clouds of smoke when cold

Guys, my 300tdi Auto with EDC has been struggling to start for a while with loads of white smoke when it does, but this has now developed into thick pea soup grey smoke for the first mile or so till it warms up, then fine! When cold there is smoke following you, but when you take your foot off the throttle..... oh my god!!! its like a cloud that lingers in the distance as you accelerate off again!

Anyone got any ideas? runs fine and smoke free when warm, i've just topped it up with oil so it has used some, but the water is perfect.

..........Mark

I take it your heater plugs are working

Mine was doing that. replaced lift pump. replaced fuel sender. replaced fuel pipe from back to front. Still doing it. Then a mate done the timing on the fuel pump. Job done.

I'd change valve stem seals, check tappets & timing belt. But if it's not starting well timing belt to start with.

Well guys, most of that stuff done, put new glow plugs in a 6 months ago Gunny - no better. Had a new timing belt fitted at the same time and tappets set, even made them strip it down and re check it was ok 666 George, but not looked at valve stem seals. Replaced the lift pump couple of months ago lilman in desperation, along with spill pipes for the second time, checked the sedimentor and all the fuel lines, not sure how to tweak the injector pump (as that's all you can do with an EDC I understand) but I did have the Landy guy do it when he was checking the belt timing in an attempt to improve things.... By the way even the "expert" didn't know why it wouldn't start properly. He suggested a starter motor!!! Turns over brilliant.... If it didn't it wouldn't start at all! Did fit a new battery though.

sounds like the heater plugs relay somewhere along the line !!!
change that

There was a guy local to me with some of those same problems, turned out his woodruff key on the crank shaft had sheared allowing the crank pully to turn on the shaft a little, and knocking the timing out. Not saying that's what is happening with yours, more just an idea. whats your air filter like, clean or dirty, are your intercooler hoses and air filter hoses, in good shape inside and out.

mark george said:

Guys, my 300tdi Auto with EDC has been struggling to start for a while with loads of white smoke when it does, but this has now developed into thick pea soup grey smoke for the first mile or so till it warms up, then fine! When cold there is smoke following you, but when you take your foot off the throttle..... oh my god!!! its like a cloud that lingers in the distance as you accelerate off again!

Anyone got any ideas? runs fine and smoke free when warm, I've just topped it up with oil so it has used some, but the water is perfect.

..........Mark

Click to expand...

Hi Mark, there is a modification to EDC equipped cars which can help starting a lot.

You will need a set of resistors that you can buy from Maplins or similar. For the values of the resistors, do a search for EDC mod on the forum.

First locate the coolant temp sensor in the head - under the noise cover -

disconnect the electrical connector and place one leg of the resistor in each of the connectors contacts.

Now start the engine, note any differences such as ease of starting; ticker speed etc.

This mod DOES make a difference!

Dave