yet another problem (grey smoke)

[paliel]

here i am again....worrying about my surf...
well after i fixed the problem with my idlerarm...bang i have the next problem...
now, if i leave the car standing for a youple of days, and its cold, then when i start it again, the engine,when turned on, doesnt run smooth for the first 5-10seconds, it wobbles, and shakes and fights to stay turned on, there is also a big cloud of grey smoke coming out...
now i checked the forum and ppl say it could be:

batteries
old glow plugs or somefin
oil pressure
etc etc...
has this problem occured to anybody else? is it common? and whats wrong with my new beauty???
ideas? thanks manu

[Sancho]

I'd go for glowplugs. Check the 80A fuse.

Incidentally, you're most welcome here, but people who are awake at the same time as you can be found at:

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au

[paliel]

I checked the 80afuse in the fusebox. it seems in good condition, nothing is blown, no break in the metal....so what else could it be, the injectors??? maybe the oilpressure...is grey smoke oil or diesel??
thanks

[BUSHWHACKER]

Do you know that the glowplugs are all working? The fuse may be OK but if the glowplugs are shot then they won't get hot. (Hey, that rhymed!)
If you have a 2.4, leave the ignition on for at least five or six seconds before cranking.

Anyhoo, try a bottle of diesel injector cleaner in your tank, or better still, remove the fuel filter, empty the fuel out and pour the injector cleaner into it and re-fit the filter.

[Sancho]

I checked the 80afuse in the fusebox. it seems in good condition, nothing is blown, no break in the metal....so what else could it be, the injectors??? maybe the oilpressure...is grey smoke oil or diesel??
thanks

Oil pressure wouldn't really affect starting. Oil is normally blue smoke. Check the level and, assuming it's fine, you can discount it.

[paliel]

where can i check the glowplugs???
and the smoke is getting worse...if i put the gear in P and acceleate to 4rpm then there is even a little black smoke...

[Sancho]

When did you last change the filters?

You're obviously not terribly mechanically minded, have you tried taking it to a garage?

[cataclysm]

Normal wear on an older engine would do this. Letting it sit for a few days will mean oil will seep into the cylinders from valve guides etc.

Older diesels are a bit smokey on start-up. As long as it clears up within a few dozen yards of throttle-open driving then you're probably fine.

[paliel]

yeah i know...my mechanical knowledge is limited...i do have to admit..
ill prob change the filter now and get a new idler arm and finish...if it still smokes a bit..ill take the last suggestion here and just dont worry about it too much...i mean its not a 2007Mercedes G...its an 91 car....so thx for your help!!

[legendgamesmaster]

now, if i leave the car standing for a youple of days, and its cold, then when i start it again, the engine,when turned on, doesnt run smooth for the first 5-10seconds, it wobbles, and shakes and fights to stay turned on, there is also a big cloud of grey smoke coming out...

Same here. I changed the glow plugs - one was most definately not up to standard, but the change didnt resolve anything. So I suspected injectors clogged up, not spraying the fuel properly. But to be safe, I changed the fuel filter - my god it was dirty! clogged up with brown muck, really really dirty - no wonder it struggled on start up.

Anyway, replaced the filter and it zoomed into life instantly. Its not 100% perfect though, so I still suspect injectors need cleaning. I might have a bit of an air leak in a fuel pipe too, since I find that priming the fuel filter helps too.

I had a fuel filter primer that was cracked a couple of years ago and got the same problem.

Im my old Merc, I had a leaky pump, and when parked up hill it would drain the fuel from the pump and be a biyatch to start up! had to park nose-down to ensure I didnt flatten the batteries!!!

SO: check the fuel filter first (and air filter too) get the pack from Milners or from Roughtrax (I prefer RT to Milners, but the Milners deal is better).

To change the filter, its easiest to unbolt the whole thing from the bulkhead, then replace on the work bench.

Good Luck old chap.

[paliel]

good advice thx m8....