Blue smoke and bio diesel

Right, Series II 109 2.25 diesel, always smoked abit until it got warm but nothing rediculous.

About 2 weeks ago I started running it on biodiesel and now every time I start it up huge plumes of blue smoke envelop the street, even if I just turn it off for ten minutes, still a smoke out.

Seems to be idling a little rough and if I leave it idling for a few mins then give it a rev, get another great smoke ball.

It dosnt see, to do it much on the over run nor does it really smoke much whilst driving.

I ve just changed the engine oil and filters and the oil in the oil bath to little effect. I m not sure if this is linked into the biodiesel or maybe leaking valve seals? Starts first time every time no problems and drives well (for an old girl)

Would love to hear some of your thoughts

Unless the bio has engine oil in it i would think stem seals have gone.
Biodiesel won't burn with blue smoke.....hardly any smoke from it at all.
Is it home made or bought bio???

everlatesparky said:

Unless the bio has engine oil in it i would think stem seals have gone.
Biodiesel won't burn with blue smoke.....hardly any smoke from it at all.
Is it home made or bought bio???

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It's home made from a mate but I know he does it all properly, we'll I haven't got the foggiest how to change the stem seals, is it a hard job?

Wrong person to ask m8.....my butler changed them on the p38!!

Can't see it being too bad to do as long as you can handle a spanner....would have thought someone on here has done them.

valve stem seals usual sign is smoke on start up ,but will be poor on your engine anyhow unless rebuilt in recent years ,you can either remove head and use conventional valve spring clamp or turn engine over till 2 pistons are at the top and use a lever typye compressor to compress springs to remove collets and so spring seals can be then prised off and new ones fitted ,inlet and exhaust are different ,what oil did you use when changing it ,kind of oil used can make a big difference in smoke

jamesmartin said:

valve stem seals usual sign is smoke on start up ,but will be poor on your engine anyhow unless rebuilt in recent years ,you can either remove head and use conventional valve spring clamp or turn engine over till 2 pistons are at the top and use a lever typye compressor to compress springs to remove collets and so spring seals can be then prised off and new ones fitted ,inlet and exhaust are different ,what oil did you use when changing it ,kind of oil used can make a big difference in smoke

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I used 20 50 mineral (comma classic), reckon I might need some hands on help with this

Anyone local?

Crazylurcher said:

Right, Series II 109 2.25 diesel, always smoked abit until it got warm but nothing rediculous.

About 2 weeks ago I started running it on biodiesel and now every time I start it up huge plumes of blue smoke envelop the street, even if I just turn it off for ten minutes, still a smoke out.

Seems to be idling a little rough and if I leave it idling for a few mins then give it a rev, get another great smoke ball.

It dosnt see, to do it much on the over run nor does it really smoke much whilst driving.

I ve just changed the engine oil and filters and the oil in the oil bath to little effect. I m not sure if this is linked into the biodiesel or maybe leaking valve seals? Starts first time every time no problems and drives well (for an old girl)

Would love to hear some of your thoughts

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the logical thing to me would be , put it back on derv and see if its better

uncle albert said:

the logical thing to me would be , put it back on derv and see if its better

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That's the next plan, I just can't see why the bio would make it smoke more

biodiesel is a very good cleaner......maybe it's cleaned off some carbon from the inlet valve so a worn seal is now leaking more than it was.

everlatesparky said:

biodiesel is a very good cleaner......maybe it's cleaned off some carbon from the inlet valve so a worn seal is now leaking more than it was.

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Good point. I think this might have to be a garage job, I ve got horrible visions of taking it to bits and not being able to get it back together again, or else somehow ruining a perfectly good engine

I would start with the simple things first!

I've found that my diesel is fuel sensitive. Much less smoke on premium diesel fuels - I assume that fuels like Shell V Power burn easier & cleaner.
When you've used up your tank of home brew, I would at least fill up on normal diesel and see what happens.

Secondly, have you checked your valve clearances recently?

Taking the head off and changing stem oil seals would be my last option in your scenario.

Land Raver said:

I would start with the simple

Secondly, have you checked your valve clearances recently?

Taking the head off and changing stem oil seals would be my last option in your scenario.

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I hadn't even thought about the valve clearances, i presume this is a pretty easy job with a feeler gauge?

Crazylurcher said:

I hadn't even thought about the valve clearances, i presume this is a pretty easy job with a feeler gauge?

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3 tools required 1 set of feeler gauges need to be in inch thousandths increments
1 flat end screwdriver and either a half inch ring spanner or a 13mm ring spanner

all valves need .10 thou" either hot or cold ( dunt matter as indicated on the red tin plate rivveted on the rocker cover )

its good practise to get a new rocker cover gasket before you do this job as theyre made from cork and can be a bitch to reseal an old one

another little hint is to help getting the rocker cover off remove the 2 bolts holding the upstandy bit off the top side of the water pump and shift it over ( youll lose about 1 litre of water ) this is relatively easy to reseal this joint

the water lost can be then replaced with antifreeze ( a good idea for this time of year )

now to make the job that little easier i also loosen the fuel injectors to let air past them so i can turn the engine round with the fan with ease rather than fighting against the compression

hope this helps

Mine smoked just like that when I tried bio. it took 4 or 5 tanks of regular derv to clear back to normal

I think bio diesel is harder to ignite until the engine is warm so a lot of it ends up unburnt when cold.

Go back to diesel and I bet the problem goes away. As long as its not smoking when warm I wouldn't worry.

Wouldn't unburnt fuel be black? Or is that just regular derv

poorly burnt fuel as in not enough air is black unburnt is white