Update: White smoke- a concern?

[Gee]

Update: Today I bought a battery and alternator tester. Battery OK, Alternator NOT. With the engine idling and no lights on or anything the tester was saying that the alternator is fine and charging. As soon as I turned on the head lights, spotties or aircon the tester was saying it was not charging. I tested it about four times with the same result- I also tested it on my wifes Pulsar just to be sure the it wasn't faulty and it was saying that the pulsar's alternator is fine and charging both with and without all electrical components turned on.

Could the white smoke on start up be related to the alternator ie. glow plugs not heating?

And doesn't anyone know what this information about the alternator means? Is it faulty? Or is it struggling to put out enough amps for all my electrical accessories (keeping in mind the tester was indicating that the alternator wasn't charging with only the head lights on). Does anyone know the amp output of the alternator in 4m40 tritons or pajeros?

Any thoughts?

Gee

[Gee]

Just found some information out for myself (for once) 4M40 alternator 65 amps. How difficult is it to upgrade to one of the V6 alternators out of a pajero?

[Bitsamissin]

2.8 diesel Tritons have a 65 amp alternator same as early 4M40 Paj's, later 2.8TDI Paj's have a 90 amp alternator.
It could be related to the glow plugs not getting enough voltage on cold start up hence the white smoke (unburnt fuel).
I'd be taking it to an auto eleccy for a full test.

[Gee]

I starting to think that the alternator is at the core of the white smoke dramas. Charge from battery is getting to the alternator which then struggles to get enough voltage to the plugs- plugs don't heat properly resulting in unburnt fuel= white smoke. Now I've got a big list of things to check/ get done: timing belt, alternator, glow plugs (in that order)- add to the list a leaking gearbox which is being repaired tomorrow$$$.

Anyone interested in buying a slightly used liver- need cash.

[bushydon]

The alternator has nothing to do with white smoke. The reason for white smoke is usually unspent fuel on start up but also can be black. The main reason for white smoke is water either in the exhaust on start up or in the fuel system. Blue smoke = oil being burnt, White smoke = water/ unspent fuel (Water in fuel system) , Black smoke = Excess fuel i.e. too rich a mixture (Sometime blocked air filter will cause this as well)

[4runna]

I don't think he's talking about the white steam that comes out when cold, but white smoke. (seen it that bad it looks like a blown turbo, new set of glowies and she was happy for that customer) (plus an explanation of how to use them

It's not too uncommon with diesels on start-up, usually related to glow plugs.

BTW, IMO, your alternator won't be the problem, the main heat cycle on the glow plugs to start is before the motor is even running, so the alternator is not even in the picture at that stage. they have to heat first before starting, so the battery is the only thing running them.

Also nake sure the alternator is also checked with the engine revving a bit, it's not uncommon for alternators to hate a big load at idlle, but quite happily cope at revs where they're designed to run.

Sorry about not picking up on the timing belt bit, should have noticed that straight away owning one myself!! oops! damn night shift lack of sleep!!

Rob