white/light grey smoke on start up

joshi30 · **September 03, 2014, 06:21:23**

Hello people!

car: 2010 hyundai i30 turbo diesel

issue: upon cold start up the exhaust blows out some smoke (white/light grey) - the amount of smoke is varied depending on how long the car has been not used. generally the longer the rest period -> the greater amount of smoke upon start up. it's not a 'huge' amount of smoke, but enough to warrant investigation.

possibilities: i've done some reading. apparently it may be due to a build up of unburned fuel. something about glow plugs not burning off the fuel fast enough?

other notes: 1. i've had the car inspected by a mechanic - no leaks, broken seals etc.
2. the car drives fine, clutch is perfect, turbo works great - verified by mechanic.
3. service history is excellent and up-to-date.

any body have experience with this?
cheers

Phil №❶ · **Reply #1: September 03, 2014, 06:37:53**

Light smoke on start up is unburnt Diesel fuel. This usually is the result of a failing glow plug, or trying to start the engine before the glow plug light on the dash has extinguished. Take the car to your dealer to be checked and if necessary, warranty replacement.

Asterix · **Reply #2: September 04, 2014, 20:31:52**

What Phil said.

Ugly Mongrel · **Reply #3: September 06, 2014, 10:09:52**

Josh, check the glow plug fuse.

panthersteve · **Reply #4: September 08, 2014, 02:11:32**

I too have had this. My dealer tells me there is a software update to fix it.

Anyone know if this is true ??

Steve

Phil №❶ · **Reply #5: September 08, 2014, 03:08:53**

Most members have had to have glow plugs replaced, to fix this problem. Not everything can be fixed with a software update.

panthersteve · **Reply #6: September 15, 2014, 01:28:35**

I took mine in for its software update on Friday, they told me they found a leak in the turbo so they are replacing it this week

Dazzler · **Reply #7: September 15, 2014, 04:22:31**

Quote from: panthersteve on September 15, 2014, 01:28:35

I took mine in for its software update on Friday, they told me they found a leak in the turbo so they are replacing it this week

Great they are being proactive..

Better now, than outside warranty...

panthersteve · **Reply #8: September 24, 2014, 22:53:09**

Well the new turbo was fitted last Friday and for 3 of the next 5 mornings it has still produced the same smoke. It is now going to go back in tomorrow for another look.

Dazzler · **Reply #9: September 25, 2014, 11:11:39**

Quote from: panthersteve on September 24, 2014, 22:53:09

Well the new turbo was fitted last Friday and for 3 of the next 5 mornings it has still produced the same smoke. It is now going to go back in tomorrow for another look.

panthersteve · **Reply #10: September 29, 2014, 00:15:47**

After suggesting several times that they should look at the glow plugs the car was returned to me on Friday with the news that all 4 glow plugs have been replaced as a precaution even though only 1 showed a bad reading. Hopefully it is fixed now, time will tell

Phil №❶ · **Reply #11: September 29, 2014, 01:15:53**

Keep us posted.

panthersteve · **Reply #12: October 08, 2014, 22:36:09**

With nearly 2 weeks since the new glow plugs being fitted and no smoke so far I am beginning to feel confident the problem has been fixed.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #13: October 09, 2014, 09:07:45**

Dazzler · **Reply #14: October 09, 2014, 10:41:25**

thanks for the update

Bigdsl · **Reply #15: January 08, 2015, 23:22:28**

How is your car my car has been doing the same thing for a while now but hyundai say they cant get it to happen. Any update?

Phil №❶ · **Reply #16: January 08, 2015, 23:29:44**

Suggest you video a start up & present Hy with the evidence.

They can't argue with that, make sure you get your numberplate ID in the pictures.

FatBoy · **Reply #17: January 08, 2015, 23:35:33**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on January 08, 2015, 23:29:44

Suggest you video a start up & present Hy with the evidence.

They can't argue with that, make sure you get your numberplate ID in the pictures.

Great advice, Phil.

panthersteve · **Reply #18: January 11, 2015, 21:41:42**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on January 08, 2015, 23:29:44

Suggest you video a start up & present Hy with the evidence.

They can't argue with that, make sure you get your numberplate ID in the pictures.

That is exactly what I did, although I found it wasn't required as they believed me.

Ask if they have measured the glow plug resistances when cold, this is how my problem was found to be glow plugs (other than me telling them they were the cause), hot values showed them to be normal. Mine were measured first thing in the morning before the car had been started.

Cheers
Steve

Phil №❶ · **Reply #19: January 11, 2015, 21:47:16**

So, they are / have been replaced and all is well.

panthersteve · **Reply #20: January 12, 2015, 05:46:50**

Quote from: Phil №❶ on January 11, 2015, 21:47:16

So, they are / have been replaced and all is well.

Yep

Quote from: panthersteve on October 08, 2014, 22:36:09

With nearly 2 weeks since the new glow plugs being fitted and no smoke so far I am beginning to feel confident the problem has been fixed.

Bigdsl · **Reply #21: July 17, 2015, 23:31:23**

I took video footage without editing of myself walking to the car Rego plates and all, i start it and goes straight to exhaust..... look at the smoke!!

sorry but we need to see it with our own eyes! What the hell! Are you serious. Even with indepedant mechanic footage of all glowplugs failing they didnt believe me. Then agreed to replace them at no cost cos the glowplugs were performing outside of spec and moreso to keep my happy. Cant even admit a issue. And not listed iin servicing for inspection or replacement

Phil №❶ · **Reply #22: July 18, 2015, 00:07:24**

Some places are simply painful to deal with, unfortunately. This is one area where Hy do need to listen and lift their game. At least you're getting the defective parts replaced.

Dazzler · **Reply #23: July 18, 2015, 01:05:32**

Quote from: Bigdsl on July 17, 2015, 23:31:23

I took video footage without editing of myself walking to the car Rego plates and all, i start it and goes straight to exhaust..... look at the smoke!!

sorry but we need to see it with our own eyes! What the hell! Are you serious. Even with indepedant mechanic footage of all glowplugs failing they didnt believe me. Then agreed to replace them at no cost cos the glowplugs were performing outside of spec and moreso to keep my happy. Cant even admit a issue. And not listed iin servicing for inspection or replacement

Video can easily be manipulated. I can understand them having to do a physical check (Would be a condition of reimbursement by Hyundai)