67 plate insignia 1.6CDTi - smoky, rough

[Blown2CV]

I have a 67 plate insignia 1.6CDTi with 79k miles. After cold start it and often kicks out a load of smoke, and then runs rough for a little while. It is generally fine when warm and there are no warning lights, but I feel like there is something going on... could be glow plug, injector, split turbo pipe or something maybe? I spoke to vauxfix in chester and they were incredibly stand-offish basically saying it's impossible to diagnose without a warning light and that's that. This didn't seem a particularly great answer - is it the case though??

[Bobupndown]

It's not a great answer and completely unhelpful. I'd be trying a different, independent garage.
Sounds like a glowplug issue, assume the smoke is light grey colour if its starting but lumpy? A fault code reader could help pin point the issue. Not every fault puts on an engine management light as the dealer should be aware.

[Blown2CV]

Thanks. Did a bit of internet digging and it does corroborate the glow plugs idea. Apparently they are quite easy to change so I’ve bought some!

[Bobupndown]

Yes easy enough to do as long as you can actually get at them. Deep socket is helpful. Plenty of wd40 or similar around them. Best done when the engine is warm. Carefully loosen and tighten them fractionally several times to make sure they are moving freely. You do not want to break one!

[Blown2CV]

Bobupndown said:

Yes easy enough to do as long as you can actually get at them. Deep socket is helpful. Plenty of wd40 or similar around them. Best done when the engine is warm. Carefully loosen and tighten them fractionally several times to make sure they are moving freely. You do not want to break one!

ha thanks yea i think that was precisely the advice on the video!

Incidentally, i do have a decent socket and wrench set but i don't have a torque wrench i.e. not ability to set the torque. Am I mental to attempt this job without one? I had heard that the best thing to do is to torque the plugs below spec anyway.

[Bobupndown]

I've done them without a torque wrench just like spark plugs umpteen times. You just need to 'nip them up' so they seal, don't need to swing on them to tighten them.

[Blown2CV]

right. Big boy pants time then!