Smokey Deisel

[Baileysdad]

About four weeks ago, the message 'Check engine system/ Check 4wd system appeared on the dash display and the engine was ticking over quite roughly. It still drove very well, caught pigeons easily and still returned an acceptable mpg. I replaced the fuel filter, added a reputable diesel additive to the tank, filled up and drove around for a few miles. The warning messages remained, and her indoors said to get it checked.

I toddled off to RRG (local Toyota dealer) who removed £50+ from me for a diagnostic checkover.

An hour later they told me the warning messages were no longer on and the diagnostic check had mentioned 'injector', but to take the car away and try it ; if the lights came on again they would re-diagnose it for free !

Two hundred miles later, the warnings have not come back ! but I have noticed grey smoke from the rear more often than I used to do (when booting it instead of just cruising about) The tickover is back to normal, and it's still driving very well, but I'm a bit concerned about the smoke !.

Has anyone else come across this problem ? and if so, how did you cure it ?

I'm not a mechanic, but I must admit I was shocked when the 'diagnostic' mentioned injector, as I've been led to believe that injectors are much more reliable than they used to be.

I await your replies with anticipation (or is it trepidation ?)

Baileysdad (Colin)

[Big Kev]

Colin........have a wee look at your expansion tank and what should be the pink watter therein. Have you lost any.....? Is there any evidence of said pink watter having been spat out the wee pressure relief nozzle on top?

White or Greyish smoke from a diesel sometimes indicative of water in mixture.......good job on the fuel filter first action.

When you filled up, was it reputable fuel.....? Supermarket fuel......?

[Mistermena]

EGR clean and bg244 in the tank! Change the air filter and clean the MAF...

HG problem like Kev is saying?🚜💨

[igormus]

About four weeks ago, the message 'Check engine system/ Check 4wd system appeared on the dash display and the engine was ticking over quite roughly. It still drove very well, caught pigeons easily and still returned an acceptable mpg. I replaced the fuel filter, added a reputable diesel additive to the tank, filled up and drove around for a few miles. The warning messages remained, and her indoors said to get it checked.

I toddled off to RRG (local Toyota dealer) who removed £50+ from me for a diagnostic checkover.

An hour later they told me the warning messages were no longer on and the diagnostic check had mentioned 'injector', but to take the car away and try it ; if the lights came on again they would re-diagnose it for free !

Two hundred miles later, the warnings have not come back ! but I have noticed grey smoke from the rear more often than I used to do (when booting it instead of just cruising about) The tickover is back to normal, and it's still driving very well, but I'm a bit concerned about the smoke !.

Has anyone else come across this problem ? and if so, how did you cure it ?

I'm not a mechanic, but I must admit I was shocked when the 'diagnostic' mentioned injector, as I've been led to believe that injectors are much more reliable than they used to be.

I await your replies with anticipation (or is it trepidation ?)

Baileysdad (Colin)

Hello Matey

Please consider the below listed reasons with the same -- grey smoke from the rear tail pipe:

- clogged engine air filter;

- clogged fuel filter;

- poor injection of one/two ... injectors mounted;

- issue with SCV;

- issue with turbo;

- poor diesel quality;

- MAF sensor is dirty and gives a wrong signal to ECU;

- overloading of engine

please check and revert

regards/Igor

[Baileysdad]

Thanks chaps, am in the process of digesting your replies.

Will report any findings later.

I was advised of supermarket fuel some time ago and have only been using proper stuff since.

Filled tank and went on a 50 mile run this afternoon on the M6.

Gave it some stick on the way there and was concerned at the smoke for about 5 miles, however all the way back I never saw anything !.

But will still check out your suggestions, as I'm not convinced it's cured so easily.

Thanks again.

Colin

[Baileysdad]

Latest update :-

Kev, looked at expansion tank and all is well in that department, and already using decent fuel.

Checked the air filter, that's fine; removed and cleaned MAF (now I know what it is !)

Going to find out what SCV is (told you I wasn't a mechanic) and will look at that next.

Thanks everyone.

Colin

[anchorman]

Colin, don't mess with SCV on that vehicle. It isn't like the older model and not really serviceable - or at least, not known for giving problems.

[Baileysdad]

Thanks for that Don, having seen the price of SCV's, I'm pleased with your advise.

Funnily enough, it's running well at the moment with no or very little smoke.......................fingers crossed eh !

Colin

[anchorman]

Good soldier never looks behind!

[Mistermena]

Thought it was... Good soldier never take it from behind! ;) lol

[Awebb180]

grey/white smoke can be unburnt diesel - if they have mentioned injector already they should do a test from stone cold to get the accurate reading,

Alex

[the fox]

Clean the EGR then blank the thing OFF, you won't see any more smoke or lights on dash,

[Baileysdad]

Well, it's getting worse I'm afraid. Smoking like the Torrey Canyon when I accelerate, often difficult to start, sounds like an old style deisel sometimes and mpg is definately dropping. But what the hell ! It's Christmas, so it'll just have to wait 'till the new year.

You never know what's in your stocking though do you ?.

A very merry Christmas to everyone who's tried to help...............and everybody else as well.......................

Colin.

[kencat]

Toyota can check the injectors using there computer thing ! Think it test the compensation codes

[Baileysdad]

Thanks kencat, during my 'diagnostic' check with my local Toyota dealer, the phrase 'injectors' was mentioned but I was told the indicator 'Check Engine' had been removed and should it reappear they would look at the injectors more closely.

Fortunately, the indicator has never appeared again but the smoke problem just seems to be getting worse.

I was advised that for £350 an injector could be replaced, which tends to make me think my friendly Toyota dealer knew more than they were disclosing, however, I'll bear in mind your suggestion and see how things go in the new year.

Merry Christmas

Colin

[kencat]

Anchorman posted sum thing about the compensation codes 4 the injectors and checking them a long time back !

[Davrav]

Thanks kencat, during my 'diagnostic' check with my local Toyota dealer, the phrase 'injectors' was mentioned but I was told the indicator 'Check Engine' had been removed and should it reappear they would look at the injectors more closely.

Fortunately, the indicator has never appeared again but the smoke problem just seems to be getting worse.

I was advised that for £350 an injector could be replaced, which tends to make me think my friendly Toyota dealer knew more than they were disclosing, however, I'll bear in mind your suggestion and see how things go in the new year.

Merry Christmas

Colin

I do believe that injectors can be checked, cleaned and re-calibrated Colin.

I'm pretty sure that Toyota have a facility for doing this but it involves sending them away.

[gjnorthall]

A local diesel specialist (often dealing in commercial and passenger vehicles) can test and calibrate injectors including replacing pintle caps and seals.

[the fox]

Have you cleaned the EGR valve yet??? the all the problems you have all point to the EGR valve very quick and simple thing to do,

If you rely on RRG you will be skint, the EGR is the most simple thing to do yourself, all the warning lights all indicate a blocked/stuck EGR try it nothing to loose