90 2.5TD white smoke when starting

I have a 90 2.5 TD (1988). When starting, the engine produces lots of white smoke and revs by itself. Having removed the air supply tube to the turbo, I found it was full of fuel which was blowing into the engine when starting. After generating lots of smoke, this eventually clears and the engine runs normally. I discovered that when the engine has stopped, fuel is leaking back from the fuel pump back into the turbo through the boost pressure pipe. The problem is much worse (more smoke) when the engine has not been run for a day or so.

I have also noticed that there is a pressure build up in the fuel tank. I suspect that this is causing the loss of power on inclines at motorway speeds due to fuel starvation.

I suspest that the fault lies with the fuel pump. Has anyone had a similar problem? Is a repair possible or does it require a complete pump replacement? If a repair is possible, what does it involve?

Many thanks

throw it away and put in a 200 tdi..

I posted a reply on here very recently pointing out the rupture a small rubber diaphragm where the turbo boost pipe joins the fuel pump. Its purpose is to increase the fueling at high boost. When it ruptures pressure is passed along the fuel return pipe and pressurises the fuel tank. This is a cheap repair for the repair kit anyway. Experts can change the diaphragm while the fuel pump is in place but others have to remove the pump.

Hope this helps.

I had this with my old 90!

It got to the stage that I had to stop on a journey and release the pressure in the fuel tank by slowly removing the cap...

It may have been completely unrelated but my engine problems turned out to be problems with the piston rings... I only ever did short journeys to the horses in it so was able to keep it ticking along until such times as I could afford to get it properly fixed!

Unfortunately, that time never came and I have since got another Land Rover and the 90 is being used as a storage shed in the field - until such times as I can afford to do it up or change the engine...!!

Hope you manage to get it sorted!