letter from the epa re: SMOKE!

[hiho]

Hello all,

yes, I've had a complaint about the soot and have to concede that the little beast blows more smoke than a semi on a hill start. It has new injectors and has great compression, doesnt burn oil and timing is correct. I suspect the max fuel "smoke" screw or that the pump might be worn/stuffed. I havent played with the smoke screw, has anyone had any experience or advice?

Cheers,

Matt

[Jarred]

Sorry, no advice from me at all. I would suspect fuel screw for starters.

Did the EPA say anything in regards to fine or anything?

[Transporter]

Hello all,

yes, I've had a complaint about the soot and have to concede that the little beast blows more smoke than a semi on a hill start. It has new injectors and has great compression, doesnt burn oil and timing is correct. I suspect the max fuel "smoke" screw or that the pump might be worn/stuffed. I havent played with the smoke screw, has anyone had any experience or advice?

Cheers,

Matt

I take it as you already checked air filter, did you? Just make sure it's clean first.
Than check the injectors, pull them out and have them adjusted and spray pattern checked, replace them if needed.

[Jarred]

I take it as you already checked air filter, did you? Just make sure it's clean first.
Than check the injectors, pull them out and have them adjusted and spray pattern checked, replace them if needed.

He said the injectors were new....? if they're new, they shouldn't need to be checked no..?

[gregozedobe]

He said the injectors were new....? if they're new, they shouldn't need to be checked no..?

"Shouldn't need to be checked" is true, but depending on the quality assurance of the manufacturer "new" (or reconditioned) doesn't necessarily mean they are perfectly OK as supplied. Always good to have them checked before installation.

I'd be getting a decent mechanic with diesel experience to check it out - you will probably get better fuel economy after the problem is fixed as well (soot is just unburnt diesel fuel).

[Mk1_Citi_Golf]

Air Cleaner first. Just remove it temporarily. Take it for a run. Any smoke? Don't forget to put it back in!!!!! Then as a few said, adjust the fuel screw. Very easy to do, there will be a locking wire on it, with a little lead/alli button sized factory stamp on it (that is unless someone has been in there already)!! It's usually a 12mm or 13mm spanner and flat screwdriver.To shut it down (less smoke) you'll meed to wind it out, half a turn at a time (go till you have less smoke and still have usable power). You will know you have gone the right way as the idle speed will drop to. You will need to adjust this on the throttle idle stop (10mm spanner and flat stumpy screwdriver) which is found 'behind' the pump body. Enjoy!

[Greg Roles]

Don't be overly concerened, this is simply the smokey exhaust hotline you can call, and if a car is reported a few times within a year or so period, they ask you to get it inspected. Otherwise it's just a scare tactic.

I use it on any cars I see blowing ludicrous smoke while driving, where the rings etc are obviously shot, such as pretty much any old Excel.

[gldgti]

Don't be overly concerened, this is simply the smokey exhaust hotline you can call, and if a car is reported a few times within a year or so period, they ask you to get it inspected. Otherwise it's just a scare tactic.

I use it on any cars I see blowing ludicrous smoke while driving, where the rings etc are obviously shot, such as pretty much any old Excel.

i cant say i dissagree with your sentiments, but isnt that feeding the beurocracy? (sorry about spelling..)

i've never had a letter.... luck probly

anyway hiho, wind the fuel screw out half a turn. that'll fix it :-)

[Greg Roles]

Dude there's smoke / soot, and then there's an obvious polluter whos car is pouring out oil smoke all the time and needs some motivation to get the engine overhauled. You know what sort of cars I mean, we've all seen them, and it's the extremes I have a problem with.

It's only a letter, as if most people do anything but throw it in the bin! At least hiho is enough of an enthusiast to do something about it, more credit to him for that!

[gldgti]

Dude there's smoke / soot, and then there's an obvious polluter whos car is pouring out oil smoke all the time and needs some motivation to get the engine overhauled. You know what sort of cars I mean, we've all seen them, and it's the extremes I have a problem with.

It's only a letter, as if most people do anything but throw it in the bin! At least hiho is enough of an enthusiast to do something about it, more credit to him for that!

no no i mean i agree with what your saying about smokey old magna's etc.... oil smoke is yuk...

[hiho]

Thanks for all of your help guys. Jarred has confirmed that my car is indeed filthy! I have changed the air filter and its still a black smokin beast. Time to attack the max fuel screw!

[Jarred]

I thought my car was bad enough, but no wonder you got a letter from the EPA! hahahah

[hiho]

Im going to adjust the max fuel screw this weekend :(
What I'd like to check also is the pump internal pressure, see this link:
http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5936&sid=76b741e42d5a2e19b2a8d6df2c2b9976

It seems that the dynamic advance may be affected by fuel viscosity......

Im also going to reseal a spare pump and install it as the current pump is starting to leak

[simonn]

iI use it on any cars I see blowing ludicrous smoke while driving, where the rings etc are obviously shot, such as pretty much any old Excel.

i have an excel with 210,000km on the clock, still no smoke.