1989 2.5TD 19J 90 - a little smokey but not horrendous

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Defender19jaw

Member
Posts
10
Location
Kent
Hello landrover world,

I now own a 1989 2.5TD 19J 90 that I love, she ticks over like an old tractor and I'm very pleased.

25k miles on the clock so the engine isn't worn out.

I have some questions:-

On start up, she miss fires a few times then clears (Puffs of white smoke), once initial few misfires its all fine just the few seconds after start up - is this a failed glow plug?

another issue is a bit of black smoke whilst driving, i'm not expecting no smoke at all but would like to know if I can reduce it:-

if you rev the engine out of gear you get a bit of smoke - normal?

when you change gear you get a bit of black smoke and if the engine is struggling the black smoke appears again.

If you drive gently and take your time there isn't really much smoke.

is the smoke just all part of the fun or could I reduce this a bit?

Many Thanks

Nick
 
Hello landrover world,

I now own a 1989 2.5TD 19J 90 that I love, she ticks over like an old tractor and I'm very pleased.

25k miles on the clock so the engine isn't worn out.

I have some questions:-

On start up, she miss fires a few times then clears (Puffs of white smoke), once initial few misfires its all fine just the few seconds after start up - is this a failed glow plug?

another issue is a bit of black smoke whilst driving, i'm not expecting no smoke at all but would like to know if I can reduce it:-

if you rev the engine out of gear you get a bit of smoke - normal?

when you change gear you get a bit of black smoke and if the engine is struggling the black smoke appears again.

If you drive gently and take your time there isn't really much smoke.

is the smoke just all part of the fun or could I reduce this a bit?

Many Thanks

Nick
I already answered that in the other thread.
 
Hi and welcome .

'Puffs of white smoke' indicate air in the system, if only on startup this could be fuel leaking back into the pump or a small leak somewhere in the fuel retrurn lines.
Check to see if there is fuel around the injectors or on the return pipes.

It is worth checking the heater plugs, they are easy to remove (as lomg as you are careful) from a warm engine. Replace with DENSO or BOSCH
https://www.lrdirect.com/erc8450-heater-plug-late-ser390-110-not-t

Check the valve clerances, both in and ex should be 0.25mm.
When you rev the engine (put your foot down) the fuel pump will increase the amount of fuel, this will cause black smoke, same when the engine is under load and you are pressing the pedal to the metal...
Driving gently and taking your time is what a 19J engine is all about :)
 
Hi and welcome .

'Puffs of white smoke' indicate air in the system, if only on startup this could be fuel leaking back into the pump or a small leak somewhere in the fuel retrurn lines.
Check to see if there is fuel around the injectors or on the return pipes.

It is worth checking the heater plugs, they are easy to remove (as lomg as you are careful) from a warm engine. Replace with DENSO or BOSCH
https://www.lrdirect.com/erc8450-heater-plug-late-ser390-110-not-t

Check the valve clerances, both in and ex should be 0.25mm.
When you rev the engine (put your foot down) the fuel pump will increase the amount of fuel, this will cause black smoke, same when the engine is under load and you are pressing the pedal to the metal...
Driving gently and taking your time is what a 19J engine is all about :)
Thank you for the advice
 
Nope. I am listening to the Test Match, indoors.

This isn't a future tech query, it is the same one he posted this morning in introduce. In fact he has just c and p the whole thing in here.
Sorry guys, yes I copied and pasted here - wasn’t 100% sure what to do I was bambozzeled by all the ads that keep popping up!!
 
Sorry guys, yes I copied and pasted here - wasn’t 100% sure what to do I was bambozzeled by all the ads that keep popping up!!
Don't worry about it. We like the odd minor debate among ourselves, pass the time.

The forum is large, and confusing to newcomers. In fact, it is pretty confusing to me as well. :D

You can install ad blockers, or you can pay 14 quid to the forum, and opt to remove the ads.
 
Get yourself one of them cheap boroscopes and take a peak at the cylinder bores and the hotspot.
Do not assume low mileage = trouble free.
 
Get yourself one of them cheap boroscopes and take a peak at the cylinder bores and the hotspot.
Do not assume low mileage = trouble free.
Bores I haven't seen much problem on these.

Hotspots and head gaskets I have seen cause trouble at as low as 30k. This is one of the late ones, so should have coated pistons, they used to crack a lot on the earlier engines.
 
My old 19J got a bit cleaner on startup after cleaning the injector nozzles. Easy job once out. I put them in my ultrasonic cleaner. Fit new sealing washers if you do this.

If you have clean oil, a good cooling system and don't thrash it, it will probably last a very long time.

19Js have loads of "character". Just enjoy it and don't worry!
 
My old 19J got a bit cleaner on startup after cleaning the injector nozzles. Easy job once out. I put them in my ultrasonic cleaner. Fit new sealing washers if you do this.

If you have clean oil, a good cooling system and don't thrash it, it will probably last a very long time.

19Js have loads of "character". Just enjoy it and don't worry!
Many thanks for the advice.

lots of people don’t seem to like the 19j but I think it’s prefect, just like an old tractor engine.

I am shortly going to fit a new turbo, which may make a difference.

Although the boost pressure is there, it blows out of the turbo housing, small amount of oil in the inlet turbine and gate valve membrane ruptured.

I’m also going to treat her to a new set of injectors, glow plugs all filters and new oil.

she has the odd oil drip (again very minor) and I noticed some lighter coloured patches in the diesel pump / power steering pump location so I’ll been having a sniff around those later.

thanks for all your reply’s - it really is helpful
 
Many thanks for the advice.

lots of people don’t seem to like the 19j but I think it’s prefect, just like an old tractor engine.

I am shortly going to fit a new turbo, which may make a difference.

Although the boost pressure is there, it blows out of the turbo housing, small amount of oil in the inlet turbine and gate valve membrane ruptured.

I’m also going to treat her to a new set of injectors, glow plugs all filters and new oil.

she has the odd oil drip (again very minor) and I noticed some lighter coloured patches in the diesel pump / power steering pump location so I’ll been having a sniff around those later.

thanks for all your reply’s - it really is helpful
Got exactly the same year 19j with all the same traits, but have to say I love it gets me the missus and the dogs around nicely, hope you enjoy yours warts and all!
Lasher
 
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