chopper007 said:

hi guys, i see similar threads on other lanky makes but not our beloved p38

so 1999 BMW diesel

clouds of smoke when i start her up, but soon goes… nothing when i'm driving i can see.. she has 168k miles on her.. so if it's just what it is then fine..

as I've mentioned before i have no real mechanical knowhow.. but if there is an easy test / fix to look at am happy to have a go..

if it's something like dirty injectors, does the fuel additive stuff help ?

cheers as ever

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chopper007 said:

thanks.. she starts ok , even on a cold damp morning after being stood a couple of days.. not getting any long runs at the mo either…
can i check / clean glow plugs ? or is it a change them job ?

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chopper007 said:

ermm…. looks light grey

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Datatek said:

If it's smoke, could well be duff glowplugs. Of course it may just be vapour from condensation in the exhaust, quite normal, especially at this time of year.

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Thor1950 said:

Diesels do that in cold weather on start up...... Once it is warm should stop.
Never saw one that did not smoke on start up in cold weather, regardless of mileage

have a look95 dodge ram 3500 cold start ( nothing special, tried not to bug neighbors ) - YouTube

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Datatek said:

No smoke on mine, plenty of vapour on a cold damp morning though.

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chopper007 said:

ermm…. looks light grey

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