300tdi - white smoke

Evening all,

Recently replaced my fuel pump due to running issues with the previous one. This replacement seems to cure everything, engine was ticking over good running and boosting exactly as you'd expect. However, a couple of times the engine has carried on ticking over when I switch off - assuming the stop solenoid. Yesterday it got worse though, driving along happily and engine lost all power and started chucking out thick white smoke, would also cut out when idling. Pulled over and switched off, checked a few things but nothing obvious stuck out. Started it up again, probably 10 mins later and was running perfect, another 1 mile down the road it started all over again, I noticed when I pulled over I could let it idle and eventually it would tick over good, would run again for a few minutes when revving engine and the fault come back.

Would the solenoid relate to this at all? I do have one on order but just wondering on other possibilities too?

Checked turbo, no excess oil or play, if timing was out wouldn't it do this all the time?

Yes it could be the solenoid, more likely the power supply to the solenoid rather than the solenoid itself, I have had the little spade connector rattle loose and cause all sorts of weird issues.

I would also be rechecking your previous work and checking for anywhere air can get into the main feed pipe, disco 30 like to rot out the steel pick up pipe on top of the tank sender.
New filters fitted okay, lift pump okay and so on, take nothing for granted, also do not assume its new means its good, still check it.

lynall said:

Yes it could be the solenoid, more likely the power supply to the solenoid rather than the solenoid itself, I have had the little spade connector rattle loose and cause all sorts of weird issues.

I would also be rechecking your previous work and checking for anywhere air can get into the main feed pipe, disco 30 like to rot out the steel pick up pipe on top of the tank sender.
New filters fitted okay, lift pump okay and so on, take nothing for granted, also do not assume its new means its good, still check it.

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Thanks, I have a new fuel pick up on it with new lift pump. There is a bit of debris in the tank I've noticed so next to replace is that. I out a new lift pump on it, delphi one with the pre filter so that catches the bigger bits. Also a new fuel filter too. Wouldn't have thought its electrical after the pump as it ran without this issue on the other pump

Bazvw205 said:

Thanks, I have a new fuel pick up on it with new lift pump. There is a bit of debris in the tank I've noticed so next to replace is that. I out a new lift pump on it, delphi one with the pre filter so that catches the bigger bits. Also a new fuel filter too. Wouldn't have thought its electrical after the pump as it ran without this issue on the other pump

Click to expand...

On the series motors what some people do is fit a paint sprayers filter on the bottom of the pick up pipe to stop crap getting up to the lift pump
The trucks have these as standard, they only really keep the large chunks out.

Did you have the chest open to replace the inj pump?
Have you checked your crank pulley bolt is tight, any dusty debris at the timing chest drain hole?

If you are convinced its all good then you can do two things to confirm the fault could be with the injector pump itself, 1 run your own power supply direct from battery to the stop solenoid, obviously you have to remove the wire to stop the engine, then 2 if it still plays up remove the stop solenoid from the inj pump, and refit it minus the plunger and spring, you will then have to stall it to stop it, if it still plays about you can then speak to our injector man and say what you have tested leads you to think he may have mad a mistake.