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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

300tdi white diesel smoke
I hope someone can shed some light on my smokey 300tdi!

Basically, when the engine is up to temperature and idling or at low revs it produces clouds of white smoke, which from the smell and way they hang around I think are diesel. At high revs the smoke disappears. Other than the smoke the car drives very well, no loss of power, perhaps some small water loss.

The engine was installed about a year ago, and aside from minor niggles has run fine until recently. Mileage is not entirely certain but at least 70k, possibly double that. At that point the timing belt was changed, new rad and intercooler were installed, and since then a new lift pump has been fitted.

To cure this latest problem I have so far:
- Checked turbo for seizure, stiffness and play - none .
- Checked air inlet and intercooler hoses for splits, delamination or oil contamination - none
- Adjusted valves
- Replaced fuel filter
- Run through some injector cleaner
- Tried new fuel
- Checked air filter - clean and unblocked

This is now leaving me to think its a problem with the injector pump, injectors, compression or the head/gasket.

Anyone else seen this or have suggestions?

Thanks!
Post #277731 29th Oct 2013 12:04pm
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willyj



Member Since: 23 Oct 2009
Location: Carmarthenshire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Zermatt Silver
I had similar problem on my old 300tdi 110. Ended up taking fuel pump off and having it rebuilt. Not sure about your water problem though.

Do you find it thursty?

Wil
Post #277773 29th Oct 2013 4:20pm
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

No more than usual, although I haven't wanted to drive it very far recently in case it's a problem with the head.

Fuel pump is an option, I'll add that to the expensive end of the list! Who did you use for the rebuild?
Post #277785 29th Oct 2013 4:50pm
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Skippy R



Member Since: 08 Feb 2012
Location: Yorkshire,out 'n'about
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Chawton White
Mine was very similar to this a couple of months ago, was adamant it was injectors but afraid it turns out to be head gasket. The slightest little split in the gasket, could hardly make it out but that was the problem, skimmed head- new gasket- bolts etc and drives better than ever now . Good luck with it. Dave
98 'S' 90 300Tdi (sold)
07 D3 HSE (now sold)
1993 Scania 143 450 (should have kept that ! )
Post #277951 30th Oct 2013 1:08am
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Porny
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Member Since: 31 Aug 2009
Location: Sutton Coldfield - West Midlands
Posts: 792

 
Are you using coolant?

This sounds like a cracked head... Especially as the problem only occurs when the engine is up to temp. Quite common on a 300tdi.


Ian IRB
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Post #277958 30th Oct 2013 7:50am
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willyj



Member Since: 23 Oct 2009
Location: Carmarthenshire
Posts: 160

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Zermatt Silver
Shorts auto electrical in swansea is where I sent my pump. They have a diesel workshop. But now looking through the invoices... Embarassed I did have the head sent off to be skimmed else where at the time, but if i can remember rightly the heater blew out moisture and the temp went right up into the red.

Shame I sold it now, had everything done to it. Big Cry
Post #277967 30th Oct 2013 8:48am
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

Thanks all, I was hoping to use a process of elimination on the easy bits but think I might just go for the jugular. The engine hasn't overheated or cooked so hopefully I can get away with a test, skim gasket et c.

Will you know what happens, but thanks in the meantime!
Post #277987 30th Oct 2013 11:10am
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

So head off and...cylinders full of coolant. Crying or Very sad

It seems the head was cracked between the exhaust ports for no.4, as they were the only ones that had been washed clean and werent coked up.

Drained the sump as well to be greeted by a gush of water before the oil came out.

The bores look fine, there is no untoward marking or scratching (the honings are still visible which was a pleasant surprise).

A careful rebuild with a new head follows, but is there anthing else to look out for?
Post #279776 5th Nov 2013 7:41pm
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Mattyboy



Member Since: 05 Dec 2012
Location: Sudbury
Posts: 58

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Santorini Black
Did you have any luck getting a new head? 07 Defender 90 TDCI
98 Defender 90 300 Tdi
Land Rover Freelander
MG B GT
CBR 600
AEC Matador
but no washing machine
Post #286195 29th Nov 2013 9:54am
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

Yup bit the bullet and went new from Turners. Not cheap but seems to have cured the problem. Onto the next one now!
Post #288845 9th Dec 2013 2:37pm
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

So, with the smoke cured the next problem that has developed is a high speed rattle/tap/flutter when the engine is under load. No noise noticeable at idle, but when under load, particularly in 4th or 5th the noise comes back.

I've checked the rocker assembly, vacuum pump, lift pump (both are less than a year old), exhaust manifold and injectors but no change.

I'm thinking it might be time to take the head off again and check cam followers, but before I undo my work does anyone have any other ideas please?
Post #302515 27th Jan 2014 9:32am
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Lou Sparts



Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
Hi LCJ do you think it is a mechanical noise or could it be a combustion type noise like pinking on a petrol engine ?

As it only happens under load it could be "injection knock" like pinking, Have you disturbed the injection timing ? 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve
Post #302531 27th Jan 2014 10:46am
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

Hi Lou

Thanks for your response.

One garage that looked at it suggested it was a pinking noise. I haven't touched the injection timing - all injectors came out when the head was replaced but I didn't touch the pump. I did put a screwdriver to various parts including the injector pipes yesterday and they did feel/sound tappy - front two pipes particularly.

Where do I go from here? Time to play with the pump or get the injectors serviced?

Cheers again
Post #302535 27th Jan 2014 11:10am
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Lou Sparts



Member Since: 15 Apr 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 1501

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver
You could try moving the injectors to different cylinders to see if the noise moves with them.
Or you could removing injectors and have them checked by a local diesel specialist.
If you feel confident to do so you could check the injection timing. 2005 Td5 90 XS

Steve
Post #302546 27th Jan 2014 12:00pm
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LCJ



Member Since: 07 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 201

Solved it! Dodgy injector seal. Nice cheap fix in the end, but the sound it made had me swearing it was much more serious!
Thanks for all help again
Post #306033 7th Feb 2014 10:34pm
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