Fiorino 1.7 Diesel P reg, low milage, 40,000.
Starts fine but runs rough, like running on 3 cylinders, get to traffic lights down the road really kicks out a load of I think gray smoke.
Can see it in the mirror and smoke goes across the road.
If I pull out the cold start lever under the dash raises the revs and kicks out a lot less smoke.
Regularly serviced, oil and filter every 6 months, fuel filter changed regular.

When it's warmed up not so bad hardly any smoke just when really cold.
Just had new glow plugs so is warming up properly.
Can anyone explain what is wrong, how to fix it?
thinking injectors clogged, fuel pump needs adjusting, perhaps the timing belt might be a tooth out?

My old fiorino was really old 146000 miles on the clock but engine ran fine didn't smoke like this one.

You MUST use the cold start lever every time you start the car after a longer stop, summer and winter....( see it like a handchoke on a gasoline engine...!)
An old fashioned Diesel like the Fiorino smokes always at the start and the first few miles as well, it's most condensation ( H2O)....!).

Why did you replace the glowplugs in the first place?

Hi
I took my van to my local garage for a few little jobs to be done, when I tried to drive home van wouldn't start.
Garage diagnosed the glow plug starting system had shorted out, so it had to have new wiring and new glow plugs.

I thought the cold start lever was just for really cold weather.
I will try it with the lever out till warmed up.
Thanks for your help.

Use the cold start lever about 30-60 seconds, depending on outside temps!

My Fiorino was the same, quite smokey on start until I discovered the cold start lever, now it starts much more happily and without any smoke. However the only problem is that I keep forgetting to push the cold start lever back in! Last night I probably did about 20 miles before I realised...ooops! would this harm the engine in any way? On petrol cars with a manual choke once its warmed up its very sluggish which reminds you to push in the choke if you are forgetful but on this diesel Fiorino it runs fine with it out...

It won't harm the engine ( in fact I forget it sometimes as well....!!)
Al this lever does is advance the timing some degrees, meaning the fuelpump injects a bit earlier.
On modern Diesel engines this advanced timing at a coldstart is done electronically.

Thank you Peter for being the usual font of knowledge for anything Fiorino related and putting my mind at rest!

My pleasure..!!!!

Hi This is most likely to be valve stem seals as mine does the same. Starts ok although a bit rough with some (blueish) smoke even if you use the fast idle lever (this is not a choke contrary to popular belief) Does it only smoke when cold or if it has been lying for a couple of hours? That would indicate oil running gradually passed the seals on to the top of the valve head, then when you start it oil passes in to the cylinder bore. I take it that it runs ok otherwise? Mine has 109000 miles and going strong.

Regards, Raymie.