Cheap Zafira 2.0 Diesel - Smokes on start

mark55man

I have found (online) a 2003 Diesel Zafira 2.0 DTi but it comes with the caveat that it Smokes on start up.

It has 4 months MoT - my worry is that the smoke is a sign of something that will cause it to fail its retest. I know its a cheap car I don't want to pay out £1000 for something that will last 4 months

What might be the cause, and how expensive would that be. My thought is to get the vendor (a local dealer) to give me 12 months MoT - but if its got something terminal thats no help

I know there are plenty of alternates out there and probably I should avoid, but this model is very well equipped so if the smoke issue is not really serious this would be a good deal

Hope you can help - thanks in advance

shopaholicz

Has the DPF filterbeen removed?

mark55man

Thanks - not sure - like I said its online and 50 miles away - I guess my real question is it even worth test driving.

Also I realise its not a lot of information to go on - I am not very mechanically minded.

Since I posted I have been doing a bit more searching and reading - tbh it looks like it could be a nightmare. The reason I need a cheap car is New Year resolution to save a bit more - so it all looks a but risky

jimjames

shopaholicz wrote: »

Has the DPF filterbeen removed?

Would it even have a DPF as 2003 model?

EssexExile

Would a 2003 Zafira have a DPF? My 2000 Astra smokes on start up - it's a deseasle, they do that. But then again if the seller points out that it smokes, I'd guess it really smokes.

forgotmyname

Could be low on compression, so burning the mixture poorly when cold.

Injectors leaking whilst standing, putting excess fuel in when starting.

Lack of turbo pressure can also cause excessive smoke.

If your handy with the spanners then it maybe a good buy. If your going to have to take it to tha garage for repairs then it probably wont be, otherwise you need to ask why the seller didnt do that.

jcb208

possible dead glow plug or 2 ,wont have a DPF that year

motorguy

shopaholicz wrote: »

Has the DPF filterbeen removed?

Wont have a DPF at that age, wouldnt cause smokiness if it did and was removed.

motorguy

mark88man wrote: »

Thanks - not sure - like I said its online and 50 miles away - I guess my real question is it even worth test driving.

Also I realise its not a lot of information to go on - I am not very mechanically minded.

Since I posted I have been doing a bit more searching and reading - tbh it looks like it could be a nightmare. The reason I need a cheap car is New Year resolution to save a bit more - so it all looks a but risky

You're right with your instinct.

They are a decent enough car if you get a good one, buying one with problems already is a bad idea. I would suspect injectors are needing replaced.

Avoid.

motorguy

jcb208 wrote: »

possible dead glow plug or 2 ,wont have a DPF that year

One thing i would say is that glow plugs are a PIG to get out of that engine and are prone to snapping.

Its a head off job to get them out if that happens (or a manifold / turbo off and a tow to an engineering works)

facade

motorguy wrote: »

One thing i would say is that glow plugs are a PIG to get out of that engine and are prone to snapping.

Its a head off job to get them out if that happens (or a manifold / turbo off and a tow to an engineering works)

+1

My brother has one with 3* glow plugs, starts with a lot of cranking, runs on 3 cylinders for a mile or so before the 4th one gets the idea, then it is fine.
Haven't noticed a great deal of smoke tbh.



* I do believe that it actually has 4, the 4th is attached somewhere to stop the glowplug failure light coming on, but it isn't inside the engine