2L-T smoking

[WNCSurf]

Hi all, first post on the forum. Back in August I picked up a very lovely restored 1990 Hilux Surf with a 2L-T, this is a LN130G-GKMGX model. The truck had an impeccable renovation and has about 89k KM on the odometer. My understanding is the PO did rebuild the head, added an intercooler to the turbo and went all out on each repair. That being said, I've been thru a few tanks of diesel and have added both techron and diesel purge to the fuel, and have been driving it in the mountains for the last two and a half months and I'm still getting a lot of smoke at start up and anytime revs are below 2000 rpm. Truck doesn't seem to be burning oil or coolant. I haven't driven a 2L-T before, so I can't really comment on performance, but it does seem to struggle a bit on big hills or at highway speeds above 110km/hr.
I'm new to the engine, and wondering where to start. One thing the PO mentioned was that it had taken them some time to get the head tuned, and that it seemed to want high fuel flow. He also said they'd tested the injectors, but I'm wondering if it's an injector issue or fuel flow is too high.

 

[WNCSurf]

A few pics just to share

 

[ALX4X4]

Valve stem seals maybe ?

 

[WNCSurf]

Valve stem seals maybe ?

I was hoping for something simpler! Any good way to determine it’s the head without pulling it?

 

[NCtoyota]

Sweet truck. That intercooler is mounted in a unique spot.

Smoking is not necessarily a bad thing with these engines (pending exhaust color). Old school guys would tune by how much haze was coming out the exhaust.

What you need to do to determine if something is wrong is install a boost gauge and EGT gauge. (what going into your engine and what's coming out). The boost gauge can help determine the turbo health and the EGT gauge will show if you are over fueling. Another thing to check is if oil is pooling up in the lowest part of your charged air system. This is an indicator that the turbo is allowing oil through. A lot of VW TDI people put drain plug in the intercooler and drain it every oil change.

I have a turbo 3L swapped 4runner running water-meth. It smokes and I wouldn't dream of reaching a 110km/h in an old SUV.

 

[WNCSurf]

Sweet truck. That intercooler is mounted in a unique spot.

Smoking is not necessarily a bad thing with these engines (pending exhaust color). Old school guys would tune by how much haze was coming out the exhaust.

What you need to do to determine if something is wrong is install a boost gauge and EGT gauge. (what going into your engine and what's coming out). The boost gauge can help determine the turbo health and the EGT gauge will show if you are over fueling. Another thing to check is if oil is pooling up in the lowest part of your charged air system. This is an indicator that the turbo is allowing oil through. A lot of VW TDI people put drain plug in the intercooler and drain it every oil change.

I have a turbo 3L swapped 4runner running water-meth. It smokes and I wouldn't dream of reaching a 110km/h in an old SUV.

View attachment 3755398

Thank you, NCToyota. There is a boost gauge installed, how should I be reading it?
Good to note on top speed expectations.

 

[NCtoyota]

Thank you, NCToyota. There is a boost gauge installed, how should I be reading it?
Good to note on top speed expectations.

How much boost are you making? Is the pressure consistent?

Having to rev it out to make pressure can indicate a turbo needing rebuilt. If the pressure reading is bouncing around a lot can be a boost leak.

I would highly recommend installing a pyrometer (EGT).

 

[pappy]

Hi all, first post on the forum.

First, sweet Surf, and welcome to MUD. I would recommend you ask this question over in the diesel forum. They might have a better idea what's going on.

 

[WNCSurf]

I do have one installed, but what should I be looking for?

 

[NCtoyota]

Is the EGT sensor before or after turbo?

What is EGT numbers are you seeing? With a pre turbo sensor I start backing off at 1000F and never let it go above 1200F.

How much boost pressure are you getting? You should be 10-15psi.