Black cloud of death

LeftFoot said:

300tdi Defender

Upon startup there is a huge cloud of grey/black smoke which shoots out and 8 times out of 10 finds some poor unsuspecting victim to smother.
Happens all of the time regardless of hot or cold start.

Months ago I discovered the diaphragm on the injection pump set in the position for maximum fuel as evidenced by the position of the little dot. I set it back very close to the factory position and this vastly reduced the black smoke from exhaust when driving but did absolutely nothing for the startup smoke.

Smoke output now when driving is still fair and only appears if I nail it, even then it is not too bad.

But... what can I do about the startup cloud? Please don't tell me it is normal because I have seen other TDIs startup with way less smoke than this. The vehicle performs well otherwise and only has around 80,000 miles on the clock.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

LeftFoot said:

300tdi Defender

Upon startup there is a huge cloud of grey/black smoke which shoots out and 8 times out of 10 finds some poor unsuspecting victim to smother.
Happens all of the time regardless of hot or cold start.

Months ago I discovered the diaphragm on the injection pump set in the position for maximum fuel as evidenced by the position of the little dot. I set it back very close to the factory position and this vastly reduced the black smoke from exhaust when driving but did absolutely nothing for the startup smoke.

Smoke output now when driving is still fair and only appears if I nail it, even then it is not too bad.

But... what can I do about the startup cloud? Please don't tell me it is normal because I have seen other TDIs startup with way less smoke than this. The vehicle performs well otherwise and only has around 80,000 miles on the clock.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

LeftFoot said:

300tdi Defender

Upon startup there is a huge cloud of grey/black smoke which shoots out and 8 times out of 10 finds some poor unsuspecting victim to smother.
Happens all of the time regardless of hot or cold start.

Months ago I discovered the diaphragm on the injection pump set in the position for maximum fuel as evidenced by the position of the little dot. I set it back very close to the factory position and this vastly reduced the black smoke from exhaust when driving but did absolutely nothing for the startup smoke.

Smoke output now when driving is still fair and only appears if I nail it, even then it is not too bad.

But... what can I do about the startup cloud? Please don't tell me it is normal because I have seen other TDIs startup with way less smoke than this. The vehicle performs well otherwise and only has around 80,000 miles on the clock.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Turboman said:

Black smoke on startup is not normal for Tdi at 80k miles.

Have you had the injectors serviced?

Click to expand...

Turboman said:

And what sort of usage does the vehicle get. At that sort of mileage, I would imagine only occasional use?

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jamesmartin said:

there are several possibilities but has fuel screw on rear of pump been adjusted should show signs of been adjusted, some adjust that s well as boost diaphragm

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zeaphod said:

If the pump set-up is OK it suggests an injector fault, maybe dribbling fuel.

Click to expand...