Help!!! i give up 57 freelander 2 diesel getting grey (unburnt diesel) ad lump start up from cold after that fine. changed every thing on the car now tested glow plugs and loom relay and ll fine new egr throttle body turbo injectors how diesel system is new maf sensor checked cam belt timing which was slightly out as u got the funny key way in crank cam pulley but now all fine but really dont know what to do now guys at then end of will to live. it like when u start a lawn mower on full choke they start but straight away sort of chug but then few blimps of throttle they clear and run fine ( i know this is a diesle but best way to basic explain) it feels a timing thing as unburnt diesle smoke and smell when start first start of day and been at work all day when i leave but ever other time throught the day fine and drives perfect......

not looking good 40 people looked and no ideas

A short video of the smoke on start up you are writing about might be helpful to your readers.

Does it have a DPF ?
How many miles on the clock ?

Do you get any smoke on overrun or if you accelerate hard ?

Grey smoke on start up from a freezing cold diesel without DPF is normal IMO



 Jules

Its a diesel its what they do

no i got 4 diesel cars and they all start and run fine

no dpf and sorry when i say cold i mean the engine is cold not the weather can be 10 degrease in the morning and still will do it have an other guy with same problem message me on a facebook forum

Without knowing the extent of your smokiness its hard to comment - all my diesels in the pre-DPF days smoked a bit on cold start up.
(Peugeot 205/305/405, Disco 200/300/TD5, Fabia VRS, Defender TD, FL1, FL2)

The MOT chaps always advised taking it for a run prior to testing to make sure it was really hot and thus not smoke too much during the MOT smoke test.

As I said, a video would be helpful. But from your explanation it sounds normal to me. But if anything I would say its down to glow plugs not working well - some dead or not staying on long enough after starting.


Also unburnt diesel usually generates black smoke - just watch a racing diesel which is over fuelling.

 Jules

Last edited by jules on 5th Feb 2019 6:41 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Have you checked for water in the fuel, is the engine using any coolant? As you have checked/replaced all of the usual culprits it might be time to take it to a diesel specialist who can perhaps diagnose a faulty fuel pump or other such issues like cracked head/faulty head gasket that don`t throw up any fault codes. Looking online this sort of issue seems to affect diesels of all makes and again is caused by the likes of faulty glow plugs/faulty/leaking injectors etc but you have ruled most of the normal culprits out. Sorry I cannot be more help without having the car in front of me.

Hi, not sure if it's relevant but mine used to do this, especially when cold, before I blanked the EGR. Never done it since.

JGH99 Freelander 2 GS Stornoway Grey
Jan 2007 Bought 71,000 miles. Currently 149,300 miles.

How was the compression test ? FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Compression test all good no water used or leaking and egr blanked of to plus black smoke is not unburnt it’s burnt
Been to diesel specialist who checked it all and there stumped as once started and lumpy ness cleared runs fine and will all day

If you had blue smoke I would be checking for worn valve guides and seals. As you say it’s black it’s over fueling but only on start up if no issues when warm. Maybe time to make a video a few cold starts and show us just how bad it is. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

You fitted new injectors but were they coded in?. Also have you checked the common rail sensors, and checked the rail is at the right pressure prior to starting,.

Worn valve seals/guides is certainly a possibility. Otherwise, I'd say that the glow plugs are not working properly. You say they have been checked, so it could be something in the control system not switching them on properly.
Have you tried the old trick of heating them up first - switch ignition on for a few secs without starting the engine to give them time to get going.
To clear up the smoke confusion in previous posts, blue-grey smoke is either unburnt diesel with a cold engine, or burnt oil with worn rings or bores on a hot engine (or on starting if valve guides/seals are worn), black smoke is unburnt or partly burnt diesel due to overfuelling, and white "smoke" is actually steam and means head gasket or cracked head - also smells of antifreeze. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.