Smoke on start (cold start only)

[derrickvdw]

Hello Patrollers!

It looks like I might have a rare build here. 2012 production from Japan. Y61. Left hand drive. Bought in 2014 and imported to Dakar. DI engine (ZD30DDTi). From what I’m reading, this car should have a CRD?

I digress...

My baby is suffering from a rough start (cranking for 5+ seconds until she runs) and a lot of black and white smoke when started in the morning. If it has been running again within two hours or so of being started, no issues at all. Starts like a dream. There is no smoke when driving. Only on “cold” starts. Keep in mind, it is always starting in +20°C minimum. I’m living in the desert here.

I’ve tried running the glow plugs 3-4 times before starting and no change.

I’m thinking that it is the injectors. I am living in West Africa (Dakar, Senegal) and the diesel here is nasty. I’ve heard that I will blow through injectors like nothing. Also need to change the air filter just to be safe. Lots and lots and lots of sand and dust in the air at this point in time.

Thanks in advance for the tips! Any manuals or links to the sort are greatly appreciated!

Also, just to be sure, do I have a GR, if it is LHD?

Derrick.

[GQtdauto]

Hi there we sure get a wide following , you say air temps always 20c plus but is it your colder time of year ?
It could be your glow plugs or it could be a fuel problem as you say .
I've just discovered that my glow plugs for some reason need longer to do the job of heating but mine have been replaced about a year ago .
Testing the plugs is one way to eliminate one possible cause so if you can get at them take them out and put 12 volts positive to the tip and 12 neg to the thread on the shaft they should go red very quick ( disconnect as soon as it starts to go red) , test them all and see if they're all heating up in the same amount of time if they are problem elsewhere .

[the evil twin]

Agree ^^^^

99% it is Glow Plugs.
White is the unburnt fuel from the first cranks and black is the partially burnt fuel and soot from when it starts to fire

Check them out (costs nothing) and replace any that are faulty.
I'm betting the tips are burnt off or the plug is completely shot
If more than 1 is dodgy then that will be the problem... or at least part of it.

Also... if the fuel is "nasty" then the last thing you want is a CRD engine so having the Di is prob a plus.

[Bidja]

Agree, check out your glow plugs first. Can use a multimeter, the glow plug is essentially a resistor:

"Disconnect wire to the plug.
Remove the plug.
Clean the thread of the plug to make for a good test connection.
Use an ohm meter to check the resistance between the thread and the connector.
Resistance should be below 6 ohms or so. It may be very small (under 1 ohm).
High resistance or infinite resistance indicates a bad plug." On most crook ones this is what you see

Any defective ones, replace them all at same time and run some injector cleaner additive thru with fuel . By the sounds of it I would probably change them out anyway.

[happygu]

As all have said, check glow plugs.

I would also add that the injectors should be fine if it runs OK when it is warm. Temperature doesn't normally affect injectors.

[threedogs]

2012 should be a CRD I used Bosch metal tip glow plugs about $100Aus
easy fix remove the intercooler and then you should have full access.
but mine is a Di and a mighty one at that ha ha ha

[Daveyboyjunior]

Metal tipped all the way...

[GQtdauto]

Just discovered I'm not leaving it long enough for the glow plugs to do the job properly ,I usually just wait till I see the voltmeter jump after an audible click then start but if I wait a few more seconds after that it starts pretty much normal .

[derrickvdw]

Thanks all!!

No one thinks injectors might have something to do with it? I am sort of nervous... will be leaving her sit in the garage for a good month. Will not be started until I get home. Hoping to find a resolution before I leave. Will leave fuel tank full before leaving. Injector cleaner additive is a great idea.

D.

[derrickvdw]

The glow plugs are needed even though the coldest it gets is +20°C? We are normally sitting between +25 to + 40°C

Loads of dust and sand, bad diesel... will keep you all posted, thanks again for the help!

[the evil twin]

The glow plugs are needed even though the coldest it gets is +20°C? We are normally sitting between +25 to + 40°C

Loads of dust and sand, bad diesel... will keep you all posted, thanks again for the help!

Certainly need them here in Perth... my 6.5 V8 pretty much won't start at all without a glow first and my Ford will start after about 5 seconds and blows a huge cloud of smoke to remind you what you forgot to do.

Bad injectors normally smoke under load IE while driving and the more load the more smoke.

Could be a combo if issues but I would certainly rule out the Glow Plugs before attacking anything else...