white smoke

spl

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hi all, i have a 2008 sprinter 312 ,4800miles on clock, it is used as a mobile workshop carrying out repairs on cranes, i have an automate welder generator system which requires the engine to be run at approx 2000 to 2500 rpm to get the required green "ok" lamp on to carry out welding, grinding etc, i have the problem that after i have finished the job and drive away the engine runs very rough for a while and completely covers the road behind me with white smoke, this clears and then runs beautifully again until i next have to have the engine idling when attending breakdowns at night and require my beacons/worklamps on or carry out more welding/grinding at 2000 to 2500 rpm, generally this happens after it has been running stationary for more than 1/2 an hour, any suggestions as to cause as my local mercedes garage are being there normal helpful selves and dont seem to care. many thanks scott
 

nickcc101

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White smoke can be indication of overfuel. Sticking injector perhaps.
 

turbopete

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wouldnt overfuelling cause BLACK smoke? in my experience, WHITE smoke is steam ie from the heat of the exhaust gasses after a cold start or on a cold day! are you having to top up the coolant? or do you fill up from a filling station or a tank in the works yard? reason i ask is that diesel is hygroscopic (absorbs water into itself) and the filter may be filling partially with water then getting sucked through the system when you set off again. i once came acoss a car with similar symptoms white smoke on tickover cleared when on the go. turned out to be a head gasket
 

jibcl500

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Unburnt fuel is white smoke, if it clears its steam, if it takes a while to go its smoke, have the fuel filters been changed recently?

jib
 

nickcc101

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When you get a failed injector (does not atomize) you get loads of white smoke and the smell of unburnt fuel.
 
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spl

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thanks for the replies, i will just try to clear some thing up

are you having to top up the coolant? = no

do you fill up from a filling station or a tank in the works yard? = always Tesco for the clubcard points :) lol

have the fuel filters been changed recently? = no, the van is new, only 4900 miles on clock now
 

nickcc101

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If the engine is used for road and static use the mileage you give does not relate to the engine. You need to estimate the hours run whilst static and convert this to miles. If you travel say 20 miles per day but run the engine for plant use 5 hrs per day these hrs need to be added to your mileage. Engine servicing will need to be carried out at the new mileage you have calculated (oil, filters etc). You may find that your engine has covered way over the service interval with the original oil and filters not being replaced.
 

nickcc101

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Take a good look at your air filter as static running in dusty surroundings can cause the filter to block.
 

ukhozi

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1987 2.3-16v, 2001 A170 (W168) Elegance TDi Auto, Eagle SS /VW kit, 1999 Suzuki AN400
I had the same problem running an inverter but I installed a couple of large 12v slave batteries with a split charge relay so I didn't have to run the engine unless the batterires went low after a couple of hours running the inverter.
 

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