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I am having a problem getting my 2008 Nissan Patrol Ti to start

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I have a 2008 Nissan Patrol Ti and am having a problem getting it to start. It will turn over but takes a while for it to start and, when it does start, it blows white/grey smoke for a few seconds. It sounds like the battery is flat to start with then it's good, and it runs well. It also seems that there's maybe a fuel drain-back, so not sure if the problem is a blocked fuel filter and/or glow plugs.

Worn glow-plugs will certainly make a diesel engine difficult to start and can easily contribute lots of smoke to the equation. But in reality, you could be looking at anything from worn or dribbling injectors, a blocked air-intake system, a worn fuel pump or simply internal wear in the engine itself. A worn turbocharger bearing or seal can also cause these problems, and don't forget about the simple stuff like a blocked fuel filter.

Trying to diagnose turbo-diesel engine problems from the colour of the smoke emitted is a hiding to nowhere and you'll inevitably find yourself changing perfectly good parts on a hunch and wasting lots of time and money. The best bet is to take the car to a diesel specialist and have the whole system investigated.

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