White Smoke at Idle 2.5TD, lack of power
 

Hi-

Please help!

My '99 XJ 2.5TD has started to smoke at idle (I think it's pretty white/ grey....hard to distinguish - doesn't stink). A day after it started to smoke it's now down on power, as if the turbo isn't kicking in.
Before all this there was a 'grinding/ vibrating' sound from the engine/ underside at low revs, only very occasionally after long trips. -Connected??

-I'm new to these fancy computer controlled Cherokees! -Used to basic Land Rover 200Tdi's! But I absolutely love the XJ, awesome truck!

Any tips please help. It drives fine, I just wanna know if it's damaging to still drive it....


Thanks guys, really appreciated!!

Matt.

White smoke from a diesel is usually from lack of fuel/ late fuel timing. Have you tried changing the fuel filter?

Sounds like your turbo is on its way out. Pull of the intake and check for shaft play. Minimal side to side play is acceptable depending on turbo, but no in/out play.

Also look for oil residue.

Don't forget turbo seals, man. That'd explain the grinding sound. If the seals are gone the compressor or exhaust wheel could be chewing up the housing.

I know from first hand experience.:whistling2:

Well, yeah, turbo's do fail.

Thanks a lot guys, - it's a huge relief to have some expert hints. I travel on the motorway regularly doing 75ish for a couple hours, so i guess you can't expect a 168k mile turbo to last that long!

Am taking it to the local mechanic to see if he can take a gander....I'm a little concious of all the electronics.....scares me a little i gotta say! :dunno:

In the meantime, any more hints would be huuuuuugely appreciated...I know how valuable these forums are....I soon became a Land Rover expert in a matter of weeks!....in no doubt the same'll happen with the XJ.... :s

By the way, in the meantime, I have to travel back to Uni (120mi motorway trip) tomorrow night......will it be damaging to do so if it's any of the above?

Thanks again!!

If it's a fuel problem it will leave you stranded, if turbo prob, could cause catastrophic engine damage..

I'd just take 5 min with a screwdriver and pull the intake tube off the turbo. Reach in there with you index finger and thumb, grab the little nut in the center of the wheel and try to wiggle it.

If it wiggles, you've found your problem.

could also be a faulty boost sensor, common problem on that model

Would these issues with the turbo cause blue-ish smoke too?

The mechanic today also found that the cooling system is over pressurised as you can't compress the top rad hose. Would that be related?

The rattling/ grinding has now got worse and more frequent too.

I believe the head gaskets were changed 9k miles ago, so I'm ambiguous for it to be them...

Starting to kick myself for buying a VM Diesel!!

Cheers again for your help....