97 300tdi smoking badly after timing belt change!

Hi guys, had my 300tdi about a month now & loving it that much i thought id treat it to a timing belt change(no service history).
just picked it up & noticed its smoking from the exhaust quite badly, looks a bluey white colour.
seems to be starting & running ok, just smoking which it def wasnt before!
i used a local guy in his 50's who has his own garage & landrover experience, apparently.
done a search & common sense says hes got the pump timing slightly out & was just wondering whether anyones had similar symptoms after a belt change,
Steve

I had some similar symptoms with mine when I changed the belt, the timing was a little out originally and it wouldn't start at all. When adjusted it started and ran but was smokey for a short while - guess it was burning the excess fuel out of the system. How many miles have you done since getting it back?

cam timing most likjey unless rad is out its difficult to get good lie of sight with cam marks ,set engine to tdc preferably with pin under flywheel housing but you can use crank belt sprocket marks align cam use mirror if necessary check more than twice if wont lign up exacly go for slightly before the mark rather than past it pin injection pump or 9mm drill bit leave 3 x bolt slightly loose,tension belt to 18 ftlbs tighten up pump bolts tensioner remove pins turn engine over clockwise as looking from front 2 times till crank pin or mark aligns then recheck cam marks ,then loosen 3 x pump bolt fit pin with spanner on pump nut turn clockwise till pushing hard against pin then tighten 3 x bolt while still applying pressure , if during you turn engine backwards it wont hurt but go back 90 degrees the go forward again to take out all the backlash ,which is what your doing with holding the pump against pin

I remember a post about a guy with similar problems.....loads of blue smoke when reved. Turned out whoever did the timing belt had taken the pulleys off the cam and fuel pump and put them back on the wrong way round Swapped them over and everything was sorted.

Sounds like fuel pump timing is out.

its cam timing that makes them smoke ,and yes i would agree that advancing pump timing to just before diesel knock would be best but there is usually enough by pulling against timing pin ,i havent apart from once needed to go further after all thats what knock sensors to on the v8s

jamesmartin said:

its cam timing that makes them smoke ,and yes i would agree that advancing pump timing to just before diesel knock would be best but there is usually enough by pulling against timing pin ,i havent apart from once needed to go further after all thats what knock sensors to on the v8s

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I think you may well be right, but it wont hurt the OP to have some more understanding.

Thanks for all the guys...
spoke to the mechanic today & hes not interested at all, so it looks like its down to me.
due to work commitments i'll not be able to have a look for a couple of weeks, but think i'll be following battenbergs excellent write up & pics...
kinda wish id done it myself in the first place!

thanks again,
appreciate it

at least you know there shouldnt be too many surprises. All the bolts should come out easily etc.

The Mad Hat Man said:

at least you know there shouldnt be too many surprises. All the bolts should come out easily etc.

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Buy a can of copper grease anyway, and a little stiff brush to apply it with.

We all assume you'll be using that "mechanic" at every future opportunity?



CharlesY

Will do, & no ... i'll def not be using him again haha...
to be honest i normally do allmost all my mechanical work myself but thought the belt might be a bit tricky...
think i,ll try & adjust the pump through the inspection hole first, cant see it being too far out as it seems to start & run fine... just smoking

rizlaman said:

Will do, & no ... i'll def not be using him again haha...
to be honest i normally do allmost all my mechanical work myself but thought the belt might be a bit tricky...
think i,ll try & adjust the pump through the inspection hole first, cant see it being too far out as it seems to start & run fine... just smoking

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Hi may i ask how much he charged you to do the cam belt and did he supply the parts as well cheers.

hi oldskool...
i work in a motor factors & we put quite a bit of work his way, so i supplied the belt kit & he only charged me £60 as a 'favour'
sure the official book time is between 3 & 4 hrs, depending on model.

Ok cheers, so let me get this straight you put work his way he does a **** job and not interested in putting it right hhhhhhmmm i now where i wouldn't send work any more. I was just wondering cos i run my own garage and was curious how much others garages charge Cheers