2010 mk7 Transit smoke in very specific situation

[Copperchod]

Good morning all,

I've got a 2010 mk7 transit 2.2l 84bhp duratec engine FWD. It's done just over 100000 and has a full service history. I've had it now for just over a year and am (slowly) converting it to a family campervan.

Recently I've noticed that if I'm accelerating hard uphill (couple of sections of my commute have this where I join a dual carriageway) I will get dark smoke in clouds out the back. It's very noticeable in my mirrors. Colour wise I'd say it's brown / black.

Performance seems fine. Plugging in a fault code reader shows nothing.

Is this a cause for concern / anything I can look at / check. Probably found to get forscan set up so I can check dpf readings.

[knobby1]

Good morning all,

I've got a 2010 mk7 transit 2.2l 84bhp duratec engine FWD. It's done just over 100000 and has a full service history. I've had it now for just over a year and am (slowly) converting it to a family campervan.

Recently I've noticed that if I'm accelerating hard uphill (couple of sections of my commute have this where I join a dual carriageway) I will get dark smoke in clouds out the back. It's very noticeable in my mirrors. Colour wise I'd say it's brown / black.

Performance seems fine. Plugging in a fault code reader shows nothing.

Is this a cause for concern / anything I can look at / check. Probably found to get forscan set up so I can check dpf readings.

A couple of things to note, dark smoke is usually a turbo boost leak, check all your boost pipes and intercooler for leaks/oil stains. Your 2010 will not have a DPF as it's a Euro-5 thing....thank your lucky stars that you don't have one. EGR valve clogging or failure is a common issue with Mk7's.

Some code readers don't cope with the Transit Protocols very well. Forscan is the "go-to" for Transits.

Lord Knobrot

[tranmx2]

Likely oil /gunge in the air inlet system - turbo outlet to inlet valves.
The rocker box vent (oil vapour) goes into the inlet pipe at the turbo.
If you normally only do short runs less than 30 mins could also be soot in exhaust.
Euro 5 emissions control was introduced 01 09 2009. So you may have a DPF.
DPFs are regenerated. Lots of info' re' that on the internet which can be confusing. You may need to look up EGR and catalytic converter.

[Copperchod]

Thank you for the pointers. I was reading posts here yesterday and saw the forscan mentioned loads. Think I'll have to purchase one.

Reassuring reading the replies so far - doesn't sound like anything terminal. Journeys are either very short (of my wife is using it) or 30 miles mainly on motorway if I'm using it (plus the trips out once it's done up as a camper).

[tranmx2]

Do get Forscan helps a lot with knowing what the eng' electronic bits do.
SY Diagnostics and others have vids on youtube, there is a Forscan forum.
Takes a while to get to know it, there's several senior persons on the forum that use it.
They deal with the auto finger response which comes without any mental application when nearing the pension age.

[metalworker0]

when a vehicle is stood for long periods unused ..you will get in the exhaust system some light corrosion ..and some carbon flaking off ...so when opened up, all this will blow out of the exhaust.

all the best..mark

[Copperchod]

Forscan ordered. Seems very well recommended. Almost as essential as an old school Haynes manual!

[knobby1]

Forscan ordered. Seems very well recommended. Almost as essential as an old school Haynes manual!

You don't "order" Forscan, it's a free downloadable software for windows laptops. All you then need is a "modified" ELM-327...or the Forscan recommended interface.

https://forscan.org/download.html

https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.c ... 45457.aspx

https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlin ... ef=forscan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094Z7PBLS

Lord Knobrot

[andz327]

Hope you meant ordered the Elm327 and you've not paid someone for free Forscan ...... I've never seen a transit euro 5 in a 2009 or a 2010 so I'd go with malord's mention that it won't have a DPF
I'm assuming you've already checked easy stuff like air filter, if not check it especially after a lot usage in heavy rain driving ...
You'll always see exhaust smoke under acceleration at night in the headlight beams behind you so i wouldn't worry about that if you see it

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[Copperchod]

Thanks all. Yes meant the modified um 357

Air filter looks ok but it's due a change so I'll get a new one in there anyway.

The smoke only happens when I'm accelerating up hill normally on a slip road when I'm trying to get up to speed. It happens if I'm pushing the revs because I'm still in third at 50mph (revs around 3000).

[knobby1]

Thanks all. Yes meant the modified um 357

Air filter looks ok but it's due a change so I'll get a new one in there anyway.

The smoke only happens when I'm accelerating up hill normally on a slip road when I'm trying to get up to speed. It happens if I'm pushing the revs because I'm still in third at 50mph (revs around 3000).

Most will smoke a bit under hard acceleration unless it's Euro-5, mine does smaoke a bit when accelerating and it's very noticeable at night in headlights of cars behind.

Lord Knobrot

[Copperchod]

Forscan and elm327 up and running.

When I run a obdii mode 6 test it says malfunction detected in the log but for the life of me I can't find it what that multifunction is.

Secondly I've noticed the engine giving little increases in revs when relatively cold. Using the oscilloscope I can see the fuel rail pressure going between 16250 and 57250 kPa. Normally it seems to remain constant at 22610. Does that sound normal?

Otherwise nothing jumping out at me, but I'll be honest - no idea what I should be looking for. There's no DTC error codes

[knobby1]

Forscan and elm327 up and running.

When I run a obdii mode 6 test it says malfunction detected in the log but for the life of me I can't find it what that multifunction is.

Secondly I've noticed the engine giving little increases in revs when relatively cold. Using the oscilloscope I can see the fuel rail pressure going between 16250 and 57250 kPa. Normally it seems to remain constant at 22610. Does that sound normal?

Otherwise nothing jumping out at me, but I'll be honest - no idea what I should be looking for. There's no DTC error codes

If idle fuel rail pressures and rpm's are "hunting", it's usually the SCV causing it. Nominal idle FRP should be 230bar =/- 10%.

Lord Knobrot

[Copperchod]

Thanks for all the advice. Denso scv and prv ordered and I've got it booked in to be fitted (don't trust myself to do the relearns and local transit specialist not charging much to do it all properly). I'll update after as to whether it's solved the problem.

[Copperchod]

Scv and prv replaced by a garage. Interestingly when the scv was fitted the engine wouldn't start and the mechanic had to replace it with the old one. The prv was replaced with no issues. Tried it again after relearns and still didn't work. So I have a new prv and the old scv. Rough idle does seem to be gone so maybe prv or relearns. Yet to see if it'll affect the smoke issue but mechanic suspects it might be something else.