306TD starting problems

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » 26 Feb 2005, 20:57

Hello all,
When starting my car i get a lot of smoke, i have changed all the glow plugs with NGK ones, adjusted all sims to correct gap, played with the idea of pumping the primming bulb till its hard and using the glow plug light a couple of times but it's still a problem. once the engine has started it sounds lumpy like it is only running on three cylinders, after a few secconds its fine and all the smoke stops, does not smoke while driving and i still get good MPG.could the injectors be at fault? could one maybe drip diesel into a cylinder while stopped but on start up the fuel begin to burn off.
P.S no smoke if engine is restarted within two to three hours of last start up
any advive would be great

bad driver · Post by **bad driver** » 26 Feb 2005, 22:29

would reccomend a compression test on all cylinders to rule out compression issues, try running some injector cleaner through it and giving it a good blast out to clear everything.

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 26 Feb 2005, 23:33

Run off pipes all OK. My old ZX TD did this and it was aleaky fule run off pipe on number four injsector (timing belt end).

mark c · Post by **mark c** » 27 Feb 2005, 04:06

first question i would ask is what colour is the smoke?

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » 27 Feb 2005, 19:23

The smoke is blue but smells of diesel not oil, Also i did have the car booked in for a compression test this weekend but the place never opened saturday, but will try again for this week.
P.S when i book it in for a injector test i will replace all the link pipes

pug_owner2002 · Post by **pug_owner2002** » 27 Feb 2005, 21:11

Hi,
I had the same problem with my 97 R reg D Turbo.
I changed the glow plugs, had the injectors reconed, compression tested etc and still had the problem.
The problem disappeared on mine after the turbo was reconditioned so I belive that was causing the problem on mine!
Are you using genuine glow plugs? some times the non genuine don't get to temperature quick enough - try waiting about 10 to 15 seconds after the dash light has gone out then start the car and see if this helps.
Hope this might help.

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » 02 Mar 2005, 02:36

Hello all, I have been an had my fuel pump timing set again and it seems to have sorted the problem, but will keep you posted. Thank's for all your help

amjake · Post by **amjake** » 06 Mar 2005, 02:24

Hi All
I have a similar problem on my 405 TD Est.
Smoke is blue on start up (first one of the day, all others are ok), which I assume to be oil and yet oil level never needs topping up between 6,000 services.
Garage say it is likley to be a drip of oil via the valve collars which do harden up, replacement is a 'head off' job so bear with it until the 'head' needs to come off.
So I would ask True/False?
Cheers
Jake

tonespeed1999 · Post by **tonespeed1999** » 06 Mar 2005, 02:39

most of the XUD series engines start lumpy,i would say its one of the characturistics of the engine,sometimes the seats stick in the injectors slighty causing fuel to dribble into the cylinders over night.9 times out of 10 when you take them to a diesel specialist there is nothing wrong with them.have you tried a good diesel fuel cleaner in your tank yet? its the cheapest option,as injector servicing costs around £80+ .

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » 06 Mar 2005, 15:42

That is what i was trying to find out at the start, could injector cleaner sort out the dripping? what sort should you use? did have some but lent it to a friend and never got it back! so if your reading this wal750 i'm watching you!!!

tonespeed1999 · Post by **tonespeed1999** » 06 Mar 2005, 15:45

any well known brand will do:wynns,forte,wurth or even try halfords.the cleaner isnt garunteed to cure problems but will certainly help.

amjake · Post by **amjake** » 06 Mar 2005, 16:10

Hi
Have had my injectors reconditioned a while back and am a regular user of Redex.
Last week though on a recommendation I tried Millers Diesel Power Plus http://www.millersoils.net/index2.html and am impressed enough to recommend.
I use Tesco to fill up and using Millers for over 300miles have noticed a difference in acceleration, tickover and quicker & smoother running from cold, especially with the weather we have had over the past week!
Blue smoke still there at start up though, which I guess will stick with untill the head comes off!
Cheers, Jake

wal750 · Post by **wal750** » 07 Mar 2005, 01:53

I've used millers before in my 306 xtdt (1994 101k).
Seemed to run slightly smother at cold tickover.
Would recommend using this additive.

fastandfurryous · Post by **fastandfurryous** » 08 Mar 2005, 16:59

If it is a bit of oil getting past the valve stem oil seals, then this is not a bad thing. When I had the head off my 1994 405 TD, the valve stem seals had been doing such a good job that the guides were completely bone dry and worn out (like 1-2mm of play at the valve head!!) Rather than having the guides changed for identical units, I opted for the earlier style, which have no stem seals. This allows a little bit of oil to run down the stems and lubricate them. The car does now put out the tinyest of tiny whiffs of blue smoke on startup, but it lasts about half a nano-second, and I am happy that my valve guides are not being eaten away.
If it does turn out to be crusty valve stem seals, they can actually be changed with the head in position, although it's not easy. It involves removing the camshaft, putting the piston at tdc, and pressing the valve face against it while removing the collets, in order to get to the seal. Because the valve face and the piston face are paralell, you don't cause any damage, but you have to be ultra careful not to rotate the crankshaft, otherwise the valve will drop into the cylinder! oops.