1st issue/symptom - Bluddy thing isn't running well. It starts, runs really hesitantly and putts out. It won't rev normally. Possible explanation - Just filled the tank 70km ago, so I've just drained a bit off the fuel filter (which is fairly new) to check for water (none there). It is diesel (not petrol).
It's been running fine up till this.
2nd symptom. Ok, it does run now (not perfectly), but choofs out a huge amount of blue smoke from the exhaust. Anyone know what causes this? I'm thinking valves guides, turbo, even rings. It's not a mere hint, it's heaps.
Engine has nearly 200,000 km. I don't know the history of it as I only bought it a few 1000 km ago.
I had put this stuff in the last two fill ups as when I got the vehicle it was blowing some black smoke on startup and hard acceleration. It's supposed to decarbonise the engine. It did stop the black smoke really well. However, I'm wondering if it could have dislodged some gunk that has caused damage further on.
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:50:05 PM
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:53:35 PM
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:54:34 PM
Bicyclecamper said
12:59 PM Feb 22, 2025
Never put additives in diesels ever, especially if you know nothing about engines. Best bet now is to go to a good diesel mechanic, don't touch it yourself. I would though drain the tank and clean it out, including the lines to the injectors, as I am suspecting you got bad fuel, but why did you put in this additive, if it was running okay before hand.
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:04 PM Feb 22, 2025
I used CEM (not the decarboniser though) at one stage on our GQ Patrol that had a lot more kms on the clock than yours. I had no need to clean out the carbon as I was running gas injection at the time (Diesel-Gas-Australia) but they have since closed up shop.
Blue smoke is generally oil problems, black smoke - fuel. It does sound like dudd fuel or air in the injectors. Does the fuel filter have a sight glass on it? The diesel will float on any water that might be present. It could be that the injectors require bleeding but if the car was running ok before the refuel, something sounds suspect.
Are you in a biggish town? A mobile diesel mechanic will be your best bet.
wfdTamar said
02:49 PM Feb 22, 2025
I drove 40 miles (speedo is in miles) after filling. Tank had been almost empty. That would be far enough that if it was the fuel you'd think it would have shown during that drive.
This is not a hint of blue smoke. It's heaps. I reckon something has gone like turbo, valve seals, even rings.
Don't assume I know nothing about engines, though diagnosing something like this when I'm not home is tricky (impossible). As I said, I put the additive in to clean up the black smoking (which it did). I don't know if the additive did this. It seems coincidental, but the kind of thing you couldn't rule out (or prove).
Yes, in inner city Melbourne. It's a matter of finding someone that knows these engines to save my money (i.e. their time diagnosing & repairing). Been caught out before paying top mechanics dollar for them learning on the job.
wfdTamar said
02:57 PM Feb 22, 2025
I did change the timing belt reasonably recently. One possible explanation is the tensioner has come loose and the belt slipped a tooth or two.
PeterInSa said
05:25 PM Feb 22, 2025
If you are not competent to do these checks below do Not do them.
Have you run a scan with a scan gauge ( I carry one with our Sprinter just in case)
Is Blue smoke coming out of the Oil Filler cap?
Is their Oil in the Pipe work (60mm pipe) going to the top front of the engine ( I don't know Ducatos's, but the Sprint has same)
The Decarb could have clogged a sensor. ( which I think is most likely)
I am not a mechanic, these are things that I would check/do.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 05:28:12 PM
Thanks. I'm at Port Melbourne, so that's a fair way away (to have them come and get it with a truck). Oh there's one in Brighton - that's closer. There are quite a few diesel mechanic places over the Westgate in the western suburbs, but I'm thinking a place that knows Ducato's (and the older ones) would be better than a general diesel truck place.
On the other hand if they're a Fiat place they, might insist on expensive genuine Fiat parts. I'm not really in a situation to choose though.
BTW - there's no OBD port to scan from.
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Sunday 23rd of February 2025 12:23:02 PM
Marked Man said
03:44 PM Feb 25, 2025
Retired diesel mechanic here
Lots of blue smoke and lack of power would indicate turbo as the main suspect.
Blue smoke is burning oil, so will be draining your sump and could lead to engine seizure.
Blowing blue smoke
1996 Ducato 2.5 tdi
I'm not at home (Tassie) so can't do this myself.
1st issue/symptom - Bluddy thing isn't running well. It starts, runs really hesitantly and putts out. It won't rev normally. Possible explanation - Just filled the tank 70km ago, so I've just drained a bit off the fuel filter (which is fairly new) to check for water (none there). It is diesel (not petrol).
It's been running fine up till this.
2nd symptom. Ok, it does run now (not perfectly), but choofs out a huge amount of blue smoke from the exhaust. Anyone know what causes this? I'm thinking valves guides, turbo, even rings. It's not a mere hint, it's heaps.
Engine has nearly 200,000 km. I don't know the history of it as I only bought it a few 1000 km ago.
I had put this stuff in the last two fill ups as when I got the vehicle it was blowing some black smoke on startup and hard acceleration. It's supposed to decarbonise the engine. It did stop the black smoke really well. However, I'm wondering if it could have dislodged some gunk that has caused damage further on.
https://costeffective.com.au/product/ftc-decarbonizer/
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:50:05 PM
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:53:35 PM
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 02:54:34 PM
Blue smoke is generally oil problems, black smoke - fuel. It does sound like dudd fuel or air in the injectors. Does the fuel filter have a sight glass on it? The diesel will float on any water that might be present. It could be that the injectors require bleeding but if the car was running ok before the refuel, something sounds suspect.
Are you in a biggish town? A mobile diesel mechanic will be your best bet.
This is not a hint of blue smoke. It's heaps. I reckon something has gone like turbo, valve seals, even rings.
Don't assume I know nothing about engines, though diagnosing something like this when I'm not home is tricky (impossible). As I said, I put the additive in to clean up the black smoking (which it did). I don't know if the additive did this. It seems coincidental, but the kind of thing you couldn't rule out (or prove).
Yes, in inner city Melbourne. It's a matter of finding someone that knows these engines to save my money (i.e. their time diagnosing & repairing). Been caught out before paying top mechanics dollar for them learning on the job.
If you are not competent to do these checks below do Not do them.
Have you run a scan with a scan gauge ( I carry one with our Sprinter just in case)
Is Blue smoke coming out of the Oil Filler cap?
Is their Oil in the Pipe work (60mm pipe) going to the top front of the engine ( I don't know Ducatos's, but the Sprint has same)
The Decarb could have clogged a sensor. ( which I think is most likely)
I am not a mechanic, these are things that I would check/do.
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Saturday 22nd of February 2025 05:28:12 PM
Thanks. I'm at Port Melbourne, so that's a fair way away (to have them come and get it with a truck). Oh there's one in Brighton - that's closer. There are quite a few diesel mechanic places over the Westgate in the western suburbs, but I'm thinking a place that knows Ducato's (and the older ones) would be better than a general diesel truck place.
On the other hand if they're a Fiat place they, might insist on expensive genuine Fiat parts. I'm not really in a situation to choose though.
BTW - there's no OBD port to scan from.
-- Edited by wfdTamar on Sunday 23rd of February 2025 12:23:02 PM
Lots of blue smoke and lack of power would indicate turbo as the main suspect.
Blue smoke is burning oil, so will be draining your sump and could lead to engine seizure.