White Exhaust Smoke - ?

[MNDB]

Hi, I am hoping you could help me with a problem.  I have a 2010 Rav4 T180 diesel. I have recently had a new exhaust fitted (DPF to rear) and a service done with oil/filters etc changed. Since then I have noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. It mainly happens when the car is warmed up and if I run the revs either too high or too low (under 1500 or over 2000 eg if I'm in too low or too high a gear). The amount coming out seems to be increasing, but I have noticed that if I rev the engine it clears it (before it starts smoking again). The smoke seems to be linked to when I accelerate. I have no loss of power and no warning light. The fuel consumption is poor (I thought this was due to the hole in the exhaust but now maybe not..). The temperature is normal.I called the AA - the mechanic said the oil and water levels are ok with no sign of water in oil or oil in water. He did a CO test and there was none in the coolant, so he is of the opinion the gasket/seals are ok. He also said the smoke smells of unburnt fuel. He had a quick look at the injectors and he could not hear or feel any tapping or misfiring. He said it needed to go to a garage for diagnostics.I took the car to my local garage and explained all of the above. They are scratching their heads as to what diagnostics they can do to identify the problem. Can anyone suggest what the problem may be? Apart from the !Removed! smoke the car is running fine. I'm on the verge of having to take it in to the local Toyota dealer to be diagnosed and to have my bank account pillaged, so if anyone can help it would be massively appreciated.One other thing I have just thought of - the last two re-fuels have been with supermarket (Tesco) diesel. I normally buy BP or Shell. I also used Wynn EGR cleaner and diesel fuel additive at the service to try and clean the systems out (I have used them before with no smoke). Many thanks

[korat102]

White smoke is generally either water getting into the combustion chambers (blown head gasket) or unburned atomised diesel fuel passing through the system.

If your techie has ruled out a blown gasket, the white smoke could be due to poor combustion due to injection timing, faulty injector(s) or maybe low compression in a cylinder resulting in the fuel passing right through. Based on your poor fuel consumption, I'd be suspecting a faulty injector.

As an afterthought: Another thing that could squirt unburned fuel through the system is the car trying to run a DPF regen. If the problem started up when the DPF was changed, maybe they messed something up. It shouldn't be constantly regenerating the DPF - unless it only ever gets to do 200 yard school runs and half mile shopping trips. Modern diesels really need good long runs to clear out the soot and other rubbish that the emissions controls systems get clogged up with.

If a good long run doesn't clear it, I'd get it to a good Toyota dealer (or a diesel specialist) to check.

Edited July 10, 2014 by korat102

[gjnorthall]

A hole in the exhaust on a 2010 Rav!

Since it sounds as if the smoke problem appeared suddenly - I'm assuming that the correct oil etc was used when the car was recently serviced? From your description, it does appear that the system is attempting but failing to carry out a DPF regeneration. There was also a TSB on white smoke issue on this engine which required a software change - though I'm not sure if it extended to 2010. My inclination would be to get your Toyota dealer to take a look.

[MNDB]

Thanks for the replies. I do a lot of motorway miles - last night I drove from Yorks to London (I do this once a week for work). It threw out loads of smoke driving through the suburbs/towns, but I gave it a hard rev and it cleared. It was fine on the motorway - no running issues and no smoke. It seems that as long as I stay at around 2300+ revs it doesn't smoke.

I will get it to the dealer for diagnostics. Your advice is much appreciated.

[Mistermena]

Stop filling up with Super market derv and get some V-Power derv in there wuth a tin of BG244! As said... get the car back to the main dealer. When was the fuel filter/Air changed? Have you tried to clean the MAF with sone CRC spray or electrical contact cleaner? Look at the simple things 1st! Then go for the other stuff!

[Devon Aygo]

Who replaced the DPNR as when a new one is fitted the "learnt values" have to be reset in the engine ECU otherwise the car will treat the new filter as the old one, adding too much fuel to clear and already clear filter as it still thinks the filter is old, resetting is a Toyota job so if carried out by a non franchise garage the learnt value will need to cleared and soon as the excessive fuel during regen will kill/melt a new filter.

There is also a bulletin from Toyota for excessive white smoke on later engines, I am not sure if it applies to your car as your age range of 2010 seems too late for a 180 engine discontinued in 2009?

There are 2 variations of AD engines called:

05AD from 2005 to late 2009

and

08AD from late 2009 on

UK 180 engines are all 05AD series as they where dropped from the line up along with the introduction of the 08AD engines, the bulletin about excessive white smoke only applies to 08AD engines and was fixed from late 2011.

PM your chassis and I can check what engine series you have.

[gjnorthall]

I read this as the exhaust being replaced from (but not including) the DPNR back.

[MNDB]

Hi guys,

thank you again for all your replies - they are very much appreciated. My car is actually a 2007 model. I have no idea why I wrote 2010 (wishful thinking!). I don't think the DPF was changed when I had the new exhaust fitted -- the receipt says 'DPF to rear', but I will double check this with the exhaust fitter when they re-open on Monday. The AA guy did say the smoke smelt of unburnt diesel and it was as if it was trying to regenerate.

Taff - the fuel and air filters were changed about a week after the exhaust was fitted. At that time I used some Wynn's EGR cleaner and added some Wynn's DPF cleaner to the fuel. I will try the BG244 and get the MAF cleaned too.

Lee - is the DPNR the same as the DPF?? My mechanical knowledge is not extensive (or even average..!).

I've booked the beast in to a garage for diagnostics on Tuesday, but in the meantime I'll try your suggestions re cleaning all the systems etc. BTW, has anyone heard of adding 2 stroke oil to diesel??...

[Mistermena]

Are you sure its not the start of a HG fail? You are aware of the problems with tbe the 2AD engine and the extended warranty that covers 7 years or 112k? I use to use 2T low ash mineral oil in my T180. Been talked about a lot on here! As well as lots of other forums! :)

[korat102]

I'd be very cautious adding two stroke oil to a diesel equipped with a DPF, you'll need to use low ash oil otherwise you'll be making things even worse. If you must use an additive, you'd probably be better off with something like Diesel Rhino for regular use or BG244 for cleaning the system every 10k miles or so.

[Mistermena]

You can use a low ash 2T in a T-180 2.2. I did without any problems. The T180 needs a 0w-30 C2 spec oil(Low ash) or a 5-30 like Mobil 1 ESP. 2T oil burns cleaner than derv. But it's up to the person if they wanna use it! I always ran mine on Shell V-Power GTL semi synthetic fuel! And used Archoil 6200 when I wanted. I use 2T oil in our Grand Voyager 2.8L XS VM Motori marine diesel! And found that it makes a big difference to the engine idle. It makes absolutely no difference to the mpg I get! But it helps lube the fuel pump with the low sulpher fuels we have... oh a can of worms has been opened

[Awebb180]

5th injector could be going faulty and dumping excess fuel into the system? Hopefully the dealer finds the issue

Alex

[MNDB]

So I drove the beast to the garage on Tuesday ... hardly any smoke coming from the exhaust no matter what gear/speed I was in. Mechanic checked everything, MOT passed with no emission issues. The problem was ............. too much oil put in during the service!

You can imagine my relief ....... until he mentioned that the clutch/mass flywheel seems to be on it's way out....FFS!

[Raistlin]

One step forward two steps back, Oh the joys of car ownership... ;)

[gjnorthall]

You don't say how many miles the car has covered but you mention high motorway miles which is kinder to clutches and DMFs. The DMF on post 2006 cars aren't usually a cause for concern so I'd be inclined to wait until the potential problem becomes more significant before doing anything.

I suspect that your engine was significantly overfilled with oil to give the symptoms described. Very worrying that a garage is unable to do such a simple task.

[Mistermena]

So I drove the beast to the garage on Tuesday ... hardly any smoke coming from the exhaust no matter what gear/speed I was in. Mechanic checked everything, MOT passed with no emission issues. The problem was ............. too much oil put in during the service!

You can imagine my relief ....... until he mentioned that the clutch/mass flywheel seems to be on it's way out....FFS!

I have a genuine Toyota DMF and clutch kit for sale! And its for the Rav T180 on eBay...

[Mistermena]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161355150685?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161355150685?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649quote name="MNDB" post="1347055" timeshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161355150685?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649amp="1405602233"]So I drove the beast to the garage on Tuesday ... hardly any smoke coming from the exhaust no matter what gear/speed I was in. Mechanic checked everything, MOT passed with no emission issues. The problem was ............. too much oil put in during the service!

You can imagine my relief ....... until he mentioned that the clutch/mass flywheel seems to be on it's way out....FFS!

Here is a link to my eBay selling page.