Newbie 2.8 guy

[alanc]

Hi all,
I am pleased to have found this group as I own a 89 2.8 TD Jackaroo.
My Jack does commuting duties but has toured central australia, towing a small van, done Palm Valley, Coffin Bay NP and regular local gravel road trips.
My vehical runs consistent 32-33 MPG but has always smoked at high loads and when cold.
The posts on this site have given me plenty to check out and I am looking forward to tuning the engine.
I am nervous about some of the more radical tweaks reducing the engines long term reliabilty so has anyone got an opinion on this.
Thanks and regards, Al

[geeves]

Ive always wondered about performance mods v reliability myself but am considering a small turbo boost (no more than 14psi) The engine produces enough power most of the time anyway. On mod that gives power and reliability is a 2.5 inch exhaust. As for the smoke as you describe I think the only 2.8s that dont smoke are about to die so nothing to worry about. With good maintanance these engines are good for 400000km or more but bad maintanance kills them very fast.

[andy]

Hi there, i'm a newbie with a 2.8 as well ;D

I've also wondered about the whole smoke thing too. mines runs clean as a whistle after about 3 min but up till then you get white oil smoke out the back at idle and when driving. Should i be concerned?
My last bighorn blew up twice, both in big smokey ways so i'm a little worried about this latest one

[beetOls]

i think that's normal with the 2.8...i experience the same thing...until temp guage goes up to normal operating temp,i see a lotta white smoke and when idle too! just don't rev up too high within those 3 mins...

[geeves]

Theres a big differance bettween a little smoke and a lot of white smoke. When cold some white smokes is acceptable but I call cold less than 10C If i start mine at over 10C theres hardly any smoke This could be water in your fuel do you have to empty the water separator often Same with idle some smoke is normal on a 2.8 but you should still be able to see other cars around you

[andy]

Please excuse my ignorance but where do find this water seperator?

[geeves]

Its in the bottom of the fuel filter. The fuel filter is on the left hand inner gaurd about half way back There should be a plastic nut on the bottom with 2 wires and a plastic tube attached. If you loosen this nut the contents of the filter pour over your shoes. You only realy need to check for water when the warning light comes on but you should change this filter every 15000km which reminds me I need to change mine as its been there nearly double that

[andy]

Thanks for that, i'll do a water test tonight