ZD30 Black Smoke

Engines and Engine Systems
Johann 1984
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ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Johann 1984 »

Dear Guys,

I am the only driver of my vehicle, and thus never have a chance to really drive behind my own vehicle to see the exhaust fumes.

My vehicle does not smoke ever, except for one two scenarios:

1. If the vehicle labours to the point of almost stalling.
2. If the vehicle stalled (as in on an hectic obstacle) and is restarted.

We are at the coast and my wife and her sister took the Patrol to do some shopping after spending time at the beach. I took a lift with my father in law and was driving behind my own car. There was a steep incline hill to which the Patrol drove up with a stop street at the top. The intersecting road were very busy. I take it my wife had trouble pulling off at such an steep incline and I suspect she laboured the engine. It produced a very big cloud of big black smoke. I take it this is excess diesel that was not burned being spat out through the exchaust?

The vehicle does not smoke at all any other way on normal diving. Is this something serious that I should be concerned about or check out. I am very aware that zd30's are notorious for burning holes and cracks into pistons. Is this a sign of a burning piston and trouble on the horison?

Thanks for the info in advance

Johann
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by JoshJ »

No. Sounds pretty normal. Black smoke is good. White smoke is bad. :mytwocents:
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by IanT »

Very easy solution to your problem!! Don't let your wife drive :rolling: :rolling:

But on a serious note, all diesels smoke like that, my brand new Disco 4 does it, just remember to shift down on steep/long hills and rather keep the revs up and therefor your EGT down

Have you got a madman fitted?
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Stephen »

That is normal under heavy labour . It does this as there is unburnt fuel and the turbo has not really started working yet . Mine has also done it on occassion.
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Johann 1984 »

Thanks Ian and Joshua,

I almost had a mini-stroke and heart attack simultaneously. Yes, I have a black box fitted.

I have a 105 000 km on the lorry and I fear that dreaded rebuild of 160k.

Warm Regards

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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Johann 1984 »

While were at it... What causes the black smoke cloud? Is it unburned diesel?
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Johann 1984 »

Sorry Stephen,

Saw your answer a bit late and thanks!

Johann
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by Michael »

Black smoke at low rpm is very normal and can be seen in many new cars.

Black smoke is fuel that has been burnt, white smoke is unburnt fuel and is the dangerous one which can point to injectors or some other problem.
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by offroadbiker »

BLACK smoke don't meant its broke!!! DIESEL POWER :blonde:
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Re: ZD30 Black Smoke

Post by mvcoller »

Black smoke is unburnt fuel, both in Petrol and in diesel vehicles. Very noticeable on pull-away in diesel vehicles when you pump a lot of fuel on acceleration, as is done on pull-away. It is normal.

Grey smoke is burnt oil, normally an indication of worn valve stem seals on pull-away and if it is while driving at normal speeds, it is worn bores, or a broken ring.

White smoke could be brake fluid normally on a petrol vehicle where the Brake Booster is faulty and when trying to make a vacuum suck brake fluid through the suction pipe between the inlet manifold and the brake booster, into the inlet manifold, into the combustion chamber, where it burns with a while smoke out of the exhaust.

White "smoke" that dissipates very quickly is normally steam, indication that it is more than likely a blown head gasket between the combustion chamber and the water jacket. The gasket may still be OK between water and oil c\channels and will then not have water & oil mixed.
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