Smoke on starting

[Chopper]

I went to see a 98 S reg SWB today (looking to buy).

There was some smoke on starting the engine but none when driving. The guy selling said this was because the last owner fitted a towbar and hacked off the end of the exhaust. The exhaust fumes then got stopped by the towbar holder thing and sent back into the exhaust. he's repaired the exhaust now (I checked underneath and there was clearly some work done where he said) but there's still some smoke when it starts up, but the amount is reducing all the time.

It wasn't loads of smoke, but I'm a bit concerned - does his story make sense and how concerned should I be?

[MrMPuk]

What colour smoke?

[Chopper]

Not black, a sort of light grey.

[MrMPuk]

If it is only a small amount of smoke then I really wouldn't worry.

Grey smoke indiactes the presence of unburnt diesel and could be something as simple as a weepy injector.

[Chopper]

If it is only a small amount of smoke then I really wouldn't worry.

Grey smoke indiactes the presence of unburnt diesel and could be something as simple as a weepy injector.

he was saying it was caused by the exhaust fumes being blocked and being sent back into the exhaust itself. It's been solved now but there remains some stuff coming out when it starts up.

If that story doesn't make sense, I'm worried about the bloke's integrity and therefore whether I should pay him 2G for a van!

[motorwise]

I wouldn't worry too much about a little puff on start up as long as it's clear after that - what he says about the exhaust just says to me he has no technical knowledge - doesn't mean the vans no good - judge it on it's own merits

[MrMPuk]

That story does sound like a load of rollicks.

[motorwise]

That story does sound like a load of rollicks.

sort of rubbish people come out with when they can't explain a little puff of smoke on start up

[rover]

If you dont trust the guy dont buy it! every time something goes wrong you will be cursing him, there are plenty of vans out there..

Rover.

[tractive-effort]

Mine gives a little whisp of white/grey oil smoke on start up (though not all the time ), and I wondered about the valve stem oil seals?? Are these common to retraction/warping on the Di and need regular replacement (say like a Pinto does)??

[motorwise]

Mine gives a little whisp of white/grey oil smoke on start up (though not all the time ), and I wondered about the valve stem oil seals?? Are these common to retraction/warping on the Di and need regular replacement (say like a Pinto does)??

DI's are oil burners with no pre heating - it's perfectly normal and I wouldn't worry about it at all

[tractive-effort]

That's good to know - will be switching from synthetic to normal mollases type oil from now on! A litre or more every 500-1000 miles to me suggests a problem in most engines, but everyone else says the Di is a different kettle-of-fish.