Question on a Diesel Van

for the smoke problem, it sounds like you have a leaking injector, best to get them all out for test at a specialist.

make sure that the dvm is set to `dc` , bridge the battery conections and start the vehicle, turn on all the electrics to put a load onto the alternator, bring the engine upto around 2000/2500 rpm and you should get a readout of between 13.9 - 14.5 v, anything lower or higher than this could create a problem and i would suggest replacing the alternator (please do not replace unless there is a problem( also make sure that all conections are tight and that the battery is of sound condition))

black soot on startup is ok, provided its just a puff.

with the engine running measure voltage at the battery, should be 14-14.4v ideally..

i'd imagine the engine is indirect injection, (does it take some turning over to start? direct injection engines usually start the second the starter engages.. mine does anyway, i can start it by putting the box in reverse, letting the handbrake off and rolling back down the drive a foot then dumping the clutch :) but indirect injection engines will smoke on start up, it's perfectly normal, even direct injection engines can smoke a little bit on start up, but not usually as much as indirect injection engines, and of course if you press the accelerator pedal when starting a diesel it will smoke, there is no need to touch the accelerator pedal when starting a diesel engine.. it wont do anything anyway, as the injection pump won't pump anymore fuel untill the engine speed is upto the speed of the throttle position, and starting the speed is below tick over speed.

Anyway, to get the injectors leak tested if you wanted to (one day you will have to) it all depends if you can take them out your self, if you can then a decent diesel shop will test them for free, usually they will re-set the pressures for free too, or for a donation to the tea fund :) however if you havent got the tools to remove the injectors, then it will cost you, but only usually half an hour of labor, all depends on the type of injector seats tho really, some cause the injectors to get stuck, some have small copper washers that need replacing, some have large heat shields that need putting in the right way round, get them wrong and you seize the injector up, so unless you know what you are doing, it is best to let an expert work on it.

Thanks ALL