when i rev the engine hard the exhaust emmisions are clear as a bell,but when at a junction or after sitting at idle or giving the van a quick dab on the accelerator i get a cloud of white smoke and then it clears,the van runs well with plenty of power and starts on the button,!!!!!! please help.

andy, May 2007

probably due to a worn timing chain.

to check:
when starting from cold (first thing in the morning) listen to the engine noise if it gets a lot quieter after 5-6 seconds of running it's due to the timing belt being worn.

the timing belt tensioner is oil pressure powered it takes up most of the slack after 5-6 seconds when idling it lossens up again (though not as much as when cold) causing slight mistiming not enough to affect running but a build up of unburnt gasses occurs causing white smoke for a second when you set off.

It happened on my 208d 1996. replacing the chain cured it -
find a garage that knows how to replce it by threading off the old belt and not removing the head - it saves hours and hours on labour charges - mine took 40 minutes instead of one garage which quoted 14 hours labour! cost of belt £15 labour was £75 a bargain - hope that helps!

Graham, October 2007