Gray smoke cold start

[antchris5]

Hi everyone please help. I have a vectra 2.0 dti o3 plate. When i start my car in the mornings it struggles to fire up, but after about 10 seconds it will start. But a cloud of gray smoke comes out from exhaust. I have charged the glow plugs at weekend but the problem is still there anyone have any ideas what might be the fault. Please . Thanks antchris5

[the-wizard]

if its only first thing then its ok all day could be injector leak off pipes or injector seals.

[Telly Addict]

Sounds glow plug related, maybe check out the relay?

[antchris5]

ok thanks silly question how do i find out if there is a prob with the relay

[the-wizard]

on the average day the glow plugs would not come on any way, don't think they come on until low temperatures, you may see the light come on and off straight away but wouldn't come on until (don't quote me) about 0 / -3 , put a meter on the feed wire to the plugs from cold and get someone to turn the key. may have an initial 9v then drops down to lower voltage.

[Telly Addict]

Is that not just the indicator? I have noticed that there is tremendous current drain in my veccy immediately after starting as if the glow plugs were being heated, try the wash/wipe on yours and see if the same - it's quite slow initially then after a few seconds it increases to normal speed. That indicates to me that the glow plugs are on...

I was under the impression that all the newer generation diesels had a much improved startup by designing the glow plugs to provide instant heat, with just on particularly cold starts an indication that you should allow a few seconds to preheat.