LDV Cub 2.3D (Nissan LD23 Engine) - Diesel Intermittent Smoke and 'Chugging'

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Wed 22 Aug 2012 15:17
LDV Cub 2.3D (Nissan LD23 Engine) - Diesel Intermittent Smoke and 'Chugging' - stuartl

My LDV Cub has an intermittent fault. It was rare to begin with but now more often that not it will start up and 'chug' on idle, almost like a petrol engine would if you took a plug lead off. There is also a smell like unburnt diesel. While it chugs it is VERY smoky (blue) but a good blip on the throttle and it is fine. It doesn't happen all of the time and its not confined to hot or cold starting. Someone suggested glow plugs but wouldn't this only affect cold starting?

Another unconnected problem I have is that a few weeks ago the dipstick tube snapped where in joins the engine so I have had to plug the hole and have no way of checking oil level now. I am leaning towards junking the engine for a secondhand one or is this an over-reaction?

Many Thanks

Stuart

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Wed 22 Aug 2012 20:34
LDV Cub 2.3D (Nissan LD23 Engine) - Diesel Intermittent Smoke and 'Chugging' - Peter.N.

You are correct, the glow plugs won't affect it when hot. It sounds as though you are getting a sudden loss of compression, I would say the most likely cause is a sticking valve. I would find some way of checking the oil level, you only have to run out once and you will be junking the engine.

Peter

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Mon 27 Aug 2012 10:27
LDV Cub 2.3D (Nissan LD23 Engine) - Diesel Intermittent Smoke and 'Chugging' - stuartl

Many thanks for your reply Peter, a sticking valve sounds likely! I have decided to change the engine as I have no way of cheking the oil and guessing the level isnt the way to go obviously!

I have asked for engine changing tips in a seperate thread.

Thanks Again, Stuart

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Fri 2 Nov 2012 12:02
LDV Cub 2.3D (Nissan LD23 Engine) - Diesel Intermittent Smoke and 'Chugging' - stuartl

Since my last post I havent used the van till this week and the problem with the smoking at low revs (not all the time) persists.

Spoke to my local trusted motor engineers who say a sticking valve is very unlikely and could be the egr valve gummed up or an injection problem.

Any ideas on what I should do next??

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