Old Smokey - 10 SWB td

Hello all, I have spent the last few hours trawling this forum in the hope of finding a solution to my problem (well one of them anyway!) and as yet I am not sure I have found a match that fully explains my particular situation and therefore I am prompted to post my own thread in the hope that someone can shed some light on my issue (yes I will eventually get to the point).

I have in my infinite wisdom recently purchased a '96 10 SWB 1.9 td Ducato, which is on the wrong side of 100k miles (well it was (I thought) cheaper than a tow bar and a large trailer!). The vehicle was difficult to start cold and initial tick over was very lumpy it also smoked really badly (white smoke) when first started, particularly when Rev's and this continued until fully warmed up, the smoking is accompanied by a slight smell of unspent fuel. I was told this was due to glow plug problems, which I have now replaced and although it starts a little better all other issues remain. I checked oil/water, no signs of contamination or undue losses/gains, power output as expected 'crap' so don't consider it to be head gasket. Any ideas and better yet solutions (very simply put and in great detail) would be gratefully received. If the extent of my wisdom is not fully appreciated I will admit to owning another Ducato (later model motorhome, also 1.9 td) which is due for its first cam belt replacement, any ideas re sourcing a good quality, competitively priced kit?

Hi
I had the same problem with my 1991 2.5tdi. Campervan. Turned out that the timing belt had jumped a tooth on the injector pump.
Not run for a week or so, it had started fine and then stopped after a second or two. It then took ages to restart and had a load of white smoke caused by unburnt fuel, until warm. It then ran lumpy on tickover with a fair bit blue smoke. Power was down a touch. Changed fuel filter, but still the same. It doesnt have glow plugs but does have a cold start device on the inlet manifold. Once eventually started it would run on one or two cylinders then three then four taking a few minutes before it would tickover at all. Took it to garage who said the belt was correctly tensioned, and if it had jumped a tooth there would be signs of wear on the belt. I had previously checked the timing marks as best I could and it seemed ok, but they repositioned the belt and its now fine , passing MOT, and even seems to have a bit more poke. I did wonder if its possible that there may have been a hydraulic lock occur in the pump causing it to momentarily freeze and the belt jump because of it maybe.
Best of luck
phil

Thanks for that philipo, I was wondering if it could be a timing issue but thought if this was the case that it would continue even when warm. As a matter of interest what was the cost of having the timing belt reset.

It cost approx £180 including £50 for MOT. If you get a garage to fix it you could ask for a new belt at the same time but this might mean a fair bit more expense with more time to fit.
Its also possible that the actual pump may have moved a touch, but you need gauges to sort timing out correctly. I would bite the bullet and get it checked out at a decent garage.

You're probably right, but I was told that the timing belt had been changed about two years ago (no documentary evidence) and the van has only done a few thousand miles since then. I had considered taking the covers off and seeing if there is a date stamp on the belt but knowing me things will never go back as easy!

Update for anyone conserned, took 'old smokey' to a diesel specialist, set fuel pump timing, £40 cash and now a little noisey BUT no smoke - job done!