Freelander 1 Smoking TD4 failed MOT. Any pointers welcomed.

flanagaj · Jan 6, 2018

The 2003 TD4 failed the MOT today because of the level of smoking. Bluish smoke and the rev pickup is so sluggish. I'll be honest and say I haven't changed the oil in 2 years, but the vehicle has had the EGR blanked off and the crank case breather changed to the BMW one which does not have the replaceable filter so I doubt it is that being blocked.

If you sit at traffic lights and rev the car, the smoke is rather shocking and everyone (quite rightly) stares in disgust.

Car also seems to be much faster first thing when driven cold, as soon as the engine warms the performance seems to drop through the floor.

Any help as to what it could be or what to try would be most welcomed.

Thanks

GrumpyGel · Jan 6, 2018

Hope the lack of maintenance hasn't knackered your turbo.

flanagaj · Jan 6, 2018

GrumpyGel said:
Hope the lack of maintenance hasn't knackered your turbo.

I too did think that. I have already replaced it 3 years ago because of the same thing :-( Is there a way to tell if it is the turbo?

Nodge68 · Jan 6, 2018

Boost pipes, vac pipes, dirty air filter, blocked turbo filter and so on. Maintenance is the key to a happy engine and clean bill of health at MOT time.

guineafowl21 · Jan 6, 2018

Service it and get back to us

I serviced a Puma Defender my mate bought recently - air filter like a mouse’s nest, oil thick, black and sticky, fuel filter full of slime. It ran so much better afterwards, and gave off loads of black diesel smoke for the intial run, whcih cleared. My guess is the ECU was relearning fuelling with a more free-flowing supply. Why did the seller spend £12,000 on a machine and not service it? Beats me.

Alibro · Jan 7, 2018

No oil change in two years is fine if you're only doing 2000 miles per year. If doing 10k or more per year its ****ing stupid.
Sorry mate but it's what everyone else here is thinking but too polite to say.

flanagaj · Jan 7, 2018

Alibro said:
If doing 10k or more per year its ****ing stupid.
Sorry mate but it's what everyone else here is thinking but too polite to say.

Don't be sorry! I'm a lazy arse who never learns these things until it's usually too late.
I'll have a look at the the things people mention on here and see if that makes a difference.

goonarmy · Jan 7, 2018

Big service then a decent run down a fast road/s. Might clear it.

deangermouse · Jan 7, 2018

I would do a leak back test on the injectors, kit from the web is under £20 and is easy to do. Rules them out at least

Alibro · Jan 7, 2018

deangermouse said:
I would do a leak back test on the injectors, kit from the web is under £20 and is easy to do. Rules them out at least

LOL, 20 quid is way to expensive for me.
This is me testing my Zafira.

I've since got 4 100ml sample pots so now it's even calibrated.

Mr S1 · Jan 7, 2018

Put some Forte diesel treatment & EGR cleaner in the tank in conjunction with a proper service - that stuff works wonders.

Tannaton · Jan 9, 2018

Would agree with the earlier point that on older diesel engines - you can really see and improvement after a dirty oil change.

Freelander 1 Smoking TD4 failed MOT. Any pointers welcomed.

flanagaj

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GrumpyGel

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flanagaj

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Nodge68

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guineafowl21

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Alibro

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flanagaj

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goonarmy

Beer tester

deangermouse

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Alibro

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Mr S1

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Tannaton

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