172 Diesel White Smoke

duckrock · Mar 21, 2022

172 diesel. I have the tractor running again after installing the redone pump and injectors. It was blowing so much white smoke that I
couldn't let it run long enough to get up to operating temp. It also seemed to have a bit of a miss. Might be a few days before I can get it
outside to let it run long enough to warm up. I had attempted to time it before I removed the pump. Since it starts I'm guessing I'm fairly
close on the timing. What might be causing the white smoke? It wasn't this bad before. Is it possible that I'm a degree or two off time?
Is it possible to fine tune timing without pulling pump? If it matters the valves are only set to initial adjustment.

Thanks for any ideas what to look at next.

Dieseltech · Mar 21, 2022

The early Ford 172 was 18 degrees BTDC pump to flywheel static timing, the later engines are to be set 23 degrees BTDC. I would remove the pump timing cover with engine off, and align the pump marks by turning the crankshaft slowly clockwise at front pulley. The 23 degree flywheel mark should then align, if not turn the pump as needed and recheck until the pump aligns at 23 degrees. Late timing can cause white smoke, but the usual cause is low cylinder compression.

Fritz Maurer · Mar 22, 2022

Sounds like it came from R-R engine and machine in Akron... took a pump off a running tractor , nothing but plumes of white smoke when we got it back.

duckrock · Mar 22, 2022

When I timed it prior to removal it seemed to line up closer to 21-22 degrees than 23 degrees. Would it still start if I'm off a degree or two?

It didn't smoke like this prior to pulling the pump for the most recent (2nd) rebuild. It ran pretty good. Problem was the pump had been rebuilt poorly and leaked diesel externally and into the oil.

KCM · Mar 23, 2022

A degree or two definitely will not prevent the engine from starting. I would try it at 18 and 23 to see if there is a difference. If the engine ran fine before you took the pump off but not after the pump was rebuilt, and you did nothing else to the engine, I would say the rebuilder did something wrong in the pump. I bought a tractor which, after inspecting the pump, found the timing advance parts were installed wrong as they could be installed two different ways. That would mess up your timing when it is running.

Mattoney01 · Mar 24, 2022

Im following this as well. Im having a similar issue. Previous owner stated the injector pump was rebuilt. The tractor white smokes, has strong odor of diesel and really white smokes and misses at higher rpm. It doesnt over heat, oil color is fine. Coolant level stays consistent. I originally thought it was a mis timed fuel pump but new Holland dealer says if its not timed the tractor wont run at all?? If its not that Im thinking head gasket or low compression.

Is it difficult to retime a pump? I cant find any videos really of people doing this.

showcrop · Mar 24, 2022

Is your temp gauge working? Does it come up to temp? My 172 will smoke white until it comes up to temp, and without some load it won't.

duckrock · Mar 24, 2022

No, I have not been able to run it up to
operating temp yet. I have a little work to
do to clear a path before I can drive it
out of the shop

I did recheck the timing. It was a around
20-21 degrees. How it is timed at 23
degrees.

duckrock · Mar 24, 2022

It was pretty easy to time. Use a paint marker to make your timing marks more visible. Once everything was lined up I drew a line on transmission and flywheel. Line is behind starter so it can't be seen when starter is installed. Worse part was the constant walking around tractor to turn flywheel and look at timing marks.

To redo the timing after it was running was easy. I loosened all the hard lines and two hold down nuts. Removed starter and spun flywheel until my line behind starter was aligned. Checked the pump and bottom line was not visible. Spun flywheel again until line on transmission was aligned again. Pump lines were close now. Very slight flywheel movements until 23 degree mark was aligned. Turned pump until top and bottom pump lines matched up. Tightened everything down.

Mattoney01 · Mar 24, 2022

Thanks for the info! The dealer told me that if a fuel pump wasnt in time the tractor wouldnt run. I could see the engine still running on a slightly mis timed pump at lower to mid range rpms but I figured it would really present itself at higher rpms.

Is the 172 Diesel a 3 or 4 cylinder? Ive got a 67 Ford with a 3 cylinder so not sure on the cubic inch.

duckrock · Mar 24, 2022

It's a for cylinder

172 Diesel White Smoke

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