how much smoke is normal.

[LAGWAGON]

Hey, my 4jbi-t seems to be blowing more smoke than normal. Understandably its a little smokey on warmup, but even after say 10 minutes of driving it still seems to blow smoke.Power seems ok, economy average.
Every other rodeo i've seen or followed has never emitted any smoke, maybe a little but not as much as im seeing out of mine at the moment.
Anyone got any ideas
Dan

[mudgrip4]

There are several earlier topics on this forum covering smoking with isuzus - be good for you to scan back and check them. A few quick thoughts:

What colour is the smoke? - can be grey/black increasing at higher revs which can mean diesel delivery is a bit advanced and is not really a problem. Just adjust diesel screw back little bit at a time - by say one twelfth of a circle (30 degrees) each time till you get what you want. A little adjustment here makes alot of difference. Screw inward for more diesel, outward for less.

Can be blue which often happens on startup with Isuzus - for the 2.8 this can be a breather problem - oil laden fume passing from rocker cover back through turbo and puffing blue esp after vehicle has been sitting/cooling. Again not big problem and much improved with addition of a breather kit (available for about $225) or some type of catch can. Others will give you advice on fitting a catch can.

If blue smoke occurs on start up and especially after idling through town or along some track for 10-20 minutes and then putting your foot down, this may be valve stem seals. I"ve just done this job on my 2.8 and it is easy. Seals are about $20 trade for the set of 8 (or about $90 from Isuzu dealers!!) and take about three hours to put in. This stops the oil leaking down valve stem, combusting and blowing blue smoke. I have virtually no smoke on start up now and nothing after extended idling. V useful job.

If blue occurs at any time while driving, try changing to a top grade oil like Caltex Delo 400 or the Valvoline equivalent. Make sure you check the API (American Petroleum Institute) rating on the container and try to buy a CI 4 rating. CF 4 is ok - basic oil - but quality improves as you increase through CG 4, CH 4, towards CI 4 rating. Caltex Delo 400 available at local Warehouse for about $27.99 or so. Good stuff. If motor still puffing blue at anytime after changing to top oil, then you probably have a more serious problem - likely rings.

Whitish smoke can be more serious also. Could be water evaporating with the diesel fuel, or caused by turbo problems. Others will give you a better picture on this one.

Best thing is check back through topics /answers - plenty of discussion there.

Good luck. Mike