2000 Bighorn 3.0td Blowing smoke when cold.

[EtiuS]

So I brought a 2000 bighorn In Auckland and drove it down to Christchurch where it is considerably colder.
The whole drive down was great, never saw a whisper of smoke and there was no issues other than when I started it, the "check engine" light went on but then when off after turning it off and on again.

The problem is when I start it in the morning cold, it smokes like a beast and covers my entire yard with white smoke.
While it is doing this it is also running like S**t and shakes like nothing else.

I took it to the local diesel mechanic and he said it was probably the oil that was used in warm Auckland that is too thick for our temperature down here. He also said that it could be many many other things if the oil change doesn't work.

I'm changing the oil in the morning with some 5w30, and we will see if he knows his stuff.

Has anyone here had this issue before? Or anyone know anything about this?

Also is there anything else I can expect to have to deal with around the 100,000km mark?
Thanks in advance.

[geeves]

maybe but that sounds like another sensor at fault
rob will know which one

[isuzurob]

sounds like a glow plugs out pull them out and test them first, they eat glow plugs

[EtiuS]

Glow plugs was my first thought as well, I put the new 5w30 in this morning and started it up.
At first there was no change but then it stopped smoking completely while the motor was still cold.
My though was maybe it still had the thick old oil still in it's system.
Tomorrow it will be a cold morning so I will try it again. I drove into the garage front first this time in case it doesn't work.
Who is this rob I keep reading about and how can I get a hold of him if the problem persists?

[turnturn]

He is "isuzurob" and he posted just above your last post. A handy guy to have on this forum....

[EtiuS]

Haha, I see him now.
Well I can report, at this stage that she isn't smoking.
I started her this morning and it smoked for 1.-2 sec then revved up to normal idle and went clean.
Only time will tell but it looks a lot better.

[geeves]

they are a fussy engine

[isuzurob]

the glow plugs burn out as they stay on for 2 minutes every time the key is turned off and on, 5w/30 will help with cold starting (but normally thick oil makes them crank for ages and then fire and run fine)

[geeves]

glow plugs are also a cause of flat batterys on these engines. They stay on for 2 minutes drawing 90 amps and the factory alternator only gives 50 or 60 If you do lots of short trips it cant keep up

[EtiuS]

So i started again and as rob suggested, the oil has helped but it still smokes.
If I let it idle, it is fine but if I rev it at all, it chokes out the yard.
I'm going to go after the glow plugs now I think.
Does anyone here have a .pdf of a workshop manual or something similar?
anything I should know before I replace them?