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Diesels + smoke...
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:24 am
by @cer
Hi guys,
Ive been looking at buying a Hilux 4x4 Dual Cab 2.8D between 1990 and 1996. I have looked at 6 sofar and of which 2 have looked very nice etc etc but blow black smoke...
What I want to know is, is black smoke bad? Is there any normal smoke that comes with diesels?
Tell me the difference between black, blue and white smoke and which is good/normal/bad...
Also, what else should be signs to look out for for engine/gearbox/drive train wear on these model hilux's?
Thanks guys.
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:48 am
by Tiny
DumbDunce will prolly answer best, but could be injectors
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:54 am
by dumbdunce
black smoke is partially burned fuel, and usually a sign that the injectors require servicing - around $300 for a 4 clyinder truck. use it to haggle the price down.
blue smoke (oil) and white smoke (unburned fuel) or steam are far more worrying.
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:02 am
by @cer
so basically black smoke isnt anything to worry about... just a good service and new injectors will fix the problem?
i just want to be sure that i dont buy a truck which will die a few months later
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:45 pm
by Mick G
My TD5 Disco has blown smoke since I got it and it had new injectors put in about 8 months ago along with a remapped ECU. ECU now injects more fuel for power but with this comes more black smoke when not pushing it too hard. By all accounts this is normal and diesels blow smoke what ever.
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:36 pm
by dumbdunce
@cer wrote:so basically black smoke isnt anything to worry about... just a good service and new injectors will fix the problem?
i just want to be sure that i dont buy a truck which will die a few months later
yep that's pretty much it. the idle is a decent indicator of diesel engine health - if the idle is smoky, rattly or uneven, it could be any number of things - some relatively cheap, some very very expensive - it's best to walk away. if there is some smoke especially under power, but the engine runs smoothly and idles evenly (no diesel idle is really 'smooth'!), then the engine is good.
Service history on the L series diesels is critical, if it has not had fresh oil every 5000km for its life, best to walk away. check under the oil filler cap for sludge - the consistency of dessert jelly but black. it's ok for the oil to be black, but not thick.
cheers
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:54 pm
by BundyRumandCoke
Bright white/blue smoke on initial cold start up for a minute or so is normal too. When they warm up, it turns black.