White smoke from exhaust [RESOLVED]

[MunroMike]

Hi everyone, first time posting so please be gentle. Had a T6 for a couple of years with no real issues but then got intermittent flashing coil light and P0236 error with no change in performance- from reading posts here suspect faulty wire to sensor but not found yet ( been slow at investigating )
However on last couple of starts, the van has had a rough idle and white smoke from exhaust. This has cleared after 4 or 5 minutes and then been absolutely fine. Are they related and what should I do? Van is in garage next week for MOT. Sorry for the long post and appreciate any help.

 

[manfrotto]

Have you re-scanned fro any other codes since getting the white smoke?
White smoke tends to indicate water getting into the combustion, although if the weather is cold and damp it could be a red herring, and normal as the engine warms up the damp air in the exhaust etc.

 

[MunroMike]

I will do and post any codes I get, thanks

 

[MunroMike]

Checked and shown a P0101 mass air volume out of range. Is it all related? I don’t want to drive it if it’s going to make anything worse. Saw posts which say it could be a faulty glow plug or injector.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

White smoke is usually unburnt diesel - has been in the last 55 years that I have worked on diesels. My first thought is a glow plug failure. ( smoke clearing after a few minutes running is also an indicator )

 

[Sasquatch]

You're both correct. It can be unburned diesel or a excess of moisture preent in the exhaust gasses.

I think I'd have retired long before my working life had reached 55 years duration!

 

[MunroMike]

Thanks guys, got it in the garage next week and will check the glow plugs - is it ok to drive till then ?
The P0236 turbo sensor- is it worth replacing as a matter of course anyway, it’s done 42k on a ‘66 plate. Glad of any advice

 

[Sasquatch]

is it ok to drive till then ?

That depends on what's wrong it, and as we don't really know I wouldn't be driving it in your shoes.

A few days inconvenience is a trifle compared to the inconvenience and expense if something mechanical lets go.

It's your call, of course.

 

[MunroMike]

Thanks, think I’ll wait till the mechanic has given it the once over

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

In my experience white smoke was a dead turbo
But that was on petrol jap cars not a diesel van.

 

[MunroMike]

Hi all, update on my above problems. Managed to locate the sensor and swapped with new after taking the skin off my knuckles. Reset the code and ran the van- no white smoke and running fine. Went into the garage to check things over and passed MOT and no issues and no more fault codes - result.
Seems the sensor was the root of the problem. Thanks again for any help and advice offered.