TD5 Blue smoke......

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Symonds110

New Member
Posts
6
Location
Wiltshire
Hi,

I've recently purchased an ex military 2003 110 TD5 SW knowing it needed some TLC. (Not my first LR but first TD5)

Initially it would not start (when cold) and had a reputable specialist look into the issue, they started with the usual suspect and changed the injector loom, cleaned the red plug and ecu of oil. This improved the situation but did not resolve it.

Then the glow plugs were found to be faulty and replaced (head off as one snapped and seized) and new glow plug relay also fitted.

Whilst the head was off new genuine injector seals were fitted.

The fuel pump in the tank was also tested and found to be running at 10 psi so was pulled and replaced. Also the fuel filter housing was replaced as it was corroded and generally a bit manky, along with new genuine fuel filter.

The beast would now start albiet reluctantly when cold but with a plume of grey / black smoke with a hint of blue but would then run fine. And start fine when warm.

However, when in traffic say 10mph in first gear under constant throttle it developed a party piece of throwing plumes of blue smoke out the back (only when at running temperature) this clears by blipping the throttle or under acceration. It does not lose power etc when doing this.

I have also replaced the
CKP,
MAF,
Water Temp Sensor,
Blanked EGR,
Cleaned MAP sensor,
Used a good quality injector cleaner,
Cleaned inlet manifold,
And run it on branded diesel not supermarket fuel.

So to summarise my tale of woe, its a **** to start cold but will start, and in traffic at 10mph in first will do its best to do kill anyone behind me!!

Anyone got any ideas???
 
id say a compression test would help, but as its a td5 you can only test the first 4 cylinders in the traditional way, so you need to find a garage that can do an electronic compression test
 
A TD5 engine should start almost first turn in normal UK weather, i.e. around minus 7 Deg C
Any idea of the mileage? Mines on 194000 now and doesn't smoke at all.
Is it using oil?
An oil leak from the turbo will cause blue smoke.
Worth checking all the intake hoses and the inter-cooler for leaks/splits.
If the simple checks, including a compression test, dont show up anything, then it may injector related.
Testing injectors is quite simple, remove, send to someone like Merlin diesels, costs £30 each takes a few days.
Lets us know how it goes.
Mark
 
Mark, I should have said in the initial post that I've checked all the hoses on the turbo (both sides) and intercooler all are clean. Its done 130k and doesn't use oil.

My thoughts were also to look at injectors next as a few diesel mechanics have said a faulty injector will present the symptoms I'm having.

It is back in the garage courtesy of RAC recovery as it would appear the genuine fuel pump that was fitted last month has decided to pack in! The joys of Land Rover ownership!
 
Ok thanks for update.
Very strange that a new, genuine pump would give problems.
Hopefully the garage wont get into the swap this/that/swap it back game!
Merlin Diesels are here: http://www.merlindiesel.com/
They are a pretty friendly lot and they have the correct Hartridge tester, not all diesel "experts" have one, I found out the expensive way!
BTW If the smoke thats produced is "heavy/acrid" then its a flag for an injector issue, on a non ECU controlled engine its a sign for miss-timing.
Also, try to get your CPS (Crank Position Sensor) checked, incl its wiring, its very cheap, so replacement is the best thing to do.
A bad CPS will throw up all kinds of issues, worth a try.
Finally, when they cleaned out the red plug on the ECU, how oily was it? If it was bad, oil could have got into the ECU which, again can cause issues.
Mark
 
Fortunately the garage I use is owned by two chaps I grew up with so I have complete faith in them, as I would ring their mum otherwise

I replaced the crank sensor and checked the wiring about a month ago, the oil had got into the ecu but was cleaned inspected and tested.

The fuel pump is a strange one and will hopefully be resolved quickly.

Thanks for the tip about Merlin I will give them a call in the morning about testing my injectors, the smoke is thick and acrid so fingers crossed it will identify a dicky injector!
 
Blue smoke is engine oil burning and could be worn rings or turbo bearing. Important to sort it as can lead to an engine run away where the engine runs to destruction on its own oil.
White smoke is actually steam and is coolant being boiled off in the cylinders. More often than not a leaking head gasket. A sniff test on a diesel engine is not really that accurate so don't rely on that alone. Check for pressurised coolant hoses and bubbles in the coolant. Get compression test done preferably with an electrical load tester as you can't get to the back cylinder for a traditional compression test through the glow plug hole.
Black smoke is caused by over fuelling and is unburned diesel which could be caused by leaking injectors or even a dirty air filter.
 
bearing in mind if it is blue smoke
valve stem seals .or turbo leaking oil ..also to much high crank case pressure and the turbo is then not allowed to drain oil quick enough

reading the first post seems like its had a hard life

but never mentioned new air cleaner
a clogged air filter will result in the turbo to suck from other places ..hence the oil supply
 
Quick update, starting problem resolved now starts first turn hot or cold, the issue was a combination of dicky new fuel pump and fuel filter housing.

The blue smoke issue as it only does it under very specific conditions / speed etc is looking more and more like a faulty injector....spoke to Merlin and will be sending my injectors to them in the new year!
 
Sooo after much poking and proding and not getting to the bottom of the issue I bit the bullet and replaced the engine.....

On stripping it down no1 was the issue!

Thanks for all the help and advice
 
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