Smoking diesel engine in morning and evening...why?

[leothetiler]

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that whenever I start my Berlingo diesel in the morning or evening it smokes and smells really bad of burning.

As soon as I start driving the smoke and smell goes. Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing it? Someone suggested today it may be valve guides.

I know it is difficult to diagnose, but is this something that needs to be dealt with quickly, or just something to live with on a van that has done 60k?

[JulesV]

Have you ever bothered to put any oil in it?

[HellDiver]

Citroen? Warranty has run out, it's specifically designed to die right about now. 60k design life, sorry.

[DannyVTS]

Dont most tractors do this?

[Munter]

What colour is the smoke?

Blue
White
Black
?

Blue being oil
White being diesel burning off in the exhaust (duff glow plug?)
Black being excessively sooty...

[leothetiler]

Munter said:

What colour is the smoke?

Blue
White
Black
?

Blue being oil
White being diesel burning off in the exhaust (duff glow plug?)
Black being excessively sooty...

I would say blue.

[Engineer1]

Or in a none anti-tractor engined vehicle suggestion have you noticed this recently while it is colder? if you had it could just be condensation

[FreeLitres]

As already mentioned:

"Diesel? They all do that, Sir"

[leothetiler]

Engineer1 said:

Or in a none anti-tractor engined vehicle suggestion have you noticed this recently while it is colder? if you had it could just be condensation

I have only noticed it recently in the cold weather, so it may just be that, however I never remember it in the past. May just be me being paranoid. As soon as I change to 2nd gear all the smoke has gone.

[lescombes]

mine is nice a grey on a very cold start.....with the lovely smell of chips....lol

[shalmaneser]

Probably worn valve stem seals if you only get it on startup. Most likely they're already a bit loose and the cold weather hardens them up...by the time the engine gets a tiny bit of heat into it they go soft and are able to seal a bit better. You could get these changed but it's really not worth the aggro/£££.

Also, you're engine will be running very rich when started in this cold weather so will be chucking out more black smoke than usual.

Basically nothing to worry about.