I have access to spare parts. (Recently the water pump broke down and I could source a new pump through that contact, though it took two Months to get this particular part imported into Malaysia).
Is there anybody on this forum who recognises my problems and can advise?
What I have done in the mean time (when it comes to the starting problem):
• got the Jeep fully serviced
• installed a new heavy duty battery
• and a new starter motor which was not so good anymore
• confirmed that electrical current is actually flowing through all four heaters
Now cranking quality is superb, so that can not be the issue. I only use high quality diesel from a well known international brand.
When I turn the ignition key half way a yellow light comes on for about 15 seconds. Then this yellow light goes off and at the same time I hear a clear “click”, presumably as a result of the heaters being switched off automatically. Only then I attempt a start with the results as described above.
Back in Bangalore I had similar starting problems but not half as severe as I experience here in Malaysia. The climate is more humid out here compared to Bangalore, but then again it is a diesel engine and humidity should not affect starting quality, should it?
The only other problem that I can think of is that the spray nozzles could be fouled and as a result the diesel spray quality is less than optimal. I am a bit reluctant to open the engine to investigate as it runs so well, once running.
I’d really appreciate your expert advice.
Thanks you! |