I recently drove the Td6 down to the Alps for a ski trip and when I started her up in the cold and ice (-6 etc under a blanket of snow) she would kick out a fair bit of smoke and sound a little out of balance on tick over as though she was misfiring. Once warmed up there was no problem at all.

On returning to to the relative warmth of Blighty she starts up perfectly with no smoke, although there is sometimes an odd smell of burnt oil or fuel which goes after a minute or so.

Is this something to worry about or a sign of a key part about to go pop? Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

Sounds like you might have one or more glowplugs not er.. glowing!

They are the diesel analogue of the spark plug in a petrol (although completely different!) and like the spark plug they don't last forever.

The same thing happened to me a few years ago when I took my A6 Allroad to the Alps. On start up it would belch out a lot of black smoke. When it was warm it was fine and was ok cold starting when i had left the mountains. I put it down to the diesel waxing up in the continuous cold temperatures.

I'll keep and eye on it, it starts up perfectly now the temperature is warmer. The smoke thing does happen occasionally in normal UK climate but is much less so, I guess it must be some fuel lingering about in the system at shut down. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic

The odd smell of burnt oil / fuel could just be exhaust fumes from the FBH ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

More than likely caused by the fuel, I got a bit of smoke when I start up after a really cold night and I havent let the pre-heat and glow plug light go out. The diesel can wax up a bit, especially dependent on where you get your fuel (i.e. which garage chain you use). I use Morrison's for my fuel and notice that they put a percentage of 'bio-diesel' in their product, as opposed to Shell / BP who put additives in to 'enhance' their fuel.

More than likely nothing too much to worry about.

Used to get it on my TD5 Defender when the temperature drops below -10 degrees and still get the same with the Full Fat - I put it down to the diesel Nothing to worry about

Thanks for the answers guys, it looks like it must be a fuel thing as the temperature does seem to make a huge difference and once started there is no problem at all. Tom

Current Drive
2011 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography - Santorini Black - Ivory Leather

Previous Drives
2004 Model Vogue Td6 (Touchscreen) - Java Black - Parchment Leather
1994 RR Classic 3.9 V8 Soft dash - Niagara Grey - Grey Leather
1972 Series III SWB Safari - Green (Hand Painted) - Black Plastic