Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) · 2024-01-22 10:43:49

Hello!

I am having some trouble with my 2001 Citroen Jumpy/Dispatch with the 1.9D DW8 WJZ engine. When started cold there is white smoke coming from the exhaust and the engine runs really bad, it misfires. It wil drive, but these symptoms stay as long as the engine is cold. As soon as the engine warms up it seems to run just fine.

Usually you would start by changing the glow plugs with these symptoms, but I don't think that is the problem because right before these issues the engine had some timing belt problems. While driving the engine suddenly started to run terrible. AA said the engine was probably done for and brought the car back home on a flat bed. I found that the bottom crankshaft cog bolt was loose, causing the timing to be off. The belt was changed in 2021 and had only done about 30k kilometers since changing. I thought that would be the end for my little Jumpy, but tried to revive it anyway. After tightening the crankshaft bolt and retiming the engine I ran the engine for a bit. After a few initial misfires (some unburnt diesel left from wrong timing?) it ran great. So I ordered a new belt, fitted it, and here we are now.

Now I don't recall any white smoke when I shortly ran the engine after retiming it for the first time. I do think it ran better than it does now. But I am second guessing myself because I only ran it for a little while since there was no auxiliary belt on the engine.

Here is where I would like some input from someone that maybe knows a bit more about these engines than myself smile

- Is it likely that I fitted the new timing belt (slightly) incorrect causing these problems? I did recheck the timing before putting everything back together, but I am no mechanic by trade and am human. I think that if this would be the case the engine would also run bad when warm.
- Is it possible that maybe the valves did touch the pistons causing damage?
- Is it perhaps not at all related to the timing issues? There were no cold start issues prior to the timing incident.

Thanks for reading and any tips you can give!

Edit:
Here is a YouTube video (not mine) of someone having the exact issue on the exact same van as I had with regards to the timing belt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p_TDIbKyUM&t=362s
Engine start at 0:33. Talk about loose crankshaft cog at 5:02.
He decided to replace to engine. I decided to try and save mine.

To bet clear. This is NOT the issue I have now. The cold start problems are right after replacing the timing belt en fixing the timing.

Last edited by Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) (2024-01-22 12:23:32)

scotchjoe · 2024-01-22 11:49:35

White smoke from a cold engine, clearing when engine warm is also a symptom of the valve stem oil seals failing.

Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) · 2024-01-22 12:18:33

Thanks for the response! If this is the issue, shouldn't I have also had the cold start problems prior to the timing going wrong? Or can the wrong timing somehow damage the valve stem oil seals?

scotchjoe · 2024-01-22 13:10:17

I don't really have the ability to help further.
Just giving you things to ponder.
The smoke would also be light grey/light blue from valve stem oil seal failure, or engine oil in the combustion chamber. Not white as your van is showing.

Last edited by scotchjoe (2024-01-22 13:23:50)

Casper · 2024-01-22 14:18:13

Valve stem seals would mean oil seeping through so blue ish smoke. White smoke could mean start of head gasket going to just condensation in the exhaust. Cold weather could explain that is its whats happening now with my Maxus. Engine running like a bag o shite when cold. Check glowplug relay is working and check the power is getting to the plugs. I noticed when i had my dispatch and Expert the coil light went out way before the relay clicked of. Also check you crank shaft sensor is seated properly or even replace it for the sake of a few quid. If its running fine when worm i cant see it being a timing issue. Stop solenoid in the pump possibly????

Rabnudj · 2024-01-22 14:22:36

unrelated to you timing belt change, but most definitely worth taking a look at is the EGR valve. When they play up, smoke from the rear is what happens. Best option is to disable it (easy job) and see what effect it has on your issue.

follow this thread to learn more...> https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/foru … php?id=715

Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) · 2024-01-22 16:42:42

I disconnected the EGR. My engine only had one vacuum line going into the EGR valve instead of the two most engines in the thread you linked had. Still have the same cold start problems, it seems to be running a bit better when hot. I'll have a look at the crankshaft sensor and the glow plugs later.

To me it seems the cold start problems have to somehow be related to the slipped timing because before that happend the engine was completely fine.

kenbw2 · 2024-01-22 20:28:13

I know the slightly later DW8s had electronic advance on them, which helps with cold starts. I can't help with your specific issue but I wouldn't rule out a *slight* mismatch on timing to cause that. Injecting fuel too early/late?

When it's cold, and you rev does it smooth out or still misfire? When I ran my DW8 on veg oil after the fuel pump was replaced (and resultant timing belt adjustment) it would white smoke and misfire until it warmed up. Unless I revved it, which smoothed things out.

You could try experimenting with rotating the fuel pump a nudge backwards/forwards. Three bolts on the pump cradle and then rotate. It won't cause any pistons-hitting-the-valves if you do that, worst case it just fudges the injection timing at which point you rotate the other way until it smooths out.

OAT · 2024-01-22 21:04:20

kenbw2 wrote:

I wouldn't rule out a *slight* mismatch on timing to cause that. Injecting fuel too early/late?
When it's cold, and you rev does it smooth out or still misfire? When I ran my DW8 on veg oil after the fuel pump was replaced (and resultant timing belt adjustment) it would white smoke and misfire until it warmed up. Unless I revved it, which smoothed things out.
You could try experimenting with rotating the fuel pump a nudge backwards/forwards. Three bolts on the pump cradle and then rotate. It won't cause any pistons-hitting-the-valves if you do that, worst case it just fudges the injection timing at which point you rotate the other way until it smooths out.

I think this is worth checking out. You say "I think that if this would be the case (timing) the engine would also run bad when warm." Obviously if it's out, even only a little, it is out at all speeds. But I think the impact of the miss timing would get less as revs increase.

Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) · 2024-01-23 11:57:53

I tried it and when revving it above bout 2k RPM when cold the misfires do stop happening so this sounds very probable. I'll give it a try!

Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch) · 2024-01-23 13:17:55

It's fixed! I was able to loosen the three bolts on the diesel pomp pulley and slightly turn the diesel pump while keeping the pulley stationary by grabbing the loose bolts. I found this was the best and easiest way to adjust it. This did the trick. The engine runs perfect once again, no smoke or misfires.

Turn out I was a bit of an idiot when fitting the new belt. I loosened the bolts on the pulley, like it said to do in a manual I found online, but the pulley was all te way to one side. I put it nicely in the middle and it's perfect.

AlvyLad · 2024-01-23 14:41:18

@Citroen Jumpy (Dispatch)
"Lucky" or not, problem solved

@kenbw2 @OAT
Quality investigation!

kenbw2 · 2024-01-23 18:32:31

Success! Glad to hear it's sorted. And done yourself too! Must feel satisfying

Oscarklemo · 2025-05-29 20:16:16

Love this. I have the exact same problem with my 98. Wonder if the same solution will fix it.

Though I don't have clue where the diesel pump is situated. Does anyone have a picture or know of a video?

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#1 2024-01-22 10:43:49

Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#2 2024-01-22 11:49:35

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#3 2024-01-22 12:18:33

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#4 2024-01-22 13:10:17

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#5 2024-01-22 14:18:13

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#6 2024-01-22 14:22:36

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#7 2024-01-22 16:42:42

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#8 2024-01-22 20:28:13

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#9 2024-01-22 21:04:20

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#10 2024-01-23 11:57:53

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#11 2024-01-23 13:17:55

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#12 2024-01-23 14:41:18

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#13 2024-01-23 18:32:31

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

#14 2025-05-29 20:16:16

Re: Citroen Dispatch 1.9D - White Smoke and Misfire when started cold

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