Hi all,

I have an issue with my engine that I’m having trouble diagnosing.

When the car is running idle I get a lot of white smoke from the exhaust and the engine coughs. The smoke smells a bit like oil or diesel being burn off but I know white smoth mean water.

I thought it might be the head gasket but I don’t seem to be losing much water or oil and it only happens when idle

Car is a mondeo estate diesel 1996

Anyone know what the issue could be?

does it happen when the engine is up to temp or just when its cold ? if it does it just when cold it could be a faulty glow plug not bringing a clynder up to temp. if it does it at any temp it could be an injector problem or air entering the system through a split hose causing overfueling

It isn’t as bad when it gets to temperature but it’s still present

Sounds like this

that sounds like an injector or a timing issue.

Thanks, Ill have a look over the weekend.

I stripped the pipes out over the weekend and found one of the fuel return pipes was badly cracked, so I replaced them.

After reassembly of all the pipes I now can’t get the engine to fire.

I am not seeing any fuel coming down the fuel pipes from the pump. I know there is fuel getting to the pump but it doesn’t seem to be forcing the fuel down the lines. Any Ideas?

Hi all,

I have an issue with my engine that I’m having trouble diagnosing.

When the car is running idle I get a lot of white smoke from the exhaust and the engine coughs. The smoke smells a bit like oil or diesel being burn off but I know white smoth mean water.

I thought it might be the head gasket but I don’t seem to be losing much water or oil and it only happens when idle

Car is a mondeo estate diesel 1996

Anyone know what the issue could be?

i know this is an old forum but is a common one on escort and mondeo diesiels the advance solinoid control valve on the pump is knackerd they cannot be repaired,they are screwed into the front of the diesel pump and take 10-15 mins to change....you can buy them from

http://flag-diesel.rivousel.com/FlagDiesel/index.htm

item number Flag rev 82-1664 at £45 very quick to deliver....

you need a 27mm spanner to remove it.....the two wire from it go to a joining plug on the underside of the front panel...symptons rough idle (steady but kicks) plumes of white /grey smoke, exhaust smells of diesel clears roughly at 3700rpm or 70mph in top,turbos a bit laggy....if this sounds like your diesel change it......if you get someone to turn the ignition on you should hear it click a few times