P38A White smoke at start.....every start

Hi all,

I fear my 4.0 GEMS might be poorly. Every time I start up I get white smoke. It used to be only first thing in the morning but now it seems to be every time I start up. The 'smoke' clears after a short while until I have to start it again. I'm guessing that all isn't well isn't gasketland
I am losing coolant so I know something's definitely amiss, but, without wanting to go all bull-in-a-china-shop from the outset and dash down to the head gaskets, are there any areas that might also be problem areas that could be taking a back-hander from the coolant and letting it access areas it really shouldn't go?

I had a valley gasket leak on a 3.9 and it was loosing coolant but running well. The only sign was a slight misfire at tickover,but you had to listen carefully to notice it

You can get different coloured UV dyes, one for the oil and one for the coolant. Get the coolant one and put some in. After a day or so check the dipstick with a UV lamp, although if it is as bad as you say you may not need the lamp.

Hi Nige - I'm also guessing that all isn't well isn't gasketland! Have you done a compression test? That should give you the definitive answer, although mine doesn't show a great deal of difference between cyls, (yes - I still haven't had the time to do mine, it's OK around town, but I'll be getting to it soon now the weathers improving . . . got all the bits except the inclination)
A

Hi Alistair, if you look out of your window and can't see the spire, that'll be my fault. Haven't done a compression test. I've got the inclination, hopefully soon the parts, I've polished the faces of my lump hammer and sharpened all my drills. I'm guessing friday night / saturday will be the opening times of the surgery. If you want to pop round for a brew and a laugh feel free.

Tarphenry, that sounds just like what I'm experiencing

White smoke?
Is that condensation or un burnt fuel?
If the glows are not running correctly you will get white smoke on start which will clear as the motor warms

pete1987RRC said:

White smoke?
Is that condensation or un burnt fuel?
If the glows are not running correctly you will get white smoke on start which will clear as the motor warms

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Glow-plugs on a petrol?

The valley gasket is an easy job when you strip it down,do it carefully and you will see the leak into one of the inlets.

Hopefully

Also, before diving in and tearing stuff down, have you pulled the spark plugs for a look? See if any of them have been steam cleaned? Worth a check as It's simple and easy...

Good luck with it.

I've got to attack the rocker covers too cos the PCV plastic bit in the right hand cover that according to RAVE "just pulls out" very naughtily doesn't. I fear a lot of elbow grease is going to be required over this weekend. Good job it's not a Bank Holiday weekend too.....Doh!

Zorro587 said:

I've got to attack the rocker covers too cos the PCV plastic bit in the right hand cover that according to RAVE "just pulls out" very naughtily doesn't. I fear a lot of elbow grease is going to be required over this weekend. Good job it's not a Bank Holiday weekend too.....Doh!

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That's good. Gives you an extra day to play.

Grrrrrr said:

That's good. Gives you an extra day to play.

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Tis true

Oh my days! The filth.....

Update: So the rocker covers were removed and the filth was cleaned out. I couldn't believe the amount of crap lurking in there. The breather pipes stood no chance. The little plastic xmas tree thingy - could've replaced that with a cork it was that gummed up.

Anyways, valley gasket replaced. Noted a pinkish semi-jelly in inlet for cylinder 8. Cleaned that out and put everything back together. It worked again but I'm still losing coolant.

So, this weekend will be a (slightly quicker, hopefully) repeat of last weekend. I've ordered new head gaskets and bolts and even splashed out on some crowfoot torque wrench adaptor spanner head gizmos.

Watch this space, or just look for a few less clouds over the coming days..

Nige

....and RAVE needs amending to read "remove the exhaust manifold studs, yes, really, including those 2 awkward b@$74rd5 at the very back...aha-ahahahaha-ahahahahahahaha..."

All out bar 2 though. Can drill one and maybe hacksaw off the other.

Oh well

Keep the faith, you will be rewarded with a good running motor when its done

Zorro587 said:

....and RAVE needs amending to read "remove the exhaust manifold studs, yes, really, including those 2 awkward b@$74rd5 at the very back...aha-ahahahaha-ahahahahahahaha..."

All out bar 2 though. Can drill one and maybe hacksaw off the other.

Oh well

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Plusgas, heat, brute force ... start drilling.

Drilling done; success. Hackjob done; success. Head bolts out tomorrow all being well.

Question: There's a 'T'-shaped bracket just below my EAS compressor but nothing attached to it. Normal fitting, and if so for what, or aftermarket for something else?

Just a stab in the dark but, it's not for the driver pack is it?