Hdi white smoke on start up??

[Timmo]

evening all,
noticed when mother fired up her car earlier (307hdi sw -i know its a pug but tis bit busier here!!;-) ) had a cloud of white smoke rather than the usual blck puff!
thought id tap into the collective!

ta muchly in advance,
timmo.

[myglaren]

Unburned diesel.
Was it slow to start?
Mine is often slow to start after resting for 12 hours or more and can emit an embarrassingly large cloud of white smoke.

[charentejohn]

Mine does that clear to start with but starts after about 30 seconds and it lasts about 2 mins, longer if a cold day. Looks like exhaled cigarette smoke consistency / colour. Only does it first thing and doesn't repeat it for the rest of the day.

If that is what your does then, based on info recieved here, it could be just water vapour evapourating from a warming exhaust. Condenses in there overnight when it cools, especially if damp outside.
I did a test of putting my hand over the tailpipe, in the smoke, and then doing a sniff test. It didn't smell of anything so I am pretty sure it is just water.

[Timmo]

Thats the stuff guys, nothing to worry about then,
thank you muchly!

[myglaren]

Mine is assuredly not water vapour.
It doesn't smell much like diesel either - has a somewhat alcoholic smell, like Isopropanol.

[Citroen Surf Bus]

Hi,
ever fix that white smoke on cold startup?
I've had it bad today!

[Timmo]

No, cars still going fine, struggles to start on Colder days, will ask mother when she is back from her current trip,

[myglaren]

I had a period of much white smoke on startup a few years ago and it was a dud injector.

[Timmo]

Did it drive okay despite the iffy injector??

[myglaren]

Yep.

[Paul-R]

It could also be a duff glow plug or two. As we get more cold weather the need for them, even on HDi engines, increases and unburned fuel gives the white smoke you can see. You'll probably also get uneven running but that can also be symptomatic of a faulty injector.

[Timmo]

Hmmmmn, food for thought there, will have a nose about the web to see if I find some bits to pass on to her!