This sounds like valve stems, right?

[StevieboyTD]

My 2.1 406 is a nightmare to start when cold or left standing for any amount of time (10 minutes fine, 30 minutes struggle, 60 minutes back to square one)

Gives white smoke as soon as soon as i turn the key, even after multiple cycles of the heater plugs it takes about 30 seconds to fire up. Can't crank constantly as i don't want to melt the windings in the starter. I'm getting little puffs of white smoke all the time it's trying to start and when it does start i get a nice "dump" of smoke that would be annoying for anybody nearby.

Once it splutters into life it runs fine, the first time i put my foot down i get a big cloud of white smoke out the back and then it's fine after that.

I'm thinking valve stems. Logic says that the oil is draining down into the cylinder over night, meaning there is a load of engine oil to be burnt off before the atomised fuel can ignite.

Wondering if one of -these- would be any use of the 12v xud block. Anybody used one?

[Welly]

I had a 605 STDT with the 2.1 engine which did exactly the same, pig to start, loads of smoke and more smoke after the over-run. Valve stem seal wear is rare on Diesels as the temperatures are lower, I suppose it could happen but it's not what I'd be looking at first.

We saw that the fuel pump was leaking on mine towards 'the end' but shifted it on quick I had an idea that the smoke was from the head gasket, a duff injector or two (too much d) or even oil getting past the turbo - although this one will normally see the engine self-destruct. I never fixed it which I suppose isn't really helping your question

I can't give you a firm answer but I really can't see it being the valve stems. Maybe a quick coolant 'sniff' would be an easy place to start?.

[steve_earwig]

How old are the glow plugs?

[StevieboyTD]

Glow plugs have been in for about 2-3 months.

[StevieboyTD]

FOUR ruddy dead plugs. unchuffed.

[puggy]

As steve says look at glow plugs , easy to get one or two duff one's , also check
fuel return pipes on the injectors for any dampness which is a sign they are perished .

[Doggy]

White smoke is unburned fuel, therefore it's lack of compression, insufficient cranking speed or glow plugs, (preferably the latter)

Only fit Bosch or NGK - anything else is simply a practice run, for when you get some proper ones.......

[steve_earwig]

Sotty about the Captain Kirt answer, I didn't have my torch earlier. Anyway yes, that do sound like unburned fuel, burning engine oil should be darker. Head straight for the glow plugs, check for continuity & supply (I never had any problems with Beru myself). Other than that it might be the pump as Welly says, but I reckon it's unlikely

[StevieboyTD]

My visit to Halfords....


/me waits around for member of staff to help

hello i like to buy some type 1 bosch heater plugs

huh?

these here, the number 1 type in your book on the shelf

here are the glow plugs - points to 8 packs of own brand hanging on a shelf hanger.

no, i wanted the bosch type, they're better and last longer

here they are

those are spark plugs

oh, hang on, we don't sell those plugs any more.

wha?

i'll check the computer for you, what's your registration, blah, blah.

<2 minutes on the computer>

here you go - hands me own brand glow plugs

have any other branches got them in stock?

no, we don't sell them anymore.