T4 1.9 turbo smokes like ****

[dangerousdog]

Hello Im new here just bought a 96 1.9 tdi T4,only problem so far is I get cloulds of smoke (an embarressing amount) when I start it from cold,this goes away after 1/4 mile and is fine for the rest of the day.
I put 3 new glow plugs in as I could.not reach the 3rd from left one ! Im getting about 40 to the gallon and top speed is about 75 seams about right.
So any ideas as to whether its turbo head or rings...Its only got 69,000 on the clock with mots back to 2004 when it had 36,000 passes emmisions ok

Thanks chaps

Oh did notice there is a micro switch ontop of the diesel pump that has its arm missing...Don't know what that does either

[ferretflasher]

Hi there smokeydog, you do not say what colour smoke you get when shes cold, Im guessing it will be blue-white-grey clouds of billowing smoke. It sound like you are missing some compression when its cold, this is typical of low mileage engines that have never been serviced correctly and there is a fair amount of ring wear all due to some tight-fisted owner who never changed their oil because they thought the van never did much mileage!!
I would get a compression test done first and see what you have when cold. As the engine warms up all the gaps and clearances close up due to heating then the compression will get better and you then have better combustion and hence less smoke!
Dont know what that switch is though, might be a fast idle jobbie. Anyway someone will be along soon with details of what its function is!
FF2

[Moose man]

Hello.
Does it start up OK or do you have to crank it for ages and it suddenly bursts into life??

[dangerousdog]

Aha internets working again....The engine starts within 2 seconds whether its hot or cold,looking like a trip to the diesel specialists,unless an oil change sorts it out as the oil is very black and runny.....what oil is recomended.


Thanks

[zollaf]

does the smoke smell of diesel? if it does you could have an injector leaking fuel overnight, which causes the smoke. try some injector cleaner in the fuel tank.

[passatpal]

Hello Im new here just bought a 96 1.9 tdi T4,only problem so far is I get cloulds of smoke (an embarressing amount) when I start it from cold,this goes away after 1/4 mile and is fine for the rest of the day.
I put 3 new glow plugs in as I could.not reach the 3rd from left one ! Im getting about 40 to the gallon and top speed is about 75 seams about right.
So any ideas as to whether its turbo head or rings...Its only got 69,000 on the clock with mots back to 2004 when it had 36,000 passes emmisions ok

Thanks chaps

Oh did notice there is a micro switch ontop of the diesel pump that has its arm missing...Don't know what that does either

Hi Dangerousdog,

I have EXACTLY the same symptoms in my 1.9 T4 - Mine even has the same mileage as yours - so I too would be very grateful for any advice. Again, like you, The whitish smoke clears after a few minutes and the T4 runs fine for the rest of the day.

Cheers - Bob

[caledonianewan]

the first thing i would get checked was the pump timing. usually thick white smoke.
cheers

[dangerousdog]

just been out for a check its really light bluey white colour(like cigerette smoke) and stinks of diesel,quarter of a mile spin round the block and its gone.oil is still on max and I've been about 500 miles last week

[caledonianewan]

my brother is doing the pump timing on an Lt just now, i asked him, he says it is most likely a slightly stretched belt.

[zollaf]

if it stinks of diesel i would say its a leaking injector. fuel dribbles into the cylinder overnight and burns off when you start with clouds of smoke being produced. once its gone its fine for the rest of the day until its had time to leak overnight again. if you remove the injectors and take them to a diesel specialist they can test them for leakage and refurbish as required. I would check the timing belt though and get the oil changed.