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Thermostart operation

Transit Mk3, 4 & 5(smiley front) Forum. All Transits 1986 - 2000

Thermostart operation

Postby Snow white » Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:20 am

Hello People, I'm a new member. Already gratefull for help in replacing timing belt set, setting valves and info about fluids. Just recently bought a 1991 2.5di (non banana) Transit Mk3 Nugget camper. My question regards the cold start system (flame plug, thermostart). I've searched high and low but can't find instructions on how to deploy this system in cold weather. I've got a similar system in my Bedford Marshall bus (330 Bedford diesel motor) but this has a quite obvious button on the dash that must be held in for up to 20 seconds prior to engaging the starter motor. Hopefully somebody can answer my question before the real cold stuff kicks in ;¬)
Even stuff that's broken might fix itself if ignored for long enough.
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Re: Thermostart operation

Postby gotgcoalman » Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:38 am

Not had a mk3 for many years.
From memory the pump has a solonoid on the side
which operates automatically.
No buttons to push.
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Re: Thermostart operation

Postby Snow white » Fri Aug 24, 2018 8:36 pm

Thanks for your quick reply gotgcoalman. You say its automatic, so there is an air temperature sensor somewhere in the system, if I understand correctly? Should I wait twenty sceconds in cold weather to give the system time to warm up the element? Is there a sound to listen for? A light on the dash?
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Re: Thermostart operation

Postby dumper » Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:40 pm

We had one back in the day on the fleet it was listed as a export model for extreme cold conditions and was fully automatic I think from memory it had a sensor in the block or head it had a light on the dash to tell you if it was working never ever sore it come on it also had twin batteries it’s not often in the uk that a di will not start in winter unless it’s got problems
MK 8 L4 H3 Motorsport campervan
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1974 mk1 v4 with 2.0 pinto fitted
1986 mk3 2.5 di swb
1990 190 lwb 2.5 di
1998 100 lwb 2.5 di
2006 350 jumbo 135 tdci
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Re: Thermostart operation

Postby wojciech » Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:54 am

Early models Mk3/4 with Bosch had solenoid (waxen medium inside) on a pump side. Solenoid has electric heater inside.
During long halt, cold solenoid pull short cord and lever on pomp, speed forward injection and put up idle little bit.
After start electric heater heats solenoid, it also catch temperature from engine - and cord is progressively loosened.
Solenoid was connected to ignition switch (to start-stop solenoid in injection pomp) through temperature sensor switch in engine block. Sensors switch is on only when engine got adequate temperature. Then electric heater in solenoid started to heat solenoid after 10-15 minutes after cold start. Practically it is too much of a good thing, system works very good (still long time after start) also without temperature sensor switch (solenoid connected directly to ignition switch).
Some models had installed on solenoid cord lever special adroit double sleeve - after sleeve turning cord is slack and system doesn't work. It is destined for summer time, for warm weather. It is a very good patent, because solenoid is not too much enduring, but expensive.
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Re: Thermostart operation

Postby Snow white » Sun Sep 09, 2018 11:32 am

Thanks for the information. I'll just sit tight now until winter bites in and see if the system kicks in. :D
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