2L-T started smoking - unusual behaviour

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:16 am

Ok, so the surf was due an oil change, so I went and did it (3rd time since I've owned it, always with Valvoline diesel extra). Once it got warm, it started somking at idle and a HUGE cloud as soon as you touch the throttle when taking off from lights etc. It would stop as soon as hit 2nd gear, and then wouldn't smoke at all until it would idle again. It got worse and worse for 2 weeks, so I ran an engine flush thru it in case the oil drain galleries from the head were a bit blocked and the new, thicker oil wasn't draining quick enough. Changed the oil again, and used Castrol Magnatec 10w-30 (as per Toyota's recommendations, and i get it free at work)
It still does it, not quite as bad, but still terrible. Before the oil change, it never blew smoke at all. And it'll only do it now once the oil is warm. No smoke when cold, on boost, on over-run, only after it has been idling. I have an oil catch can fitted, an I/C and standard exhaust. The IC has no oil in it, and the turbo is dry on the intake side (will check exhaust side soon) The strange thing is that now with the magnatec the truck runs sooo much better - noticeably quieter, less rattly, smoother and more power. It's not using water (was thinking cracked head possibly), the oil is slightly under full and none of the techs at work have any ideas. The problem is I'm due for a warrant soon and there is no way in hell it will pass the smoke test.
Please help!!

truck-fixer · Post by **truck-fixer** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:18 pm

White or black smoke?

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:57 pm

Could valve guide seals.

Or it could be what my happened to my Terrano. It was running good when i got it, and after a month or so, when hot, if you left it idling at lights or in a car park,when you took off it erupted like Ruapehu!!!!!

Took into a turbo diesel place thinking it might be turbo seals or valve guides or worse. Turned out it was the EGR, it had been over the years filling the intake manifold with gunk, and with some decent hot running, after sitting at idle, the gunk was starting to melt and runing into the engine, causing billows of smoke for a few seconds when setting off.

I got the manifold cleaned and the EGR dissconnected, and it was sweet after that.

truck-fixer · Post by **truck-fixer** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:16 pm

I don't think the 2L-T has EGR does it?? :scratch: Just don't jump to conclusions too quickly dude. I've seen engines stripped down to nuts and bolts and put back together and still smoke and all it was was a broken wire. Cover your basics first. Is it useing more fuel?? Is it using more oil?? Is the air filter clean?? Has your fuel filter been cleaned?? When were your injectors last serviced??

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:23 pm

What he said, go over the simple shit first!!!!!!

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:40 am

truck-fixer wrote:I don't think the 2L-T has EGR does it?? :scratch: Just don't jump to conclusions too quickly dude. I've seen engines stripped down to nuts and bolts and put back together and still smoke and all it was was a broken wire. Cover your basics first. Is it useing more fuel?? Is it using more oil?? Is the air filter clean?? Has your fuel filter been cleaned?? When were your injectors last serviced??

No EGR. Using a bit of oil, but to be expected, the smoke cloud is initially white with a blue haze for about 5 secs. Fuel filter was replaced 8000kms ago. I haven't done anything to the injectors, but was going to get them cleaned and the pump tuned once I've got my 2.5" exhaust on.
Haven't checked the air filter in a couple of months, should give it a clean I suppose (K&N replacement)

I was wondering whether it is because it is only used to run round town in lately, not getting hot enough to burn any crap buildup? I'm taking it to Blen this weekend, so that will prove/disprove that theory quickly

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:44 pm

white smoke indicates water, could be a head gasket check your water and if doing a long trip keep an eye on temps check water when you arrive again too.

Take 5 or more litres of water with you on the trip just in case. Also you can get a decompression test to see what is happening.

Good Luck

truck-fixer · Post by **truck-fixer** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:05 pm

I was wondering whether it is because it is only used to run round town in lately, not getting hot enough to burn any crap buildup? I'm taking it to Blen this weekend, so that will prove/disprove that theory quickly

Yeah this can happen. I have actually had people come and say that their turbo diesel engine is smoking and lacking in power and has gotten worse over time. This was because they don't drive it hard enough and just pussy it around town. To fix this all i did was go down to my local landscape supplier, pick out a good looking shingle, filled a trailer with it, hooked up the truck and took it for a half hour drive and opened it up, dropped the shingle off and what do ya know, it's a new truck again.

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 2:52 pm

Well, took the truck to Blenheim, and found I had a blocked breather pipe to the catch can. Cleaned it out, and no more smoke!. However, i've noticed it's blowing bubbles in the rad, altho not using water, so think the head or gasket is gone anyway. :cry:

truck-fixer · Post by **truck-fixer** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:41 pm

If it's not one thing it's another.