5cyl OM602 engine staring on only 4 glow plugs
I'm not quite good with engines, but what I understand that a piston is not working properly for about 1 min (without combustion). Indeed, a diesel engine has no need of spark plugs, using the glow plugs only on cold starts. After the engine reaches a proper temperature the combustion is made just with the help of high temperature generated by high pressure. So, the rest of the way, after the 1min it needs for generating enough heat, the engine should run on optimal conditions, correct?
The owner said that when started on cold weather it makes a bit of white smoke for about 1min and he thinks this is the cause. This could be just condensation, but I'm thinking also that it can be caused by the fuel injected in the cylinder and not combusted...something has to happen with that fuel.
My final question is this
If the engine worked like this for a few years, is it in danger of any major issues?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCn...ature=youtu.be
If anybody has any thoughts on this, they would be greatly appreciated

Thank you!


