FAQ Zetor Engine smokes/smokes - troubleshooting and remedy

[Joachim]

My tractor is smoking/smoking unusually - what's going on?

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There is no general answer, but the color of the smoke can often indicate the possible cause.
So here in the Zetor Technology Lexicon are a few tips on possible causes...

Smoke/smoke coloring from the exhaust:

Almost colorless, but insufficient engine power:

- air filter clogged​

- and/or incorrectly adjusted or defective injection pump​

and/or defective diesel feed pump​

- and/or clogged fuel line​

- and/or clogged fuel filters or water separators​

- and/or clogged intake pipe in the fuel tank​

and/or air entry into the fuel system (old porous or swollen hoses, cracked pump housing, leaking seal(s) in fuel system)​

White smoke/smoke:

When the engine is cold there is usually condensation and is harmless, but it remains even when the engine is at operating temperature then you should check the following things:​

- cylinder head gasket defective​

and/or cylinder liner defective (rust through, crack, seal defective)​

and/or cylinder head defective (cracked (frost damage or due to overheating))​

- and/or insufficient compression (often seen when/shortly after starting the engine)​

Gray smoke/smoke:

- operating temperature of the engine is too low and therefore incomplete combustion of the diesel-air mixture > warm up during operation​

Blue smoke/smoke:

Tolerable when engine is cold, but disappears when engine is warm. Otherwise the following possible causes:​

- significantly too much engine oil has been filled up, or engine oil is also burned​

- and/or inadequate compression due to stuck piston rings​

and/or oil scraper rings​

and/or worn piston ring grooves​

and/or defective cylinder head gasket​

- and/or worn valve stems and/or valve guides​

- and/or defective injection (incompletely burned diesel)​

- and/or "injection pump ")​

- and/or [URL='http://www.zetor-forum.de/forum/resources/d%C3%BCsenstock-zetor-einspritzd%C3%BCsen-warten-und-erneuern.24/' ]Injection nozzles[/URL] defective (dirty, needle valve stuck)​

and/or injection pump set incorrectly (delivers too much fuel, regulator adjusted)​

- and/or the engine has a lack of air (air filter dirty, turbocharger defective)​

and/or valves defective (burnt, leaking, broken valve spring)​

and/or valves set incorrectly (too much valve clearance)​

- With turbocharger: charge air hose torn or slipped, turbocharger defective.​

- if the engine occurs suddenly, i.e. not consistently when accelerating the engine, and if there is a flame starting system, check it for leaks (shut it off as a test) and replace if necessary​

Smoke from the valve cover breather:

A small amount of smoke/smoke (oil vapor) when the engine is warm is normal here.​

- Stronger smoke and a clear flow of air, especially if it occurs suddenly, indicates a defect in the cylinder head, the compression should be measured. The valves/valve stems should also be checked more closely for wear.​

These are all just rough indications of possible reasons, which should be a first tip for further research into your own Zetor tractor.


If you would like to offer improvements, you are welcome to do so afterwards - I will be happy to add them to the entry.