Smoking K series Freelander

[Rodeo Joe]

Having fixed all the niggles and problems with the freelander its now thrown its toys out of the pram and started to smoke in a rather major way.
Whenever I blip the throttle it kicks out greyish smoke and even idling ( yes at 800 rpm) its pretty smokey. It is high mileage-170k, and smoked a little bit when i got it but now its getting worse fast.
Is the engine at the end of its life or is it cost effective to rebuild it in the shed?

 

[Nodge68]

Unless it's skipped many oil changes, it won't be worn out at 170K. You need to identify what the cause of the smoke is, providing it is actually smoke. At this time of year, it's common to see huge amounts of steam out the exhaust. The CATs work very efficiently at converting the exhaust into CO2 and H2O. The H2O content then condenses the moment it leaves the tail pipe. The V6 even steams out the tailpipe in summer time, if the morning is cool.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I had noticed a lot of H2O on the ground behind the exhaust, this smoke though smells of burned petrol and is greyer than the white condensation from water.... I'm a bit concerned I got a lemon.

 

[Nodge68]

What year is it?

 

[Rodeo Joe]

Its a 1999

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I did think that with the idling problems I have had and the 'erratic idle' fault that maybe it is running far too rich.

 

[Nodge68]

I did think that with the idling problems I have had and the 'erratic idle' fault that maybe it is running far too rich.

If it was running rich, the smoke would be black and the engine would have a chugging idle.
The ECU monitors the mixture, maintaining it at the stoichiometric ratio. So unless someone has been playing with the mapping or the O2 sensor is faulty the engine must burn at the correct ratio. You really need to hook it up to a suitable diagnostic tool, so you can check the live data and check for fault codes.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

Yes I did check the engine and every other system I could find and no fault codes shown, just the erratic idle message in the live data.
I've had diesels for the last 20 years so this petrol engine stuff is starting to do my head in, black smoke fine blue smoke knackered has always been my thought.

 

[Nodge68]

Yes I did check the engine and every other system I could find and no fault codes shown, just the erratic idle message in the live data.
I've had diesels for the last 20 years so this petrol engine stuff is starting to do my head in, black smoke fine blue smoke knackered has always been my thought.

Blue smoke just means it's burning oil. There's no reason to suggest it's knackered though. There's loads of reasons for burning oil, even old or wrong grade of oil can cause it. Give it an Italian tune up after an oil change and see what happens.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

Having slept on it 'm thinking it might be valve related, I remember some years ago I had a 200 tdi that started first turn every time and one morning it smoked like crazy for a bit and then stopped like a valve shut off- it never did it again in the next 10 years.
The smoke from the freelander looks like this a kind of off white colour so I'm thinking maybe an exaust valve is playing up, I seem to remember there was a valve conversion for these from standard to ones with a step in them.
Is there any way to tell if this could be the trouble without removing the head?

 

[htr]

Are the engine's fluid levels stable? It could possibly be worn valve guide/s, ie: burning oil, or a leak in the IMG. The stepped valve stem is for the later motors IIRC. A look at the plugs may show if it's an IMG leak.

 

[Nodge68]

I'd be inclined to change the oil, making sure you use the correct 10w40 synthetic or semi-synthetic grade. Then just use it until the weather is warmer. Then reassess the smoke from the exhaust. If it's valve guide oil seals, then it's not the end of the world. Don't forget, most pre-1970s engines didn't have valve guide oil seals anyway.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I need to use it anyway but I don't want to get pulled over by the rozzers cos they think I'm killing the planet. When first started and cold there is no smoke leave it for a few minutes to warm up and it starts. Still thinking a sticky valve, its not using up coolant so hoping the HG is ok even though I think a lot of it is steam. Stumped.

 

[Nodge68]

If it's not smoking until it's warmed up and the smoke is blue, then it's burning oil. Change the engine oil and see if it goes away. If the smoke is anything other than blue, then ignore it until it's warmer. The rozzers won't be interested unless your smoke is a danger to other road users.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

To be honest I've decided to cut my losses and get rid of it, if I didn't have a series 3 waiting to be rebuilt then I'd spend the time on it because it drives really well but I can't do everything and I don't have the space to store it till I get round to it, best to sell it whilst its got 6 months MOT left. Anyone want to but a freelander £400 sold as seen