Technical white smoke on cold staring ducato 230 2.5 TDI

[MKUser]

HI,there are other posts with a similar problem but I can´t see a clear solution,so I ask.
I get white smoke on cold starting on my Ducato 230(1997),2.5 TDI.
Depending on how cold and wet is the day,the white smoke longs more time.
I suppose it can be a glow plug but ,could it be another thing like fuel pump or something?
If it´s the glow plug,can you tell me how to change it?Will it be enough to change the bad one or would it be better to change the entire four ?Thanks

 

[g8rpi]

HI,there are other posts with a similar problem but I can´t see a clear solution,so I ask.
I get white smoke on cold starting on my Ducato 230(1997),2.5 TDI.
Depending on how cold and wet is the day,the white smoke longs more time.
I suppose it can be a glow plug but ,could it be another thing like fuel pump or something?
If it´s the glow plug,can you tell me how to change it?Will it be enough to change the bad one or would it be better to change the entire four ?Thanks

Almost certainly a failed glow plug. You test in a number of ways. If you have a meter disconnect them and measure the resistance. The bad one(s) will be higher resistance. If you don't have a better use a test lamp (sidelight bulb) between battery and disconnected glow plugs. Bad one will give no or dim light.
You can just change one, but others may fail soon. It's a balance between ease of changing and cost of plug. If they are easy to change or new plugs are expensive just change the faulty one. If hard to change or new plugs are cheap change all four.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[jontee61]

HI,there are other posts with a similar problem but I can´t see a clear solution,so I ask.
I get white smoke on cold starting on my Ducato 230(1997),2.5 TDI.
Depending on how cold and wet is the day,the white smoke longs more time.
I suppose it can be a glow plug but ,could it be another thing like fuel pump or something?
If it´s the glow plug,can you tell me how to change it?Will it be enough to change the bad one or would it be better to change the entire four ?Thanks

hi MK i think you have the same engine as myself which is the IVECO engine used from 94 to 98 this engine does not have glow plugs as such the system uses a pre heat induction chamber which preheats a small amount of fuel prior to starting as its a direct injection system. the white smoke on start up is just condensation build up which should clear within 20-30 seconds normally. for more information go to fiat ducato WIKIPEDIA. im sure someone more knowledgable then myself will give you a more concise explanation

 

[g8rpi]

hi MK i think you have the same engine as myself which is the IVECO engine used from 94 to 98 this engine does not have glow plugs as such the system uses a pre heat induction chamber which preheats a small amount of fuel prior to starting as its a direct injection system. the white smoke on start up is just condensation build up which should clear within 20-30 seconds normally. for more information go to fiat ducato WIKIPEDIA. im sure someone more knowledgable then myself will give you a more concise explanation

Hi,
This is a "thermostart" system. They still use a glowplug but it is a lower current system and the element looks more like a car cigarette lighter element. They can still fail. If the van has suddenly stated emitting lots of smoke then suspect a failure. The OP will have to determine exactly what his engine uses.
Description here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glowplug
I think the Iveco engine uses a fuel fed plug like this :

The white cap coveres the fuel port.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[MKUser]

Hey,thanks guys for helping...I find some glow plugs like these

http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/glow-plug/fiat-ducato-box-230-2-5-tdi-maxi-116hp_v6003_g243.html

So ,I think I´ll have to check them and see what can be happening.

 

[jontee61]

Hey,thanks guys for helping...I find some glow plugs like these

http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/glow-plug/fiat-ducato-box-230-2-5-tdi-maxi-116hp_v6003_g243.html

So ,I think I´ll have to check them and see what can be happening.

testing your present glowplug may be the way to go and remove it to see which one you have . the information according to wikipedia as follows only one TDI engine was used on FIAT based motorhomes between 94-98 the 2.5tdi 8140-47 116ps 85kw 114hp or if with a CAT 8140-47R 109ps 80kw 108hp their was another 2.5 engine used but that was a TD not a TDI so i suspect it may be the one that looks like a cigar lighter. hope that helps to clarify.

 

[g8rpi]

testing your present glowplug may be the way to go and remove it to see which one you have . the information according to wikipedia as follows only one TDI engine was used on FIAT based motorhomes between 94-98 the 2.5tdi 8140-47 116ps 85kw 114hp or if with a CAT 8140-47R 109ps 80kw 108hp their was another 2.5 engine used but that was a TD not a TDI so i suspect it may be the one that looks like a cigar lighter. hope that helps to clarify.

I don't think I'd trust Wikipedia for determining what engine / glowplug is fitted.
Just looking at the plug should tell which type it is. The thermostart type has a much larger body and the fuel feed connection.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[jontee61]

I don't think I'd trust Wikipedia for determining what engine / glowplug is fitted.
Just looking at the plug should tell which type it is. The thermostart type has a much larger body and the fuel feed connection.

Robert G8RPI.

only a suggestion as i have found wikipedia on this subject to be very reliable
and informative. i do appreciate your point that sometimes the said source can be variable.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

I had this system in my 1998 2.5 TDI and it was possible to see the thermostart plug by removing the rubber inlet duct from the manifold as it was fitted at the point before the manifold branches out.

However my recollection is that the system wasn't designed to come into operation unless the ambient temperature dropped below 5 degrees C.

 

[corcai]

Valve stem seals, oil drips onto pistons when idle and then burns off over the first few minutes. Had one like that with 280k miles, gave the engine to a friend when I scrapped it and he put it in his iveco daily, its still rattling around now 5 years later never got any worse.

 

[g8rpi]

Valve stem seals, oil drips onto pistons when idle and then burns off over the first few minutes. Had one like that with 280k miles, gave the engine to a friend when I scrapped it and he put it in his iveco daily, its still rattling around now 5 years later never got any worse.

Not so likely on starting and smoke tends to be blueish with distinct oily rather than diesel. smell. Normal check for this is a period of over-run (downhill throttle closed) then open throttle cloud of white some indicates worn guides / seals or tubocharger oil leak.

Roert G8RPI.

 

[corcai]

If its diesel it will reek of diesel and could be the cold start advance on the pump, the wax stat can go in these or the cable rusts away. Ours white smoke as was my friends it was definitely engine oil smoke very similar to a glowplug smoke generator

 

[MKUser]

My engine is 8140.47 116 hp 85 kw

 

[g8rpi]

My engine is 8140.47 116 hp 85 kw

Hi,
Sounds like it is thermostart equipped engine. This only comes on a low temperatures so smoke could be normal or it could be a number of things. I don't know this engine so will back out for now.


Robert G8RPI.

 

[jontee61]

My engine is 8140.47 116 hp 85 kw

yeah its the IVECO engine as i suspected non CAT i have identical engine so what i suggest is this if you inspect the glowplug you will see that the fuel to the glowplug goes through a control valve which is open and shut by a seloniod and i suggest to test the seloniod because even if the glowplug is OK no preheated fuel will go into the intake if the seloniod is not activating. may i ask how much and how long for the white smoke to clear from start up.

 

[jackwhoo]

Check that solenoid isn't stuck open constantly adding fuel directly into inlet, this will cause white smoke.

 

[MKUser]

HI,the time for the white smoke dissapearing after starting depends on the weather...If it´s cold and wet,it may takes 15 mns and ,if it´s warm and dry, it may even not appear...