xantia - white smoke on starting

MickyA · Post by **MickyA** » 29 Nov 2002, 20:15

My 1996 Xantia 1.9TD emits clouds of white smoke on starting from cold. The car idles unevenly but this settles down as soon as I pull away. I've had the injectors checked by a specialist and replaced the glow plugs. I left the car with a main Citroen dealer to check it out and after two days I was told 'it smokes a lot when you start it' (Duh!). I've done over 70k in the car and it sails through emissions tests but I'd love to fix the problem. I seem to remember a thread in this forum discussing air in the fuel system causing this problem. Does anyone have any basic advice on how I can check the fuel system to determine is this is the cause? Any help would be much appreciated.
Micky
M Anderson

mbunting · Post by **mbunting** » 29 Nov 2002, 21:24

I would be inclined to check the glowplug relays first.
Although your glowplugs 'appear' to be working, they actually stay on for a while AFTER the light has gone out. Try counting to ten after the light has gone out, and see if this makes a difference ( it does with mine - I have a problem with one of them <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> ).
As regarding air in the fuel line, try parking facing uphill for a few nights, then downhill for a few nights. See if there is any difference.
Regards
Mat.

sooty · Post by **sooty** » 01 Dec 2002, 23:52

A retarded injection timing can cause white smoke, did anyone check this when they did the injectors and glow plugs ? or if you have water in the fuel.
It might be a good thing to have the timing checked and have the fuel filter replaced.
Sooty

Post by **RichardW** » 02 Dec 2002, 01:05

I'd also check the valve clearances - exhaust valve recession is not unkown in XUDs leading to low compression at cold starts, making the white smoke (unburnt diesel). I just live with it!
Richard

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 02 Dec 2002, 15:33

Hi, I have had a similar problem with my old BX. When you start the car, does it start first time? Does it take a lot of turning over before it starts and when it does start does the smoke go once you start to move away? At night do you seem to have a smoke plume when your driving with a car behind you lokking in looking through your rear view mirror? If the answer to no to the first question and yes to the rest, the answer is that your glowplugs need replacing, even though they are new. Replace them with top quality plugs. You may have just one plug not working properly. The smoke isn't smoke, its just unburnt fuel and normal for a diesel engine. When you press the throttle fuel is pumped into the chamber but only a certain amount can be burned and the rest is pumped out the the exhaust, therefore the white smoke.
Hope this is a help
Paul
Wrinklet1@ntlworld.com

MickyA · Post by **MickyA** » 03 Dec 2002, 17:53

Thanks for all the replies folks. I've pretty much ruled out the glowplugs themselves as the problem has persisted with two new sets and a set a garage tried. The car always starts first time but I've noticed that it is slightly better if I count to five after the light goes out (I'll try ten!) so Mat may be on to something. The car is due a new timing belt and a new fuel filter can't hurt so I'll try these, and I live on a hill so I'll try that too. It cost me quite a lot having several garages check out the car after I bought it though none solved the problem. I've lived with it for a few years now but it irritates me and I can't help scratching!
Thanks again
Micky
M Anderson

qwerty · Post by **qwerty** » 06 Dec 2002, 02:39

Hi .
Ihave had this on a305 xud peugeot dieseland it turned out to be a faulty cylinderhead gasket leaking water into the cylinders overnight. water required topping up every now and then . New gasket cured problem.Hope this of some help.

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 06 Dec 2002, 02:48

You could also try pumping up the fuel pressure with the rubber bulb before attempting to start. That will eliminate the possibilty of air in the fuel line.
//NiSk