Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

essentuki · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Russia

I own a 1999 Isuzu MU 3 litre Turbo Diesel.

I do not own ANY technical manuals/owners handbooks and am having problems starting the vehicle.

I live in Southern Russia and last night the temperature was minus 12.

My current battery is a Toyota Genuine Part and is rated at 72 amp/hour, it would not start the vehicle this morning!

Mind you, I bought the battery as a replacement 3 years ago when I lived in Cyprus. Probably okay for those conditions but NOT for conditions in Russia.

What battery would people recommend?

Many thanks, waiting for a reply before I go out to purchase a new one. Currently stuck 300 kilometres from home, a quick reply would be very much appreciated.

Regards,

Jeff Gordon

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Philp · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:55 Post subject:

As big capacity as you can get in that case size. I've started my 2.8 MK1 Trooper in minus 16C with no problems but if the battery is getting old it won't help. IMO your best buy would be a block heater of some sort so you can warm the engine before you start either a plug in electrical one like a Kenlowe hotstart or a fuel burner like the Eberspacher units. Both can be used with a timer to preheat the engine before you get up.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

dxmedia · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:03 Post subject:

72 ah would be fine for ciprus, running the dual batteries over here it's the equivilant of 110 ah, so have a look at something around that figure or greater? Try getting the largest battery you can phsically fit (tractor / truck) should solve the problem Very Happy

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essentuki · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Russia

Chris B · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:36 Post subject:

The 3.0 in the UK is fitted with dual batteries... a single battery will not provide enough power to start in -12 conditions.

I will try and find out what size they are fitted with and post back asap.
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Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE | 265/65R18 BF Goodrich AT LTM No.60

rangielover · **** Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 276 Location: West wales

this is the 4jx1 MU, basically a frontera.

is the oil too thick in these cold conditions?

dxmedia · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 14:29 Post subject:

The stock battery on the 3.1 is a 069 and there are two. I'd go for the largest 12v battery you can find. You can't cause any damage (as long as the top of the battery is clear of any metal)

There are no issues with putting a 'too big' battery in an electrical circuit - the circuit will only pull the power it requires.
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01553 845 945

essentuki · Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Russia

Philp · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 17:53 Post subject:

Like I say, get the biggest battery in that case size you can find. I use a diesel transit battery to start my 5.7L V8, biggest I could find. As others have said, there is no such thing as too big. If you are in an area that is regulalrly this cold in winter then a twin battery conversion would be a good idea and if you have to stay away from your heated garage a lot then invest in a fuel burning block heater.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus

Chris B · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 17:58 Post subject:

It might be worth checking you are using 5w30 oil... or even 0w30
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Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE | 265/65R18 BF Goodrich AT LTM No.60

Philp · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 18:42 Post subject:

Yeah, it can make a big difference using thinner oil in cold weather. When I got my chevy it had 20W50 in it and it should be 10W30, changed the oil and it started so much better. Theres a scale of oil viscosity vs temp in the owners handbook.
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Phil

96 or is it a 98 Isuzu Bighorn Lotus