I bought a 2004 TD6 with 153k on the clock and full service history with a fault. Lots of white smoke is billowing from the exhaust under acceleration, with only some coming out at idle. The fault happened with the previous owner who believes the problem is a knackered turbo.
Not doubting him, however I want to check the simpler things first. I’ve checked and changed the breather filter - the one removed wasn’t clogged. I’ve checked the intercooler hoses and all are very soft and squidgy. The long one has actually gone from round to being elongated. I’m going to check it under load to see if it swells to check there is boost pressure. This said, I will be changing them for silicone hoses for peace of mind.
Should the fault not be with the intercooler hoses is there anywhere else I ought to be checking in before I bite the bullet and buy a recon turbo?
No fault codes have been found (related to this problem).

Thanks

White Smoke = unburnt fuel....
http://www.dieselsmoke.com.au/ 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

I would do I leak down test on the injectors first, it’s a quick and cheap job (£20) that you can do yourself and it will identify any injectors that are knackered and putting out too much fuel. I don’t have the td6 manual but I assume that the figures required for the injectors and their ideal operating parameters will be in there.

The kits to do the job are readily available on the bay or if you look on YouTube you may be able to cobble something together yourself.

Is the smoke stinky in the far too much fuel way? Or does it smell sweet as in coolant burning off? I ask as my S Class was pumping out white smoke and it reeked of diesel and it turned out to be the injectors.

You can find that if it is the injectors a lot of owners are reluctant to change them out as it can be a very awkward job, with some injectors getting stuck or even snapping etc. This in turn can convince the previous owner to sell the car saying it’s the turbo or something else - I’m not saying that’s the case in this instance but it does happen.

On the issue of the turbo going kaput, it would be more than likely blowing out blue smoke not white.

Regards ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Thanks both for your replies. Some interesting reading at the link supplied. I was speaking to someone today who said it could be fuel related too.
There is a smell, not a sweet one though. I’ll try the injector leak test.

Update. I had to cut off the squidgy intercooler hoses and as soon as I removed the knife oil poured out, both sides. I have fitted a new intercooler. Next was to check the turbo - glad I did as it was knackered. Picked up a recon turbo yesterday and will fit it this week. I also took the opportunity to have the injectors tested while they were out - thankfully all 6 are fine. EGR blanking kit has been fitted and silicon hoses will be getting fitted. Fingers crossed for a smooth rebuild and smooth smoke free running.

So another wee update. The turbo was fitted and the manifolds put back on. I started the old girl up and she ran sweet as a nut.....until my eldest (who was standing at the back of the car) proclaims there was oil drpping from the exhaust
She was right, there was indeed oil dripping from the exhaust. I looked into buying a new one the quickly decided to attempt to drain the one on the car. Almost 1 litre of oil drained from it. At that I thought the baffles and cat would be coated, knackered and would still smoke but I refitted it anyway and yip - there was still smoke.

I managed to pick up a complete second hand one including cat fairly locally, fitted and hey presto - no smoke.

A few other jobs such as brakes, track rod end and suspension arms and it passed its MOT with only a few advisories.

Although it’s a 14 year old 3.0td6 I’m loving it. There are still a few niggles such as the radio/sat nav and tv not working and the tracking needs done but once they’re sorted i’ll have a relatively decent RR for about a grand less than they are changing hand for.

For the exhaust you should have waited till it was dark then give it a good blast, just ignore the flames and sparks they calm down after a while.