Defender 1989 2.5TD 19J engine smoking issue

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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
Welcome to LZ.

This section is for Introductions, you need to post in the tech section for tech queries.
But as you are here,
For a start, it isn't a Defender, it is a Land Rover Ninety.
Glow plugs are always worth a change, I would get Nippon Denso or another quality make, not Beru or similar.
But it is just as likely that it is due to patchy compressions. Try setting the valve clearances as per the manual.
Bit of smoke on start up, and under full load, I would consider normal on those.
Oil and filter and fuel filter change can't hurt either.
But so long as you can get it through MOT emissions, I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Those commonly blow head gaskets. Pull off the rocker box cover cap with the engine running. If it is chuffing, or blasting out oil vapour, your head gasket is on the way out.
 
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