Hi
I have a Peugeot expert DW8 engine 54 plate that has issues when I start it up. It has been laid up for 4 months.
1. It struggles to start when cold
2. When it starts there is loads of white smoke (enough to leave a ring on the ground) and with misfiring.
3. If turn it off and restart it sounds like all I can describe it as is a man with a hammer in the engine and smoke but not as much.
4. Leave it idling there is a little smoke, the man with a hammer goes after 5 minutes and idles sweet. Rev it up and the man with a hammer returns
5. after approximately 10 minutes the man with the hammer suddenly stops and everything is perfect.
6. Restart after 1 hour and same happens again.
Any help and advice gratefully received!
Thanks in advance
DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
Might be a coolant leak into a cylinder, which seals up as the engine heats and metal & seals expand.
White smoke is usually indictive of either coolant or engine oil consumption.
Is the oil level good, not too high/low?
Coolant level good, no black specs or gunk/oily rings in expansion tank?
Could also be a fuelling issue but why it would get better as engine heats up is puzzling.
Is the hammering coming from an injector/top end or another part on the engine?
White smoke is usually indictive of either coolant or engine oil consumption.
Is the oil level good, not too high/low?
Coolant level good, no black specs or gunk/oily rings in expansion tank?
Could also be a fuelling issue but why it would get better as engine heats up is puzzling.
Is the hammering coming from an injector/top end or another part on the engine?
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- Donor 2024
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
Glow plug fault, sticky valve tappets, air filter blocked ? Was it ok before you stopped using it 4 months ago ?
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
Hi it is definitely a fuel problem. It leaves a black ring on the floor! Will look at injectors. Oil is all ok.
I bought it recently with failed mot, passed emissions in August, failed mot on steering
Thanks for your help so far
I bought it recently with failed mot, passed emissions in August, failed mot on steering
Thanks for your help so far
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
I concur. These engines can hammer their valves into their seats over time and this can close up the valve clearances to the extent the valves can be held very slightly open when stone-cold, especially when the ambient temperature is very low - as now. This causes a lack of compression and all the symptoms you are seeing.PaulC5 wrote: 01 Jan 2025, 21:15 Glow plug fault, sticky valve tappets, air filter blocked ? Was it ok before you stopped using it 4 months ago ?
A quirk of the engine that as it warms up, the engine 'grows' in such a way as to open up the valve clearances and restore normal running.
However, as the problem returns after an hour, it's more likely, in this case, to be the glowplugs. Correct operation of these are essential to good hot and cold starting, it being and IDI engine. They also remain alight (post-heating) until the coolant temperature tops 60C.
So, check the glowplugs and their operation first and if this does not fully resolve the issue, check the valve clearances with the engine stone-cold.
Unless you know they have been replaced recently with known good quality ones, I'd be tempted to renew the glowplugs as a matter of course. Therir operation c an be checked with a voltmeter attached to one. See at least 11 volts whilst they are initially heating and this will fall to 0V when the glowplug warning light goes off. Then check you see at least 11-12V once the (cold) engine is running to indicate post-heating is in operation.
If that fails, come back for more advice.
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
Thanks: new glow plugs on order. When went to start this cold morning it struggled. Will come back if problem continues
Thanks
Thanks
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- A very naughty boy
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Re: DW8 Peugeot expert van- smoking and banging on start up
Fingers crossed the new glowplugs fixes itNdyer82 wrote: 02 Jan 2025, 16:04 Thanks: new glow plugs on order. When went to start this cold morning it struggled. Will come back if problem continues
Thanks

We all struggled a bit to get started this morning

Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...