[Vwdiesel] Smoke

[Todd Braman]

I've been reading the postings for about a month now. Sounds like some of the group have been around the block with these things ( a few times, maybe). It's been very interesting. Picked up many tidbits already. My problem is:
 
'81 1.6N/A Rabbit 163K original miles, 1 owner (me). Driven regularly till about 5 years ago. Didn't need it and it had a few mechanical issues (timing belt,water pump,diesel leak at advance shaft).It sat for about 5 years. Addressed the problems, changed oil, filter, and Amsoil By-Pass Filter Element,set pump and cam timing per Bentley(old). Now it runs ragged  on start-up and smokes gray/white which gets much better after warm-up but is still detectable even at operating temp. Also , the last time I ran it I noted a knocking sound from the #1 end which went away when warmed up (this was different from the normal diesel rattle). Seems that generally the operation is getting better each time I run it but the starting smoothness is not improving.
 
I have checked the glow plugs (fast glow), all appear to have continuity and roughly the same resistance. The engine pops off within a few revs but frequently will run for a few seconds then die. One or two cycles (including re-glow) and she stays running gradually smoothing out. Before it was laid-up, it did run slightly rough on start-up.
 
I did have the injectors checked at the local Bosch injection dealer for pattern, leaking, and breaking pressure. They said judging from the condition, these injectors were low time. In this light, I need to admit that I have run "alternate" fuels (read some Jet fuel and maybe 50 gallons of heating oil) in the period before lay-up and it appeared to run great.
 
I suspect poor compression on one or two cylinders. I know what the compression should be according to Bentley but I have only a differential compression tester. I could compare the individual cylinders but I don't know if any particular reading would have significance. Does anyone know if diff. comp. will tell me anything?  
 
Low injection pressure? 
5 year old diesel fuel? ( I did dose it with some fuel conditioner from the Bosch dealer)
Pump timing?
 
Anyone have any ideas? She's pretty ugly but I love her.
 
Thanks,
Todd
 
Owned:65 Bug,76 Rabbit.
Still own: 81 Diesel Rabbit,90 Gas Jetta(Wolfsburg), and 01 Gas Passat GLS  


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