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Author Topic: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?  (Read 5178 times)

September 18, 2018, 10:17:03 pm

soma56

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White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« on: September 18, 2018, 10:17:03 pm »
Consistent with a couple of other posts here on this forum, that the awesome community here has been courteous enough to point me in the right direction, I'm considering new injectors. 1.6 TD.

The problem: I have white smoke (un-burnt diesel) from the exhaust - not horrific but enough to have the neighbors shake their head and more then I'm comfortable with. It especially shoots out when raising the rpm. It's definitely not coolant.

Some things that I've done leading up ponder on why I think this is a faulty fuel injector(s) issue:

Bent valves? The cylinder head was recently replaced after being machine and in excellent shape. No cracks between valves. Tested for leaks with it sitting upside down and leaving a puddle of wd-40 on each valve. 7 out of 8 valve stems didn't budge with the 8th having a very, very slow minor leak that I'm not even concerned about as the compression test came back as 410 PSI for this piston.

Bad HG? Fresh head gasket (1 hole) after measuring the protrusion of the piston from multiple points.

Bad compression? Compression was tested - it's excellent (between 385 and 410 PSI) considering the age/use of the motor. Little blow-by (and no smoke) from the top of the valve cover.

Turbo issue? I rebuilt the turbo (new seals, etc.) but for good measure - I bypassed the turbo (direct air into the engine) and yet I still have the same amount of white smoke.

Too much/little fuel? I'm familiar with the 'max set screw' on the IP and have adjusted it relentlessly. Recently put in some fresh seals in the top of the pump (no leaks - she's good to go and working correctly). In one case I set the max fuel down to the point where such little fuel goes into the system that it hardly goes above idle when flooring it. My logic was 'less fuel, less chances of smoking' - this isn't the case.

Timing? I have the special timing tool and done it on several occasions. She's bang on.

Fluid levels (oil/rad/etc.) are all consistent. This leaves me with only one other possibility: the fuel injectors. I should also point out I've been running on waste veg oil for years. It's my understanding this can have an impact on injectors (let alone other parts of the system). I have no means of 'testing' the injectors. Although I did take note of one ingenious method in which someone 'turned' the fuel lines 90 degrees from the IP so that the injector was 'accessible' to see if they were spraying. Each one is 'spraying' but they seemed more like a hose pattern and excessive. I have no benchmark to go by so I don't know if it's 'excessive' or otherwise healthy. I suspect it should be more like a 'mist' with this engine.

With all that said everything is pointing towards replacing all the fuel injectors to 'hopefully' take care of this white smoke issue. I honestly don't know what else it could be at this point. She runs just fine, lots of power and kick for what the old 1.6's are worth (especially with the turbo). Fuel injectors are expensive (let alone seemingly rare as I'm discovering) so I'm reaching out to see if anyone has any insight. Is there something I've missed? Thoughts? Experiences? Suggestions? Or (I've done everything you would do) and just go ahead and spend the money on new injectors?
« Last Edit: September 18, 2018, 10:27:36 pm by soma56 »



Reply #1September 18, 2018, 11:05:20 pm

ORCoaster

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2018, 11:05:20 pm »
As you know sometimes the specs for timing are not what they seem to be.  Yes the tool says it is 90 mm but the engine is worn or not and sees the fuel coming at a different time then what the specs would have us believe.  Try putting the timing back and then forward from where you have it now. 

I know its work you would rather not do but it could change the smoke issue just enough to save ordering 4 new injectors or having them rebuild with new nozzles.

I didn't see where you tried changing the timing; just that it was correct as per label on the car fender or Bentley.

Try it and let us know if it helped any.

Reply #2September 19, 2018, 12:49:53 am

libbydiesel

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2018, 12:49:53 am »
Make sure you have a clear line on the supply and return from the pump.  When you start it, are there any bubbles in the line?  Air in the fuel will cause it to smoke white.

Does it smoke constantly?  Just when cold?  Just at low rpms?  Just at high rpms?

Have you made sure the cold start lever was pushed in when you timed it?

It is NOT "too much or too little fuel".  "Too much" fuel makes the engine accelerate.  "Too little" makes it slow down.  Neither one makes it smoke abnormally.  All the accelerator pedal does is add more or less fuel.

Reply #3September 19, 2018, 09:41:02 am

soma56

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2018, 09:41:02 am »
Try putting the timing back and then forward from where you have it now. 

I didn't see where you tried changing the timing; just that it was correct as per label on the car fender or Bentley.

Good point. To be even lazier then I am right now - I'm wondering if I can plug in the dial gauge (after setting everything to TDC) and simply shifting the IP back a few degrees from a dialed-in zero position as opposed to going through the whole timing process. I suspect the advanced timing lever on the IP is something else I should have tried running on for a bit to see if there's an improvement as well. Thanks for the perspective - I'll give it a shot this weekend.

Make sure you have a clear line on the supply and return from the pump. 

Supply has clear lines. The return doesn't. However, as a desperate measure at one point, I disconnected it to ensure there was flow from the IP and there was. I'll look into getting one this weekend.

When you start it, are there any bubbles in the line?  Air in the fuel will cause it to smoke white.

None from the fuel filter all the way to the injectors. I installed a check valve just after the tank as well. It seems the lines between the injectors have some small bubbles that appear when running. On one occasion, with the max fuel turned way down (low) the lines between the injectors went 'dry' or emptied of diesel after a short run. I wouldn't say the fuel system completely 100% primed but closer to 85%. I primed it the best I could with the tools I have - enough to get it to fire up in 3 seconds. There are no obvious signs of external diesel leaks anywhere within the system and all hoses are tight let alone brand new.

Does it smoke constantly?  Just when cold?  Just at low rpms?  Just at high rpms?

Yes, good point. Smokes constantly even when hot and in idle. A burst in rpm's will see a burst in smoke in which black smoke is visible. If I drive slow and shift gears at a lower rpm it's not so bad but bad enough to cause the neighbors to raise their eyebrows.

Have you made sure the cold start lever was pushed in when you timed it?

Yes, learned that a while back the hard way. Good call for thinking of that though.

It is NOT "too much or too little fuel".  "Too much" fuel makes the engine accelerate.  "Too little" makes it slow down.  Neither one makes it smoke abnormally.  All the accelerator pedal does is add more or less fuel.

10-4 on that. I've reset the max fuel screw to the default position.

Reply #4September 19, 2018, 10:12:23 am

ORCoaster

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2018, 10:12:23 am »
You can do just that.  Be sure that cold start lever is all the way forward towards the pump face.  You don't want that engaged doing the timing.  You can't really run on it as it only does its job at idle and the first few hundred RPMs after that.  Once the pump builds up some internal pressure that mechanical part loses its function.


Some might say to just loosen the pump and bump it towards the engine for a bit of advance or pull it towards the radiator for some retarding.  If your engine stops smoking one way or the other then measure what that number is with the gauge.  Write it down and drive on it for a while, see how it rolls at that point. 

Reply #5September 19, 2018, 11:20:38 am

soma56

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2018, 11:20:38 am »
Bentley calls for 1.00 +/- 0.02 mm timing. I think I'll try 'retarding' it (away from head) by .2mm intervals to see if that makes a difference and if not we'll try advancing it the same way. I'll also get a clear tube for the return line. Will post results this weekend.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 05:07:41 pm by soma56 »

Reply #6September 19, 2018, 12:58:56 pm

Dakotakid

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2018, 12:58:56 pm »
Mess with timing and clear and psychedelic fuel lines all you want (good trip, duuude), but if your injectors are garden hosing.....you are swimming in diarrhea toilet water until that part of the equation is remedied.

These injector nozzles are only supposed to have like a 60,000 mile life-span. Sure, many of them are run much longer. There are many still running at 300,000 miles.....well....sort-of running.
The mask and the shot(s) are actually an IQ test. If you are wearing or circulating, you just failed the test. I can't feel sorry for you.

Reply #7September 19, 2018, 04:46:12 pm

soma56

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2018, 04:46:12 pm »
Well, looks like I got a good deal on 4 re-manufactured injectors so I think it makes sense to get them anyways considering how much I've put into this engine and how old these injectors are. They're 068130201BV. Not sure what the 'BV' stands for but the seller says they will work for my 1.6 TD just fine. Then again, perhaps he's just motivated to sell....

Re-manufactured by VW of America.


Reply #8September 19, 2018, 07:09:19 pm

libbydiesel

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2018, 07:09:19 pm »
You'll want to find out if they are 130bar or 155bar and adjust the timing accordingly. 

Reply #9September 19, 2018, 08:18:39 pm

soma56

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2018, 08:18:39 pm »
I know. Damn. I think they're 130 because of the 130 in 068130201BV as per the number on the injector photo above. Owner doesn't know for certain in spite of suggesting they would work on a 1.6 TD without issues earlier. His dad previously owned a shop and he's selling off all the bits and pieces. I have a chance to get them tomorrow for a very reasonable price.

Doing a lot of research on this with many having mixed feelings and reviews about using a 130 Bar injector on a TD.

Pondering if I should roll the dice and pick them up (but then what about performance and other factors?). The look brand new and were re-manufactured directly by VW. Maybe I'm over thinking it. Tough call...
« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 09:16:52 pm by soma56 »

Reply #10September 19, 2018, 10:30:03 pm

ORCoaster

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2018, 10:30:03 pm »
Do as Libby says, adjust the timing to compensate for the lower break pressure.  Your IP will produce the need pressure for either but the turbo likes the later injection at the higher 155 bar pressure.  You can just move your pump to retard the injection to a later point in the cycle to mimic that point and I think you will be fine.

I put 155 bar injectors on my Caddy expecting to add the turbo in a few weekends but it has been months now and I still haven't gotten to that point.  When I took off the 130 bars I bumped the timing to get it to smooth out a bit.  If I ever get the turbo on I will need to adjust accordingly.

I would snatch up the better parts and tweak the timing rather than run on injectors that were pissing away at the tops of the piss-tons. 

Reply #11September 19, 2018, 11:09:18 pm

soma56

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2018, 11:09:18 pm »
10-4. Thanks. The infamous Mr. Vince Waldon's write-up on timing (which I suspect is directly from the Bentley manual) calls for the following:

Engine ME (1.6l non-turbo)               0.90 +/- 0.02 mm

Engine MF (1.6l turbo)                      1.00 +/- 0.02 mm

And performance tune-ups for non-turbo pumps (according to enthusiasts as per Mr. Waldon) set at:  0.95mm to 1.00 mm  (0.037" - 0.039").

With that said if I'm putting 130 Bar injectors into a 1.6 TD motor with excellent compression with a rebuilt turbo (that literally sings) what should I set the timing to? I think I'll try .95, let her heat up to operating temperature and see how much crap is coming out of the exhaust (hopefully nothing) - and adjust the IP .1mm from there to back (and/or perhaps forward) until I find that sweet spot. Seems like the next best steps in addition to a clear return line as libbydiesel suggested and fresh heat injector  shields.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2018, 11:46:12 pm by soma56 »

Reply #12September 19, 2018, 11:47:36 pm

libbydiesel

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Re: White Exhaust Smoke - Bad Fuel Injectors?
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2018, 11:47:36 pm »
130 bar injectors in a TD will actually get better fuel economy assuming the timing is set to the correct 130 bar spec.  This has been tested an confirmed by multiple people, myself included.  They will, however, result in a bit more emissions (haze).

FWIW, the difference in timing spec results in start of injection at the same crank degree.  That timing of the injection event is the same, it just takes a bit more plunger lift to fire off the 155 bar injectors so the pump timing is set a bit more advanced to compensate. 


 

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