I've owned my Focus for about 15 months now (not been serviced since June 2011...I know, I know) :o

It pretty much always starts 1st time, even when its sub zero (it usually cranks 3 times & then fires). From a cold start though it runs rough for approx 15-20 seconds (erratic idling) & I get a nice blue/grey smokescreen. Once it starts to warm up it runs fine. It pulls OK & I can still get good MPG when I drive it sensibly. I'm just a little concerned by the smoke, oh & there's no major smoking once we're up to temp & I boot it.

I'm going to start the service items shortly, other than the usual service items such as filters etc any other suggestions. Incidentally what would be considered an acceptable output from the battery with the engine off (dashboard trick). I ask because it looks like it might be the original.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

What colour smoke?

What colour smoke?

Grey/blue, it definately has a slight blue tint to it which is what concerns me . On a slight positive, it clears up after 15-20 seconds & the engine still pulls properly.

Does it do it everytime you start up or just when you start up from cold?

Just the 1st start of the day when it's cold. If it's left a few hours after being driven so it's stone cold again it doesn't do it on the 2nd start up. It only seems to be when its been left for a 12-18 hour period i.e. overnight.

All diesels to some extent put out a puff of white / grey smoke on start up due to the lower speed and thus compression pressure leading to incomplete combustion, the fact that its blue smoke is slightly strange. Could be your fuel/injector pump drawing in oil, glow plugs maybe too weak or maybe even worn stem valves leaking oil in overnight. It may be worth trying to find a diesel fuel injection specialist who will have the specialist test equipment/knowledge to check it.

I'm definately planning planning on doing the glow plugs in the month or 2, plus filters, fluids etc.

Thanks for your suggestions mate, it certainly gives me something to look into.

When was it last serviced?It could just be down to the cold weather at the moment. You tend to get abit of incomplete combustion in such cold conditions.

June 2011, hence my embarrassment (and slight concern, lol). I'm getting my !Removed! in gear though, all the fluids & a genuine Ford service kit are on their way.

Thats most likely the problem lol as i said change the glowplugs aswel :)

Just seen your first sentance there lol

You should see the state of the airfilter (checked it earlier today), I'll take pics of the filters etc when I've changed everything over. :D

Give it a darn good service and also throw some BG244 (eBay) or Wynns High Pressure 3 common rail cleaner through with a tank of fuel to clean the whole fuel system.

You'll get a better injector flow and smoother running.

I also have the same white/blue smoke starting up from cold and i would also assume my glow plugs need changing as i've just serviced all the usual oils and filters except the fuel filter

Welcome to the results of my service :o

I give you 4 original glow plugs that have a lovely coating of carbon & rust. Number 3 from the left was a beeeeeeyatch to get out...& it's replacement back in...(Here's to no more cold start smokescreen). An air filter that looks like it smokes 4 !Removed! a day. I'm pretty certain the fuel filter isn't supposed to be black (Tesco diesel for you). & my poor old Magnetec oil & filter were...well, black. lol like road bitumen :(

Just waiting for my LED's for the boot (x3), footwells & glovebox.

Has that fixed your problem with the smoke?

Well it only ever smoked with the very 1st startup of the day on a COLD start so I haven't been able to find out yet. I'll be trying it tomorrow & I'll report back.

Give it a good run now that you've serviced it to help clear all the crap from the engine.

I threw some Wynn's injector cleaner in the tank so I guess a good trashing is due tomorrow :D

Lol maybe keep on top of the servicing now aswel :P

The new glow plugs will stop the smoke on start up and the rest of the work will make the engine much happier.

Make sure you give it a good tune ;)

Its safe to say it needed that service quite badly

My baby is back...no smoke & 10 mins on motorway (once up to temp) at 4000 rpm. 6 monthly filters & oil from now on. Still got the antifreeze to drop & flush. I couldn't get the drain plug to budge & after having to force the old original glow plugs out I didn't fancy faffing with the bottom rad hose. It's already got Ford long life in it so it's not urgent. Roll on the LED's, lol.

Looks like you've given it a "new lease of life" :)