Smoke On Startup

[morris1524]

Problem:  Smokes pretty badly on startup.

Question:  How likely is it that this is caused by timing, or how likely is it the glow plugs?  Fuel issue?

Background:

I just had my timing belt replaced, since they had to get to the motor mount, supposedly to reduce the shaking when cold.

About the same time, I switched over from diesel to biodiesel.  I can say my problem is not the fuel per se, since it is perfect in my 03 TDI.  Also, I replaced the fuel filter.

A few times it did not start.  So, I checked (it was bad) and replaced the glow plug fuse.  Now it starts every time, but it still smokes when cold.

Once it begins to warm up, even after only a few hundred yards, it runs fine.

Thank in advance for the help.  Also, any tips on protocol here please pitch in.  This is my first post here.

PS.  I am a total Newbie at working on these things, but willing to learn.  My BD making skills are way ahead of my mechanic skills  :roll:

[Vincent Waldon]

Since it runs fine once it warms up... my money is on the glow plugs.

To test them in the car you need an ammeter that can handle 50 amps... you measure the current draw and if it's less that expected one or more plugs are gone. Or, pull them, hook to a battery, and see if they get hot.

Another possibility is retarded timing... when they did the belt did they also do the timing ??

[morris1524]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I believe they did have to set the timing when they replaced the timing belt.

What should the timing be set at?  Does the fact that I use BD have any effect on that?

Thanks again.

Andrew

[morris1524]

Thanks again for the input.

I took it back to the place the did the timing belt/motor mount.

They found that they had set the timing wrong - about .55 or so.

It runs like a top now, and shakes much less.  Power seems better too.

[burn_your_money]

yeah 0.55 will definitely do it. What color was the smoke?

[morris1524]

Smoke was kind of white, with a bit of grey.

What can we tell from that?

Again, what should the timing be?

Andrew

[burn_your_money]

Timing ranges from 0.80mm - 1.10mm most people run 1.00mm

The smoke color matches what I would have thought it to be for retarded timing, just wanted to check

[bigblockchev]

I use B100 as well and have not found it necessary to make any timing adjustments to compensate. Cheers Dan

[jtanguay]

although if your pump was calibrated to run on B100, you would see an economy/power increase.

[morris1524]

by calibrated to run on b100, what exactly do you mean?

what changes are made?

Thanks!

Andrew