Citroen C4 1.6HDI - White smoke on startup + Diesel smell in cabin

[fromthesamehill]

Hi All,

After some for advice/steps to tackle a few issues.

Firstly, the car starts each and every time without fail, seems to run and idle nicely. I'm in Scotland and the car has started at -7 two weeks go, with a slightly longer crank but no issues.

My partner took the car today, and I noticed white smoke on startup and as she drove off. Not huge plumes, and they do go away shortly after. Second issue, is when idling, I can smell possibly diesel in the cabin.

1. Is it best just to get a mechanic to check the glow plugs?
2. Regarding smell in cabin, could failed seal around the crankcase breather cause a smell in the cabin? There is a slight leak on it, so I will looking at changing the rubber o-ring.

Ta,

PS - MOT was done in December, think there was a bit of smoke on startup and passed fine. Noticed I didn't get any paperwork regarding emissions test? Presumably it was done, but my first time owning a diesel so not certain.

[moizeau]

Does the diesel smell go away when the engine has warmed up?

[fromthesamehill]

Does the diesel smell go away when the engine has warmed up?

I don't think so. No smell present when driving, but more noticeable in the cabin when coming to a stop and waiting.

Had a look at the injectors just now. All injectors appear fine, but noticed carbon or oil around the first injector. I don't have a torque wrench, but just tested the bolt with a hex tool and it was obviously loose. I've just tightened it with the hex tool but haven't wrenched it or applied force. It runs well and starts every time, so I'm not going to faff with replacing the injector seals - I inspected when it was running and couldn't see an obvious leak, but it may be oil from the rockercase.

I may just get my local mechanic to replace the rockercase/crankcase breather. Maybe the smell is being drawn in from there.

[moizeau]

See if you clean up around the carboned injector, common issue on 1.6 hdi 16v, to see if it's still chuffing. I tweak mine tight every oil change, the last time they were fine.

[fromthesamehill]

See if you clean up around the carboned injector, common issue on 1.6 hdi 16v, to see if it's still chuffing. I tweak mine tight every oil change, the last time they were fine.

Thanks, will do.
Hopefully it's just been gunked up as it was obviously loose when I inspected it. No smoke coming from them whilst running, so hopefully the seals are fine.

[Hell Razor5543]

I believe that this engine is used by several manufacturers, including Volvo, and (if my memory is correct) they check the injector bolts at every service interval, to make sure they are properly torqued up.

[fromthesamehill]

I believe that this engine is used by several manufacturers, including Volvo, and (if my memory is correct) they check the injector bolts at every service interval, to make sure they are properly torqued up.

This was a free banger and hasn't been serviced by the manufacturer for a long time (08 car). The bolt was very obviously loose, I just did tightened it until I felt slight resistance until I can get a torque wrench on it.

[MattBLancs]

Agree sounds like a "chuffing injector". Hopefully caught early.

I swapped the standard "tubular nuts" for M7 Nyloc nuts, to try and discourage them from loosening. Seems to be working. Couldn't find them locally "M7?" But some on eBay cheap enough.

Don't up the torque and studs shear


Wouldn't worry too much about the steam / white smoke on start up. Just keep an eye on it. (Massive clouds, yes something to worry about)

[fromthesamehill]

Agree sounds like a "chuffing injector". Hopefully caught early.

I swapped the standard "tubular nuts" for M7 Nyloc nuts, to try and discourage them from loosening. Seems to be working. Couldn't find them locally "M7?" But some on eBay cheap enough.

Don't up the torque and studs shear


Wouldn't worry too much about the steam / white smoke on start up. Just keep an eye on it. (Massive clouds, yes something to worry about)

Thanks.

I ran the engine and put a bit of water on the base of the injectors to see if I could see any air bubbles, but none at all.

Was this a stupid idea? There is a tiny bit of water pooled there now, unsure if I should drive it for 20 mins or whether it's completely harmless. Learning on the job.

[MattBLancs]

Won't cause any harm I don't think, tell the engine you've been through a very unusual flood if it asks.
Nice period sat in traffic will evaporate that off, but wouldn't do anything specially.

If only a splash of water, perhaps soak up what you can with old towel, sock, rags, etc. Don't recommend kitchen paper as tends to break up, but anything absorbent should soak most up. Feed it down the gaps with flat screwdriver. Wring it out, repeat.

We all have to learn somehow, all part of the fun!

[fromthesamehill]

Won't cause any harm I don't think, tell the engine you've been through a very unusual flood if it asks.
Nice period sat in traffic will evaporate that off, but wouldn't do anything specially.

If only a splash of water, perhaps soak up what you can with old towel, sock, rags, etc. Don't recommend kitchen paper as tends to break up, but anything absorbent should soak most up. Feed it down the gaps with flat screwdriver. Wring it out, repeat.

We all have to learn somehow, all part of the fun!

Thanks - It wasn’t much water, soaked up most of it then took it for a 20 minute spin. Seemed mostly dry. I thought it I was being clever.

Interestingly enough, when I turned the engine off and lifted the bonnet, there was a loud buzzing coming from the engine bay for 20/30 seconds. The only difference was during the 15 minutes of driving I had the recirculating aircon on which I don’t normally, could this be why?

[Hell Razor5543]

The buzzing may be the EGR valve.

[fromthesamehill]

The buzzing may be the EGR valve.

Is this normal?
The sound was probably 20 seconds, and faded to nothing. It didn't suddenly stop but just quietened. Unsure if it's because I was driving the whole time with the recirculating aircon which I tend not to use.

[moizeau]

EGR's normally click, it's their 'cleaning' cycle. Many things make sounds as the different bits go to sleep, don't over think it.

[MattBLancs]

Think the "air doser" that bypasses the intercooler is also a likely source of the noise you describe. Think when engine switched off it then cycles and I guess returns to the bypassing position ready for the next cold start - certainly that's the noisiest thing under the bonnet on our 206