Diesel Engine Problems - The Answer is in the Smoke
We can generally understand what is wrong with a diesel engine by the colour of smoke emitted from the exhaust. There are three basic colours - black, white and blue.
Black Smoke
This is due to a air to fuel ratio imbalance, either the fuel system is delivering too much fuel into the engine or there is not enough clean air (oxygen ) a few things to look for :
- Faulty injectors (injectors need attention at about 100.000 to 120 000 miles)
- Faulty injector pump
- Dirty air cleaner
- Turbocharger or intercooler faulty
- Problems within cylinder head, valves clogged up due to faulty EGR (exhaust gas recycling unit)
White Smoke
Normally means that the fuel injected into the cylinder is not burning correctly. The smoke will burn your eyes.
- Engine/pump timing out
- Fuel starvation to the pump causing the pumps timing not to operate correctly
- Low engine compression
- Water/petrol in the fuel
Blue Smoke
The engine is burning engine oil
- Worn cylinders or piston rings
- Faulty valves or valve stem seals
- Engine over full with engine oil
- Faulty injector pump/lift pump allowing engine oil to be mixed with the diesel