Diesel engine smoking

[mche1997]

Hi Everyone
I'm really puzzled with my Mercedes Vito van blowing grey smoke and sometimes black smoke and occasionally at the same time.
I had a seized turbo actuator on January and had the turbo and the 2 turbo boost sensor replaced. Garage had to add oil to engine when replaced turbo. After changing the turbo there were still heavy grey smoke and occasionally black smoke. Changed the intercooler 2 months ago, last month had new oil and filter change, added stop smoke and seal conditioner and made no difference.
Last week got the mechanic to change new glowplugs and a turbo wastegate solenoid. Van is still smoking but not as much as last month.
Been checking the oil level since oil change but no loss of oil. When driving, there is hardly any smoke, only when idling and driving away there's grey smoke.
Been blasting the van every few days and booting on the motorway.

 

[Burnerman]

You’ve sorted the obvious things so I’d look at the injector performance and maybe the high pressure fuel pump condition.
Is the mileage very high on the van, and are there any lamps lit on the dash?
John

 

[mche1997]

Hi John
Thanks for your reply and suggestions. Mileage is quite high, 219k but injectors were replaced at 170k. I do oil and filter change every six months, always use premium diesel but I'll definitely have my mechanic check the high pressure pump.
No check engine lights. Also forgot to mention I also had the crankcase breather valve replaced last month.
Just seen a few YouTube videos last night people adding a breather filter and oil catch can to the ccv or pcv due to smoky engine.

 

[Burnerman]

For sure, you don't need excess pressurisation in the crankcase - you would often see filthy oil deposits in the air pipes leading to the throttle body here so you could be onto a lead. If you are visiting a diesel specialist, maybe a compression test would be a good move too.
Failing that, maybe an injector spray pattern is the next thing to look at.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Have you tried injector cleaner? You are supposed to add it to the fuel in the fuel tank, but a quicker result can be had by taking the fuel filter off, draining it, filter it with cleaner, then turning the engine over for a few seconds - just long enough to get it into the injectors. Then it needs to be left over night to work.

 

[mche1997]

Have you tried injector cleaner? You are supposed to add it to the fuel in the fuel tank, but a quicker result can be had by taking the fuel filter off, draining it, filter it with cleaner, then turning the engine over for a few seconds - just long enough to get it into the injectors. Then it needs to be left over night to work.

Hi
I regularly add injector and system cleaner to fuel tank before topping fuel.
I also tried the diesel purge as seen many videos with great success but I couldn't get my engine to turn over when I placed the engine feed and return line into the diesel purge but your idea sounds more simpler, will have a go at this. Many thanks

 

[mche1997]

For sure, you don't need excess pressurisation in the crankcase - you would often see filthy oil deposits in the air pipes leading to the throttle body here so you could be onto a lead. If you are visiting a diesel specialist, maybe a compression test would be a good move too.
Failing that, maybe an injector spray pattern is the next thing to look at.
John

Hi John
I'll definitely have to get a compression test. Is it only diesel specialists have the equipment to do a compression test ? Just hope I don't need to replace the injectors again as it only done 60k miles, thanks again

 

[Burnerman]

Diesel compression testers are certainly available, albeit at a price......this is because of all the adapters required for connecting to the various diesel engines.
At least it will give you a general indication as to the health of your engine, which is why I recommend the services of a diesel specialist. He can also check the injector timing, injector spray patterns and more.
John

 

[mche1997]

Diesel compression testers are certainly available, albeit at a price......this is because of all the adapters required for connecting to the various diesel engines.
At least it will give you a general indication as to the health of your engine, which is why I recommend the services of a diesel specialist. He can also check the injector timing, injector spray patterns and more.
John

Great, will look for a diesel specialist for the compression test.

Many thanks

Michael