Technical Ducato 2.5D White Smoke, No power, Help

[sulli69]

I have a 1994 Ducato 2.5 diesel, coachbuilt motorhome, Eura Mobil.
Last year when leaving to go on holiday the engine lost all power and white smoke billowed out of the exhaust. Breakdown came out and couldn't repair.
I have had a mechanic looking at it on my drive since.
Fuel filter replaced.
Compression checked - all cylinders 220+ psi, consistent, so head/gasket OK.
Injectors were rattly so suspected them, all refurbed for £250, replaced, still issue, lots of white smoke and no power.
Fuel tank filter taken out and checked and cleaned - looked OK and not blocked.
A bit frustrated as its taken hours so far and were fairly sure was injectors.
Next to check is timing belt, is timing OK. Then after that all it can be is the pump, we think.
Any suggestions as to what it may be and any other tests to undertake?

I read on here about a solenoid connected to a choke/cold start lever in cab - I have something that may be that, could that be it?
Thanks for any help, it's stumping me at the minute

 

[jackwhoo]

I have a 1994 Ducato 2.5 diesel, coachbuilt motorhome, Eura Mobil.
Last year when leaving to go on holiday the engine lost all power and white smoke billowed out of the exhaust. Breakdown came out and couldn't repair.
I have had a mechanic looking at it on my drive since.
Fuel filter replaced.
Compression checked - all cylinders 220+ psi, consistent, so head/gasket OK.
Injectors were rattly so suspected them, all refurbed for £250, replaced, still issue, lots of white smoke and no power.
Fuel tank filter taken out and checked and cleaned - looked OK and not blocked.
A bit frustrated as its taken hours so far and were fairly sure was injectors.
Next to check is timing belt, is timing OK. Then after that all it can be is the pump, we think.
Any suggestions as to what it may be and any other tests to undertake?

I read on here about a solenoid connected to a choke/cold start lever in cab - I have something that may be that, could that be it?
Thanks for any help, it's stumping me at the minute

Hi,
Check cam belt.
Check timing of camshaft
Check timing of injector pump

Make sure cam belt/tensioner etc ok before proceeding, if it's on it's way out it could wreck the engine.

Cranking pressures appear low but do the above checks first.

Good luck

Jack

 

[sulli69]

Thanks. What's best way to check timing on all that on these?

 

[Communicator]

You mentioned rattly injectors. I think that what you heard may have been diesel knock, which can sound very metallic.


Is there any possibility that the vehicle was misfuelled with petrol?

As regards checking the timing, the following thread should be of interest.

https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/347329-timing-belt-2-5td-8140-27-a.html

 

[varesecrazy]

Silly question

Is this a turbo..or non ?

Not using oil or water???

You said it was on the eve of a holiday trip

When was its last yourney.. was it far..??


Trying to build a picture here

Charlie

 

[sulli69]

Thanks, its a non turbo.It happened last October - I hadn't took it out for a run in a few weeks I think, all packed and ready to go, pulled off drive and lost power and **** loads of white smoke!
Would turn over and struggled to tick over but absolutely no power to even get back on drive.
I initially suspected low fuel and some crap had come through, so put £5 of diesel in but still no go.

Recovery came out, checked if it was something simple, he suspected injectors, got it back on drive.
Had a couple of mechanics I know check it out, one said maybe fuel pump, ones been working on it intermittently since - checked compression and head gasket, OK, so took injectors out and got them checked. Engineers said 2 dodgy and 2 not great so all 4 refurbed.
Refitted injectors and still the same.
Took out fuel tank and checked the filter in it, no sign of issues.
So next step is check cambelt for slippage, we think...

 

[kennatt]

the early one had a manual cold start from cab to pump,if you look under at the pump you will see a lever with a wire attached if the lever is still attached to the wire,later models had this simply cut,try moving the lever by hand it may be stuck,put bar between the lever and see its free to move could be over advanced and stuck,thats what the cold start did ,simply advanced timing from cold. White smoke is unburnt fuel so may be,good luck.

 

[sulli69]

So we have got to the bottom of this. The cambelt had slipped a couple of teeth on the fuel pump, luckily! Put back together and lined up and runs OK so we know its that! A relief.
But... obviously it slipped for a reason and belt and tensioners need renewing, so mechanic set about that. Unfortunately as its on my drive, it appears that the crank bolt needs undoing as it holds a plate that retains the belt so can't get old one off and new one on! This can only be done on ramps as cant get an airgun onto the crankbold as no clearance!! What a **** design!
So, does anyone know somehwere that will rent me a ramp, or pit, in coventry??

 

[varesecrazy]

How tall is the ducato..?

 

[sulli69]

Probably 2.5m, no taller than a high top van

 

[sulli69]

2.8m actually

 

[corcai]

You put a jack and timbers under the sump and undo the lefthand engine mount and drop the engine enough to get rattle gun on the bolt. Alternatively if you have an engine crane use that to lower it. You can also undo it with a breaker bar by locking the flywheel. A cowboy method to undo it is breaker bar against the ground and hit the starter though wouldn't advise it

 

[jackwhoo]

You put a jack and timbers under the sump and undo the lefthand engine mount and drop the engine enough to get rattle gun on the bolt. Alternatively if you have an engine crane use that to lower it. You can also undo it with a breaker bar by locking the flywheel. A cowboy method to undo it is breaker bar against the ground and hit the starter though wouldn't advise it

If you do try cow boy style do make sure breaker bar is correct way round. If you get it wrong the handle of the bar will fly round and cause damage to anything/person within range.

 

[varesecrazy]

As usual with campers..
They are too tall for a lot of car garages

No facilities that rent ramps hourly..?

There was a thread on here with links..

At least your van is driveable now..

Charlie

 

[varesecrazy]

https://www.fiatforum.com/leisure-lounge/293347-ramp-wrench-coventry.html?293347=#post3018910

 

[sulli69]

Thanks all. Ramp and Wrench is 5 mins from me, unfortunately they stopped renting ramp space out a few years back...
I have found a garage to do it for a decent price, £200 labour. They seem to know their stuff.
Am contemplating whether I should recover it there or take the risk of driving it. It starts and runs OK, but if it slips again I wonder if it'll do major damage...

 

[jackwhoo]

Thanks all. Ramp and Wrench is 5 mins from me, unfortunately they stopped renting ramp space out a few years back...
I have found a garage to do it for a decent price, £200 labour. They seem to know their stuff.
Am contemplating whether I should recover it there or take the risk of driving it. It starts and runs OK, but if it slips again I wonder if it'll do major damage...

It could easily go very very wrong and destroy your engine.

Do not start it again let alone drive it .

Get it towed to garage that will do the job correctly.