I have a 2006 Ducato based motorhome (2.3 old model) that has done about 24k with oil change, filter, timing belt etc at 20k. On my way home tonight I noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust when accelerating away from roundabouts/traffic lights. doesn't appear to be any smoke when in top gear and touring along. When I got it home I checked the coolant level - OK and the oil filler cap to see if there any gunge on it - clean as a whistle. Started the engine again - no smoke and pressed the accelerator down hard....again no smoke. Perhaps accelerating through the gears is the difference? Anyone any comments or advice

Thanks

George

Hi. Most diesels will put out a bit of smoke on accelerationit looks worse at night because the headlights of following cars pick it out.

If you use cheap supermarket diesel it will be worse and youwill get less power and mpg.

I have three diesel vehicles including a motor home and havefound it works out cheaper with Esso or b.p fuel simply because of the bettermpg.

Thanks Cris. When I said tonight I should have said evening as it was still light (about 1900) when I noticed the smoke "left behind" when I accelerated out of a roundabout. I then noticed it on a few other occasions when I glanced in the side mirror. Up until this evening I've never noticed it before and I haven't filled up recently anywhere. A bit disconcerting when you read about turbo problems, head gaskets and cracked blocks!

Have you just cleaned your rear view mirrors?

Hi. Have you checked the oil level for overfill?

White smoke is usually diesel that has not combustedproperly, often mistaken for steam which could simply be condensation in theexhaust box burning off especially if it has been standing about for a while.

If you’re not getting any other problems I would take it fora good long run and see how it goes.

If you’re not losing water and it’s not getting hot I wouldforget head gasket and block, not to up on turbo problems but at that mileage Iwould be very surprised.

This seems to be a commonly reported problem hereabouts and although lots of people have had their vehicles poked by mechanics no one seems to have come to any real conclusions.

Did you ever find a solution?

If it has a slight misfire on the morning and puffs out smoke....the egr cooler is failing internally and leaking coolant back into the cylinders. Hence the misfire first thing as its trying to combust the coolant. Check your coolant level .. dont pressure test system if you suspect cooler failure. If its failed badly it will totally fill the cylinder and hyrdolock.