Vectra = shite

[Bren]

Despite having the glow plugs replaced I Am still getting a cloud of blue/white smoke from a cold start - it starts without the amount of cranking it used to require- but I still have the smoke.

 

Nothing from the exhaust when hot started - I am wondering if it is an engine problem.

 

Any thoughts?

[bub2006]

Injector issue? Over fuelling when cranking maybe? Stem seals too?

[Andrew353w]

It might be a leak from the brake servo. I know this sounds odd, but if there's leak in the servo system a small amount of brake fluid can get sucked into the engine and is burnt off when you start the car. The effect is that of white smoke, which dissipates shortly after starting. 

 

Sometimes it IS the odd things.......

[Bren]

It does'nt have a servo as such cos' its derv - it has a booster.

[sierraman]

If its doing it first thing from cold its likely valve guides.

[Tetleysmooth]

I know a cure for seal flip, if ever you need it

[Bren]

Looking on tinterweb it appears to be common fault that you just have to live with.

 

All vauxhalls are shit etc...

[dollywobbler]

An air leak can certainly cause symptoms like that, but so can leaky injectors.

[jonny69]

You need to get the wife to stand in the cloud when you start it up. Ask her what it smells like - oil or derv.

 

Sounds like it's way rich on start-up though. Isn't that normal for diesels?

[New POD]

My diesel (a fucking reliable Honda) clearly has a similar issue. I think it's a dribbling injector that drops a bit of diesel into the inlet overnight. Because a) it doesn't do it when hot, it's fuel consumption is not affected. c) it hardly uses any oil and d) it's never used any coolant.