Puffernutter Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 I have a 1989 Defender 90 fitted with a 200TDi. It has been garaged for quite a while, but out of the weather and no obvious deterioration. At the last MoT it needed a new steering box which was acquired but never fitted. It must have been about 3 years since it was last started and with a fresh battery it started very easily, but the smoke, oh the volume of smoke! I let it run for a while but it showed no signs of diminishing. I've started it a few times since and with the same volume of smoke (as this is being started in a council garage in a built up area, there are limits to how long I dare leave it running!) Any thoughts? It was an engine with no issues when it was stored. Cheers Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Air Filter blocked? Turbo stuck? Presumably black smoke? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 White Smoke? Blue Smoke? Black Smoke? All point towards different things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil110 Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Rather than letting it sit there and smoke, take it for a drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Yes, you need to drive it. Cold idling it will ruin the engine. Get some heat in the cylinder and warmed up. It will most likely clear up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffernutter Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 Not black smoke. White/grey. No tax, no MoT, so cannot be drive at the moment. Cheers Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Is there anti freeze in the coolant? It may have frozen and cracked the head. Also did you put some fresh fuel in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil110 Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) Book MoT drive to test centre, maybe giving it an "Italian tune up" on the way. Does the smoke smell sweet? Edited November 14, 2018 by neil110 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 It is unburnt diesel. Stop idling it like that as you are quickly wrecking the bores as you wash them with fuel. You can probably do with a bit of timing advance to help, but you need to wait until you can drive it before continuing to run it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 White/grey I would say is a mix of a little oil and largely unburnt diesel. As others have said, when you are able to take it for a drive and get it nice and warm. Once MOTed and Taxed, put fresh fuel in (I would be tempted to add Millers diesel treatment as you fill up) and change the oil + filters. It would also be wise to dump the coolant and give the radiator, block and heater a flush before filling with fresh antifreeze mix. I imagine that you will then see a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffernutter Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 Thanks for all the help/suggestions. I'm in a rock and a hard place it appears! The car is in a council lock up and I should be able to change the steering box there. At the moment it has no tax and the MoT is at least 3 years out of date. So, I can't drive it on the road, but I need to drive it to clear this problem. I also need to drive it to test the brakes as I assume they will be rather stiff after a period of no use. The MoT tester is about 1/3 mile away, so not much driving to get there either (unless I take a mildly circuitous route.....) I note the need for fresh fluids and I will do that when it is MOT'd and more mobile. Cheers Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil110 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 If it hasn't moved in 3 years you might need to replace the brakes, the probability is that there will be significant rust on the discs at least. You might get away with a wire brush in a drill, depends on how close the discs are to the minimum thickness limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 You can drive it to a prearranged appointment for repair as well as to a prearranged mot test. The grey area is if that is your home.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Trailer it to a place where you can at least start the vehicle and run the engine at fairly high revs for a prolonged period without people thinking there is a fire somewhere. Do check the air filter and rest of the induction side first though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cackshifter Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Why not try advancing it a bit to see if it helps? Check whether it's timed Ok to start, and if it is you know you can get back to where it was. Or you could always mark a line on the pulley and hub. If it fixes the problem pro tem, well and good. If not you are no worse off. You can always get back to where it is supposed to be then. Re the brakes, you'll need to check whether they work or not before going anywhere , but assuming it's been reasonably dry you might have got away with it. Light rust will clean off with a few applications, heavy won't and you'll maybe need discs and pads. Drums will clean up with emery paper after removal. Try and pick an MOT place a few miles away, and 'use' the brakes and engine on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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