Thread: Blue/Grey smoke from 200tdi defender

How are the valve stem seals. Wouldn't take much oil to smoke. Jim

I think grey smoke means it hasn't decided yet who the next Pope should be.

OTOH, it does sound a bit like valve stem seals.

As a general rule with diesels, blue smoke is oil; whilst white/grey smoke often signifies a lack of air, the greyish/white colour of the smoke is usually un-burnt vaporised diesel. Get someone else to start it and stand near the exhaust and have a sniff!
Check that any of your air inlet pipes/tubes have not collapsed inside. A lot of air intake pipes are laminated and sometimes the inner lamination can break away.
Regards
Glen

Hi. I'd be starting with the timing belt, and injectors. If its using no oil then that eliminates most things. Tractor injectors are supposed to be pulled at 1000hrs and tested, not many are, but when we do pull them its surprising how many we find that have a poor spray pattern and or dribble at idle. With an older or higher mileage engine compression will be slightly down, add a cooler morning and the combustion process will be not completed properly. If the timing belt has stretched a little, that will add to the smoke. I'd be surprised if the stem seals are gone, as to make smoke for a while, at least a tea spoon of oil would be needed in each pot each day... It would be using oil, but if they are gone, they can be done with the head in situe... You just have to make sure No 1 piston is at TDC when doing 1 and 4, and at BDC when doing 2 and 3. Just my opinion, Hope this helps. Post a pic of initial cold start up smoke if you like, we can all see....

Well, that's a good start.

Sitec, the timing belt was replaced less then 12 months ago, so I'm discounting that one. The injectors haven't been looked at in the three years she's been mine, so that'll be something to follow up.

Glen, the air inlet pipes are also relatively new (~12 months old). Had them replaced when the timing belt was done. I did check them out this morning and they feel fine.

Vnx205 - very good, I like that one

Jx2mad - haven't gone that way yet. I'm baffled a bit because the smoke does go away, so my thinking is if the valve stems are dodgy, then wouldn't the smoke be persistent and not go away?

I'll have a go with the camera tomorrow morning and see if I can't post the clip...

Thanks all for your thoughts - lets see what happens....

No worries, that's what this forum is all about. So many have done it and seen it and tried it, blown it up, lost it dropped it or sold it!!!! If they were not such a pain to get too I'd suggest checking the timing belt marks all line up as they will run happily one tooth out but do smoke when cold... Don't ask me how I know!!

Sometimes if valve seals are slightly worn then when the engine is stationary a small amount of oil can seep past into combustion chamber. As I said only a very small amount spread over a couple of cylinders would cause smoke on startup but not when warm. I am thinking re the age of the motor with general wear through age. Even slightly worn valve guides could do the same. Jim

Originally Posted by jx2mad

Sometimes if valve seals are slightly worn then when the engine is stationary a small amount of oil can seep past into combustion chamber. As I said only a very small amount spread over a couple of cylinders would cause smoke on startup but not when warm. I am thinking re the age of the motor with general wear through age. Even slightly worn valve guides could do the same. Jim

I agree with this post as a good place to look. My (recently sold) '97 Nissan Patrol GQ Wagon did the same thing and it was the strong opinion of an Engineer at my work that this was the cause. Just a small amount of seepage which disappeared shortly after start up.

Didn't get to test his theory though, as the vehicle sold before we tried to rectify it. A full pre-inspection check was performed by a mechanic, on behalf of the purchaser, and when I mentioned it to him he said the same thing was likely the cause.

I'm not sure how the other local residents will be able to track my movements now they can't see the copious smoke signals I used to produce upon leaving my driveway

Cheers,
Nige