2003 Isuzu NPR White Smoke Persists and Timing Marks are WRONG (I think)

[R8f1k]

2003 Isuzu NPR white smoke persists after I had the injectors professionally rebuilt. They were due to be rebuilt per the manual anyway, so not really a big deal there. However, the white smoke is still there and I found that the timing marks are probably wrong. According to the book, there should be lines visible from the inspection port on the side of the injection pump. When I turn the crank to the timing mark on the harmonic balancer and the 8 degree mark on the timing cover, there are no lines visible in the inspection port. I have turned the crank three times all the way around and I can't see the lines. If I have someone else move the crank and I can see the lines in the inspection port, the mark on the crank is not lined up. Before I pull the pump and try to line this back up the way the book says, is there anything else to check before I pull it? Below are the instructions from Isuzu.

 

[Toddgarage]

If you had the injectors rebuilt, did you remove the injection pump for a rebuild as well?
I’ve had harmonic balancers slip and cause the timing marks to be off. Either the bonded rubber fails or their key-way was damaged.
Have you completely removed the air from the injection lines?
How long have you run the engine to “clear” the white smoke?
Have you ruled out other issues (bad fuel, fuel filters, lift pump).
Will it idle?


My daily work driver is a 2000 npr, and it smokes when cold. The exhaust smells nasty and burns your eyes. Warms up and all is good. I was told the injection pump was weak on one or more cylinders. That it’s “worn” and not making as much pressure and the injection timing is off because of this.
If you only had the injectors rebuilt and not the pump…. It’s possible the pump can’t build the new pop pressure for the injectors and timing is suffering.

At 20+ years old, these Isuzu turbo diesels are very basic compared to the computer controlled modern units. Keep trying, it will work.