Think I need a new turbo? Help!

[mred406]

It was huge amounts of white smoke. I was driving around 60 - 70 mph and the car just took off on its own and I initially thought the cruse control had kicked in and gone wrong. When I looked in the rear view mirror the clouds of white/blue smoke was covering the entire road. As if the head gasket had blown.

I pulled over, left it 20 mins and the car started but ran as if a petrol would on just 3 cylinders. Lumpy!

I pulled off and the same thing happened again, lots of smoke and the revs went crazy. The engine then cut out and has not started since.

 

[E270 Owner]

White smoke is unburnt fuel.

Looks like an injector failed.

 

[mred406]

White smoke is unburnt fuel.

Looks like an injector failed.

Ok, so if an injector has failed would this cause problems with the pump because the pump is not producing the right pressure needed and when the mechanic done a leak off test there was no fuel leaking off?

Could the car need a new injector and new or replacement pump? The mechanic wants to get the pump checked and possibly repaired at a local diesel specialist as he said this would cost half the price of a new pump.

Either way, all this sounds expensive. I have only had the car 2 weeks and I bought it from a trader who sells cars from home. Would I be unreasonable to ask that he contribute towards the cost of all this?

 

[E270 Owner]

Not sure what your mechanics tested or his full diagnosis, but certainly an diesel specialist would be advised to test the fault.
IE: test all injectors and the pump off the vehicle.

Ask the seller to help you.

Citizens Advice - Buying a car from a private seller ? what you need to know

 

[mred406]

Not sure what your mechanics tested or his full diagnosis, but certainly an diesel specialist would be advised to test the fault.
IE: test all injectors and the pump off the vehicle.

Ask the seller to help you.

Citizens Advice - Buying a car from a private seller ? what you need to know

Thanks for the link.

The seller is a trader which does put me in a much stronger position than a private sale. I was going to ask if he would meet me half way 50/50 on the cost of the repairs.

The update today is that all 4 injectors need to be repaired as the tips have burnt away. Until this is done, there is not much else the garage can do. The mechanic said the turbo appears to be all ok and the high pressure pump will be tested but he thinks that is ok too.

He said he has never seen this happen before and fingers crossed the engine is ok. The cost is £125 plus vat per injector for the repair and the labour time to remove and refit, luckily he said all 4 injectors came out with no problem.

My wallet is suddenly feeling rather light!

 

[panason1c]

I wonder if the car has previously had petrol accidently added to the diesel fuel tank, eventually resulting in burnt injector tips? (and also possible damage to the HP pump)