White/Gray Smoke from Exhaust

[Guest]

I have a Volvo 2001 single raw water cooled diesel.

Even taking into account that the weather has got cooler in recent months, the engine is kicking out large amounts of gray/white smoke. The engine does not smell or feel overly hot but the amount of water coming from the exhaust seems much less, and more sporadic than it used to be. When placing a hand over the exhaust, it is bearable but fairly close to scalding. As an experiment to see if the galleries were clear, I took the thermostat out and loads of very cool water came out , with much less, and acceptable smoke with the engine sounding beautifully quiet. I tried renewing the thermostat ( I think 60C on it ) but there was no difference. The engine also appears to be using more fuel ( but I could be imagining this ). All this seemed to start around the time the water pump bearings were renewed.

Perhaps I have nothing to worry about but any ideas would be most grateful.

Many Thanks.

 

[VMALLOWS]

It sounds to me as if the water pump is not producing enough pressure any more.
I would guess the impeller was probably changed when the bearings were; is it the correct type ?? Was the constrictor plate removed and either not replaced or not adjusted correctly??

 

[scottie]

check the water distribution tube in the cyl head
it runs from the inlet water pipe and has holes like a flute
one is directed down into the block the other cools the injector sleeve

why were the bearings replaced

 

[Barnacle]

This happened on my MD2B. When I took out the pump impellor I found it had self destructed and lost two fins, a new one cured it. Check the pump.

 

[anthonyyearsley]

My 2002 had the white smoke problem in 1999. The cure was to remove the cooling water pipe connecting the block to the exhaust injection bend and scrape out the hole in the injection bend which was corroded up. The corrosion product had reduced the hole to a size that restricted the water flow.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response Scottie !

Will give it a go.

In response to your question about bearing replacement - The pump was dripping and the seal at the water side had gone. The shaft was also worn. Volvo sold a kit to renew bearings, shaft, seals etc for about £67 which seemed worth it.

Regards
Vic