The tread on the smoking A4 TDi got me thinking.
Our Trajet is the diesel automatic. When starting from cold, espcially in cold weather, the car pumps out a lots of white smoke, which eventually disappears as the car warms up. Is this simply condensation? It is also quite sluggish for the first 1/2 mile or so.
Also, even when the car has returned from a good long fast run, the smell of the car exhaust is quite oily. And I would say that the economy of the car on a good long run, is not marvellous at about 32mpg at best.
Do people think that the injection timing is out slighty, are all these symptoms simply characteristic of the engine/transmission combination?
Thanks
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Bump!
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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It's probably condensation - the weather we've been having lately has been producing more steam from our diesels on cold starts. However, it's worth checking that it isn't using any water. It maybe should have some sort of cold start fast idle device, maybe this is not working as it should - although this shouldn't affect the running - it might just make it a bit more difficult to start. Difficult to say whether the 32MPG is OK or not - it seems bad, but then it's a big bus, with an auto box, and I'm not sure how advanced the engine is.
If all else fails, you could take it along to your local diesel specialist and ask them to check the timing (properly with a dial gauge, not just the pins in the timing belt!) - it shouldn't cost too much.
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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It's just a bit of condensation isn't it, together with a bit of unburnt diesel. It's cold, so you can't expect a complete combustion.
The engines are made by VM, now a Daimler Chrysler company. It's fair to say that in cars, they've had a bit of a chequered past with HG issues, but they were all the older style with seperate cylinder heads. They've been used in Ford Scorpios, Rover 825, Range Rovers, and now certain jeeps and Chryslers. As well a numerous marine and industrial applications. I look after a company that makes those little road sweepers, and they use them as well.
They're not the highest tech engines, hence the not-to-great mileage, but if you take off the 10/15% loss due to auto tranny, then that takes it up to a reasonable 37mpg.
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What size engine are they?
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1991cc
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
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I am not familiar with your Trajet, but my diesel Fiat also gives off white smoke when cold. I believe this is water vapour. Having driven other diesels in the past I cannot understand why it is sluggish for the first half mile, but then I never rev a cold engine.
You might find this site about diesel smoke interesting.
www.uniteddiesel.co.uk/diesel-engine-smoke.php
Hope this is some help Espada III.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Isn't there an on going owners complaint, about the poor fuel consumption, with these cars?
Our local radio had a caller, on the consumer prog, hilighting Hyundais negative responses, regarding the published figures & real life consumption.
If you're OK with the mpg & the smoke clears, after warm up, guess the water vapour is the answer.
But worth doing some more investigation - just in case!
VB
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