White smoke after fuel filter change

[Ian_99]

Hi all,

I just did (most of) the service myself for the first time on my 2008 Berlingo/1.6HDi, not much that went wrong besides the glow plugs I mentioned in a previous thread.
However the van kicks out a lot more white smoke and a stronger diesel smell than before, after driving for a while it's much better but it comes back every cold start.
I checked the fuel filter but it seemed fine, no leaks to be seen. Pumping the fuel primer every so often doesn't change much, but it keeps making a crackling noise no matter how long I pump it.
Any tips of what to try? Or just give it a trashing on the highway, this seems to fix a lot of issues with these engines 

[evdama]

If you were dealing with glowplugs and it only happens on cold starts then thats where Id return to
Or condensation perhaps -is there water in the filter housing?

[notsofast]

If you were dealing with glowplugs and it only happens on cold starts then thats where Id return to
Or condensation perhaps -is there water in the filter housing?

Yeah the glow plugs was my first thought - white smoke and smell of diesel indicates incomplete combustion, and if it's only when the engine's cold, a glow plug might not be performing its function properly.

Have you checked the new plugs are properly connected? Maybe one isn't receiving any electrical power.

[Ian_99]

If you were dealing with glowplugs and it only happens on cold starts then thats where Id return to
Or condensation perhaps -is there water in the filter housing?

The glow plugs weren't working before that though, even the relay didn't work. The fuel filter was brand new so I doubt water got in that fast.