My 93 Townie has been smoking for a while now. Its only got 80000km on the clock .My family and I are heading of to the South of France in July. So I was obviously concerned infact every time I've read this site I become more concerned with probable forth coming problems.My mechanic DIRECT DIESELS Broughton near Chester has informed me that I need a replacement set of injectors £150 plus VAT and also a type of exhaust filter :named in letters which escapes me right now. He did hasten to add so far,prior to further checks. My smoke problem I hope will be resolved by the replacement injectors then I've got a full service to attend to.I bought my Townie off a towing caravan fanatic.I did not realise at the time how little bhp Townies have and I am sure this has played havoc with the engine.He was very keen on the Lake Distict which as we all know is hilly.So the prognosis is ,be very aware of tow bars cos they can carry heavy loads and mess your engine up aswell as your wallet.I now wait in anticipation for the final financial damage. Thought I would share this with you. Please reply to Killjoy@Broke .com - (#373) Gwyn Wilde, 28 Jun 01

Gwyn,
Would that be an EGR filter? The EGR sends some exhaust gas back into the intake for emmissions purposes, and can be disables in the UK. There's a solenoid valve and a diaphragm assy at the rear of the engine, beside the fuel filter . Just disconnect the wiring plug on the valve. Before taking the plunge on the injectors, verify that the fuel and air filters are clean, and the injection timing is OK. £150 is a little steep for a set of nozzles, BTW - (#376) David Miller, 29 Jun 01

i get thick black smoke when a accelerate hard or rev hard standing still. if i kickdown i get pawls of smoke , just changed oil and filter and put cleaner in fuel (last 2 tanks), any ideas what it can be - (#1508) ron, 26 Nov 01

Have you replaced both air and fuel filters? Has this just started or has it always been smoky? - (#1512) david miller, 27 Nov 01

has always smoked a bit since i got it in june. havent replaced fuel filter, will try that .thanx - (#1514) ron, 27 Nov 01

When I replaced the top cover seal I altered the screw on the pump by the distributer pipes manifold and have had black smoke on accelerating since.
I can reduce by adjusting screw but had no power.
I,e, foot hard down.
Is there a setting for that screw in relation to tickover, cold start, etc.
Also had to adjust kick down cable.
Running ok at present but only guessing.
Phil

- (#6939) phil, 25 Jan 03

that's the max. fuel screw, it alters EVERYTHING... A very fine adjustment, you'll go from no power to loads smoke in like 1/4 turn. If you haven't moved anything else, try setting it so that idle is 750, idle up (hot) is 1000 or so, and max revs are 5000. That's the factory setup, and as long as you haven't moved the idle or rev- limiter screws, it should return to those settings again...

- (#6940) david miller, 26 Jan 03

I will try this to-morrow.
Is this right David. Rev up gently to max stop screw check reading.
What should the rpm be as the full throttle screw has not been touched.
As you say turn the screw back do you mean turn in or out. Or clockwise anticlockwise from front or rear.
And only turn a 1/4 of a turn at a time.
Sorry to sound stupid but not sure which way to turn.
Thanks David

- (#6968) phil, 27 Jan 03

book says 5100-5200 with the pedal on the stop. To reduce revs and fuelling, unscrew the adjuster, that is, anticlockwise from the rear. 1/4 of a turn TOO much. You're probably talking about 1/12 of a turn from one side of OK to the other. Like I said, it's a fine adjustment...
slacken the locknut, turn the screw an imperceptible amount, and try- if you see the screw turn visibly, it's likely gone too far, LOL

- (#6969) david miller, 28 Jan 03

Took to max revs today.
4900 rpm only. Which way do I need to go now.
Thanks Phil

- (#6970) phil, 28 Jan 03

4900 in neutral, right? just confirm, you're short on power at this setting? clockwise looking from the rear.
make fine adjustments until you have power without excessive smoke.
hth

- (#6971) david miller, 29 Jan 03

Yes 4900 in neutral. Power seems to be ok but not sure quite what to look for.
There was so much black coming out a big circle stayed on the ground at full revs.
No oil being burnt at all never drops. Water never drops. Is this any help.

- (#6972) phil, 29 Jan 03

well, I'd prbablt leave it alone at this stage if I were you. Reasonable power and little smoke? sounds OK

- (#6973) david miller, 29 Jan 03

I have played round today in the snow down here in som.
Adjusted the mixture screw almost right I think.
Only a bit of black smoke when I rev up. Is that normal.
No excess smoke when driving.
Power seems ok.
Just very fine tweek now if I need.

Thanks David.
phil

- (#7002) phil, 30 Jan 03

sounds good. Barely visible smoke when you stand on the pedal is what you're looking for. It is fine, isn't it...

- (#7003) david miller, 31 Jan 03

hi all, had similar problems last year, towmie failed big time on emissions 7.03 lowest 10.00 highest! I had the injectors removed and cleaned by diesel specialist and tested to a reading of 2.00. Returned to garage but still failed, went straight to nearest garage where it passed, anyway to cuta long story short and after complaining to the ministry we finally got a pass. The moral of the story is the injector over haul was worth the investment, the performance was improved at a cost of 270, or find an mot station that knows what it is doing! One last question can, im selling up after 3 years of townie chugging can anyone tell me what a g reg townace masterace surf in reasonable condition with 175000 km will fetch? many thanks
mark

- (#7019) mark richardson, 5 Feb 03

Hiya Mark, what you selling it for its got a years mot on its back and it should run more economical too
prices for that year vary from between 2 and 3 grand id say .. depending on condition and miles (mainly condition) the km might put them off a bit there used to the ridiculously low milleages from japan you see - best of luck with it
regards jim

- (#7020) J adgo, 5 Feb 03

Make him an offer Jim. You could add it to your fleet and use it when the ashtrays get full in your other one :-)

- (#7105) Ian Dunse, 6 Feb 03

Greetings all from Moscow,
My townie is now back on the road after being sidlined for three months due to a wreck. My question is concerning tires
I was told from the guy I bought my townie from that I had to keep the same kind of tires all the way around or it would ruin the 4X4.
Right after I bought the townie i put new tires all the way around, but i bought tires that are hard as a rock and do nothing to help the ride. One of my tires was totally destroyed in the wreck so I have to buy a new tire. I was thinking of buying two new ( softer ) tires and putting on the front to help soften the ride. Of course they would be a different brand. Could anyone tell me if this would really do damage to the 4X4?
Thanks
mervin

- (#7809) mervin, 22 Mar 03

Well, you should only use 4x4 whan it's slippy, so it's not such an issue.However, running mismatched tyres will cause bind-up to occur if you're in 4x4, so is it bad? yes.

- (#7810) david miller, 22 Mar 03