Rough idle, smooth run, power loss

[redmond]

I've read through a number of the threads (thanks everyone for all the discussions - so helpful!) and am still having a hard time figuring out what's wrong with mine.
Early morning (cold-start) started great, drove away very slow (as I do to warm up) and then hit our small hill and under load there was a distinct moment of "something's not right" and I had no power. Drove 10 minutes to catch my bus and left it parked for the day. On return that evening it cranked and cranked over (5-10 seconds) before catching and immediately stalled. I was able to start it and as soon as it caught applied gas (ok, diesel) and could keep it running at a minimum 1k rpm. I used that throttle cable locked off at 1k rpm and drove home (10 min.). It runs smooth and fine - just no power and cannot idle. Also, we have the dreaded smoke now too! More white than black, thick at start up and much less, though more than before, at warm running. Once it's warm I can push the throttle back in but the idle (at a stop) wants to stall, but catches itself over and over - and puts out a little puff of smoke each time. I have a gauge for boost and it's reading just as it always has (with normal boost levels).
I took the EGR off and cleaned it right out (it was free anyway) and found that someone had blocked the vacuum line - so these last 3 years that it's been running great there's been no opening of the EGR anyway. So EGR isn't the problem.
I'm wondering about injectors - and then injector pump after that... would faulty injectors/pump/timing run smooth though when I'm driving around? Also water in fuel - if there is, would it still run smooth driving?
I can't think of where to start here?!
...might soon be a trip to see Butch...

[after oil]

hi
first check to see that the idle adjustment is okay. its the little bolt at the cable from the throttle.
have you changed out your fuel filter?
if there was water inthe fuel, a light on the dash would tell you. but you can drain the filter to be sure. turn the plastic valve on the bottom of the fuel filter to drain it.
does it run fine when warm? could be one or more glow plugs arent working.
otherwise you might be looking at clogged injectors or worse: faulty fuel pump
is it possible some "bad" fuel got in there?
theres a few tips tips get you started

[redmond]

The throttle adjust should be fine - I snapped the cable this summer (that was exciting!) and replaced that and adjusted it with the new cable. The glow plugs I'll test, but they wouldn't explain the lack of power and rough idle warm would they? I'm just pulling the injectors out right now to see what condition they're in. Yeah, the filter I'll replace - it's time - and I'll see how all this goes. Thanks.

[Meanman]

The white smoke is usually an indication of head gasket issues or cracked head. This will also cause lack of power and rough idle. I hope this is not the case. Check your oil once the vehicle has sat awhile and look for a white paste (that is water) on the dipstick. Also check the coolant for oil. If you can get it pressure tested.

[redmond]

Yes, unfortunate but you're probably right - I've been ignoring this thought! The coolant looked good and is not down in level (no oil "seen" in there) and oil didn't show any water (yet) on the stick. I'll keep watching. Pressure test - that would be the cooling system?
The injectors "look" normal - I'll clean/soak them should test them too while they're out.
I'll keep going here and let you know what happens next.
Thanks everyone.

[Meanman]

Yes pressure test cooling system.

[Green1]

Hate to say it, but you are exhibiting classic signs of head/head gasket failure.

A good diesel garage should be able to do a "sniffer" test of your coolant to see if any oil is getting in, or a compression test of the engine (I suspect this will fail miserably)

[SquamptonRyan]

Hi redmond.

Having just got over a cracked head (wishing it was my head as opposed to the vans head after the bill) I can say that if the smoke is less when your van warms up it is not in line with my symptoms. With my van there was only the normal small amount of smoke on start up, but then when the van got up to opperating temps the cloud of smoke was HUGE. Also smell your exhaust, if you are burning coolant it will have a very sweet smell.

Even with the cracked head my van ran fine while in motion. no smoke, slight power loss. I had made the mistake of assuming my van just had to work some bugs out after sitting for 3 months while I was on vacation. not the case. After an hour or so of driving it had burned thru the coolant and cracked the head.

moral of the story, go get it checked out sooner than later, and in the meantime check your coolant levels regularly.

on the up side my van now runs better than it has in the whole 3 years I've owned her!

good luck
Ryan

[redmond]

I did finally give in and took it to a well-recommended mechanic out here (we're stuck out in Chilliwack right now!) and talking to him on the phone he seemed familiar with the Delica. I'm just going to head over there and see where he's at and what he's found. Over the phone he was guessing at timing - but would take a look. Let's hope that's it. Because all the symptoms came suddenly I'm thinking you're all on the right track. There's been no loss of coolant over the last week and after sitting cold for 2 days there was none of the white paste on the dipstick. I didn't check the coolant for exhaust bubbling though. Anyway, off to see what has been "found" and I'll let you know.
Thanks again everyone.

[redmond]

OK; update. CHWK mechanic took a look and said he wouldn't be able to work on it - could not track down info for it (guess he didn't find this site!). Though he didn't charge and was trying to find me someone to take it to.
I took it to CVI today and I feel a bit embarassed... they immediately took the timing belt cover off and the B belt was out of comission. Once they opened it all up and started pulling things off they found that actually it was the tensioner bearing that was gone (just the inner and outer races) for the B belt. Their bet is that the main timing belt jumped a tooth when the B belt went slack. That would make sense and explain all the symptoms.
Thanks Butch and Edwin.