Grey smoke VW TDI 85kW: Causes & Fixes

Hey everyone.

A few weeks ago, I posted about my 2.5 TDI 85kW engine having trouble starting. Today, I noticed that it's also producing a lot of gray smoke when I accelerate. But even after driving for a while and the engine warms up, it still smokes gray.
'There's no sign of any oil or water loss (at least, it's not noticeable after 1,000 km). Could it be that the fuel injector pump or the injectors are faulty, or what else could be causing the gray smoke? The error memory doesn't show anything.'

Please provide information and tips.

Hi,

Have you ever tried disconnecting the temperature sensor connector and then attempting to start the engine?
If it then starts up easily and doesn't produce any smoke, I think there might be something wrong with the preheating system.

Otherwise, some of the possible causes include:
(Then the exhaust should look like that when the engine is at operating temperature.)

Gray smoke (which can also be bluish) is produced when the injection timing is incorrect (I'm not sure now whether it's too early or too late).

Or if water gets into the combustion chambers (in which case it will likely appear grayish-white).
Does your car consume coolant?


Regards,

Olli.

hello!
It smokes even when it's warm and running.


Hi,

Have you ever tried disconnecting the temperature sensor connector and then trying to start the engine?
If it then starts up easily and doesn't produce any smoke, I think there might be something wrong with the preheating system.

Otherwise, some of the possible causes include:
(Then the exhaust should look like that when the engine is at operating temperature.)

Gray smoke (which can also be bluish) is produced when the injection timing is incorrect (I'm not sure now whether it's too early or too late).

Or if water gets into the combustion chambers (in which case it will likely appear grayish-white).
Does your car consume coolant?


Regards,

Olli

Hi,

When exactly does he smoke?
Only at partial/full load, or even at idle?

Olli.

He also smokes when starting, even at idle. When it's warm, I can only notice it under partial and full load.

Hi,

When exactly does he smoke?
Only at partial/full load, or even at idle?

Olli