Hard cold start, white smoke.

[Profister]

Hello All 4D56 Experts,

I wonder if you can advise me on the new issue I have never experienced before.
Two days in a row (Saturday, Sep 13 and Sunday, Sep 14) while camping in Manning Park I had a problem starting the engine in the morning.
Symptoms: on the first crank - a cloud of black smoke. 2nd, 3rd, 4th cranks - white smoke. Finally, on the 5th attempt the engine is running with white smoke coming from the exhaust. Driving slowly after a 5-minute warm up I could see white smoke behind and several minutes later it was gone. Starting the engine during the day and driving did not cause any issues mentioned above. It looks like it happens only when the engine is cold.
I would appreciate any clues.

Sergiy.

[jessef]

I've seen it happen at high elevations when it's cold outside.

[Profister]

High elevation and low temperature was my first thought. Here are the numbers: elevation - 1100 meters, time - 12 PM, temperature +15C (in a shadow). It does not look too cold or too high for me. As far as I know white smoke is caused by burning oil. If this is the case then the next question is 'why'.

[coaxial]

I forget which things cause white smoke. This sounds almost like fuel delivery or fuel issue to me though, maybe you just got a bad batch of diesel? or filter/pump issue?

[snelson]

White smoke in gasoline engines = coolant which usually = headgasket.....hopefully not the same in a diesel.

[twisted]

White smoke in diesel is unburnt fuel, ie. fuel not combusting in cylinder. My van does the same thing. I have a set of glow plugs ordered and I hope this clears it up. Next thing is compression. If its low then lack of combustion untill things heat up.

[Profister]

Thanks everybody for the input. I will start troubleshooting with checking glow plugs tomorrow.

[mdrive]

In my understanding black smoke is unburnt fuel, white smoke is oil burning. in this situation, it happens in the morning, I would say it is valve seals.

[loki]

http://www.answers.com/topic/diesel-smoke

[Green1]

White smoke is a sign of water vapor or fuel that has been atomized but not burned. The water vapor may be present in the fuel or water may be leaking into the cylinder from the cooling system. Air in the fuel can also cause white smoke.

(emphasis added)

any small air leak in to the system can cause both hard starting and white smoke...

[quadzilla]

My $0.02: Elevation is not a factor - I have had my van at higher elevations (and cooler overnight and daytime temperatures) and have not experienced the symptoms you described. FYI: The elevation in Japan ranges from sea level to > 3,700m (although I doubt anyone is sledding these things down Mt. Fuji!)

[Profister]

Well done dear Delica fanatics. Thanks to all of you and Glen from CC Autos who I talked to later today I came to the conclusion that the most likely cause were glow plugs. Of course that was the most desirable scenario for me. Several hours and $48x4 (left in Lordco) later the engine happily performed an easy and a smoke free start. Another replacement done successfully. How many more ahead? Looking at the difference between the new and the old plugs I was shocked Here are some pictures. Sorry, no special recommendations: used a 12 mm socket to unscrew the original plugs easily and put the new ones in. It took less than 30 minutes and a glass of red wine. I think we have to review the 'must do' initial maintenance list but this is a different thread.

Cheers!
Sergiy.