Club 80-90 Forums

hi help needed, van as started to smoke(not black) heavily on start up, after about 5 mins this goes and is ok while driving, my brother thinks it is drawing air into the fuel, could he be right? if so how do i stop it or any other suggestions would be greatly recieved.
regards dave

Hello,

if I'm not mistaken you've got a 1y engine? Assuming you have, then air being drawn in is a possibility - it's probably not cold enough yet to cycle the glow plugs, but if they weren't working when it was cold this would cause white smoke too. It's unlikey but possible also it's water from the cooling system from a slightly leaking head gasket - are you losing any water?

If you're getting air ingress to cause white smoke, you'll have extended starting times - do you have that? Check all the lines from the tank to the pump, and if I were you in any case I'd install a non-return valve - air leaks are tricky to find.

If not, then I'd check the timing - if it's too retarded it might do this when cold. Do you still have a cold-advance lever installed? If so that's a test you could try, but it's not a substitute for a properly timed pump.

Hope this helps a bit, otherwise we'll see what Oldie's crystal ball comes up with

Ewen