Thread: 1994 300tdi Blowing smoke

How old is your timing belt? Replacing mine recently (with a suspected 95 000km on it) stopped similar smoking issues and gave me a noticeable increase in power. A stretched timing belt is not something that's likely to suddenly happen though, as in your case.

James.

Originally Posted by rainman

How old is your timing belt? Replacing mine recently (with a suspected 95 000km on it) stopped similar smoking issues and gave me a noticeable increase in power. A stretched timing belt is not something that's likely to suddenly happen though, as in your case.

James.

Thanks james,

I think my Timing belt was last done in 2009 ( Prior to me owning he vehicle) It may possibly be the timing belt and this may also be causing the scaping if one of the Timing pullie bearings is going.

What colour was your smoke?

Cheers

Pete

Originally Posted by 110 Pete

What colour was your smoke?

It was kind of blue-ish and smelt like oil smoke, which lead me to believe it was valve stem seals (turbo was almost brand new). The belt was going to be done anyway so just did it, and the smoking stopped afterwards . I have it on good authority that leaky valve stem seals on a 300Tdi is a very uncommon issue anyway.

James.

Originally Posted by rainman

It was kind of blue-ish and smelt like oil smoke, which lead me to believe it was valve stem seals (turbo was almost brand new). The belt was going to be done anyway so just did it, and the smoking stopped afterwards . I have it on good authority that leaky valve stem seals on a 300Tdi is a very uncommon issue anyway.

James.

Hmmmm, mine is a blueish black smoke, sometimes white in the cold morning??? Im pretty sure it is not the valve stem seals or anything.

do your timing belt, check valve clearances and do a compression test. Changed the head gasket ever?

2009 isn't necessarily too old for the timing belt, but it depends on the kilometres really. There are varying opinions on how long you should let it go, but I try to work on about 70 000km. I have had one do 110 000km, but you're definitely playing with fire there.

James.

Unless you have documented proof of when the belt was changed, I'd just change it anyway.

I'd also check the condition of the hoses as it is not uncommon for hoses to start delaminating when old. Once that starts to happen, they start to collapse and restrict air-flow.

Also check the air filter and flush the intercooler

If everything is in good condition, timing bang on, etc... You might just need to take it out for an 'Italian Tuneup' to clear some of the soot.

M

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I may have found the problem! I think my turbo is dieing. Was driving home from a fellow deefa owners place and the scraping grinding noise came back. I heard no turbo whistle, dropped it in 3rd and floored it, still no whistle but continued metallic scraping! Stopped at lights turned and no turbo and was really sluggish then at around 3000rpm scraping stopped the turbo kicked in.

So in the end I think all my dramas have been my Turbo trying to die! As for the smoke, I may have got a dirty batch of fuel last time and the smoke is declining as the engine warms up and also as the turbo is jot functioning as it should it'd be producing more sooty gases as engine is not burning as clean as before.

Cheers

Pete