2.5TDI 180 white smoke on start up

[haytch75]

I’m getting quite a bit of white smoke when starting the car after it's been left overnight and I’d REALLY appreciate a few pointers from those more knowledgeable than me or anyone that's had the same problems. The smoke is white with a blue tinge and only last for around 10-15 seconds. There’s no smoke at all after that and it was MOT’d recently with a smoke test result of 0.32.

Condition wise - It’s pulling fine. The last two tanks have been 34.5mpg, it’s normally 37mpg but I’ve not done as much motorway driving recently. It’s losing no oil or coolant. I’ve noticed the right bank of injectors are a bit sooty, compared to the left bank anyway.

So I’ve trawled the forum and it seems problems could be a bunch of things......coolant temp sensor (temp gauge is behaving normally), Injector problem/seals, fuel return pipes leaking. Any ideas on which of these is more likely, ruling any of them out or suggesting other possible faults??

Thanks in advance. H

 

[quattrojames]

First off you need to establish if it's oil or diesel smoke.

 

[AudiLeon]

White sounds like water. Grey/blue s diesel/oil.
I'd say it's condensation.
Mine used to stink when first started. Disconnected the egr and it's been fine since.

 

[Turkster]

run some injection cleaner through it and a oil change may be on the cards. use the right oil.

 

[haytch75]

Thanks guys. Just back from a week away. I think i'll leave it overnight with my local indi and he can tell me what he thinks once it's been stood.....my sense of smell is crap! I regularly run millers through the tank and it's only ever been serviced by Audi/Specialists so the oil is right.
Will update...... if I get a useful diagnosis!

 

[marktdisport]

it defo sounds like your EGR valve is f+@#ed m8y.... grab some blanking plates of fleabay and try removeing the egr and then have a few days of trying it that way.......

 

[haytch75]

Cheers Mark, didn't think of that. I bought a plate months ago and just not got round to it.

 

[marktdisport]

it seems you may have to also blank of the pipe think turkster done this to stop eml showing may be wrong though

 

[haytch75]

So I've tried a number of things and still no change....I left it with a local independant VAG specialist overnight who suggested that the issues are normal and to be expected from these engines in lower temps. The cloud of smoke on start up is pretty embarrassing though.
To recap:- I only use Shell V-Power and regularly run Millers through it. The battery was tested at 86%. The glow plugs are only 10,000miles old. New fuel and air filter. Oil and filter change recently using Quantum Platinum. Cams are fine. Coolant temp sensor changed. Blocked off EGR. Showing no fault codes. Tried the light-switch trick and no difference. At 175K the car runs perfect and pulls like a train.
I'm going to get the timing checked and look into cleaning the injectors/replacing seals.
If any of you guys have other suggestions I'd appreciate them. Thanks in advance.

 

[swarcup]

my engine is at 135k and there is no smoke on start up, infact it takes a few seconds after start up for there to be anything showing out the exhaust but the initial smoke is white until it warms up. Im no great mechanic but have you had the intake manifolds cleaned out as they can choke up restricting the airflow. As you say the diesel pump timing can cause issues but if it is starting ok then it may not be this. Injectors sound a possibility

 

[Mike B]

So I've tried a number of things and still no change....I left it with a local independant VAG specialist overnight who suggested that the issues are normal and to be expected from these engines in lower temps. The cloud of smoke on start up is pretty embarrassing though.
To recap:- I only use Shell V-Power and regularly run Millers through it. The battery was tested at 86%. The glow plugs are only 10,000miles old. New fuel and air filter. Oil and filter change recently using Quantum Platinum. Cams are fine. Coolant temp sensor changed. Blocked off EGR. Showing no fault codes. Tried the light-switch trick and no difference. At 175K the car runs perfect and pulls like a train.
I'm going to get the timing checked and look into cleaning the injectors/replacing seals.
If any of you guys have other suggestions I'd appreciate them. Thanks in advance.

As you have checked everything else I a gree that it could be the timing.My last 2.5Tdi Q SE used to trail white smoke when cold otherwise ran fine but now I have another which has had a retime after the belts were done and starts quicker without any white smoke I dont think the other one was timed %100 when its belts were done