Having a problem with my ‘94 turbo IDI. It starts up easily, but when you get on the throttle, it bogs down and blows huge clouds of whiteish gray smoke out the exhaust. Already tried changing the fuel filter.

 

Well don't be shy, what was it? Way retarded timing? Mouse nest in the intake?

 

It’s embarrassing. I put the foam piece from the air filter kit on top, so it got sucked into the turbo (it’s not damaged). I didn’t think it was a pre-filter, I thought it was to prevent the paper filter from getting oily. It had been so long since I took it apart to change glow plugs, I forgot how it went together. You know how it goes. Get started, find other things that need replacement, then run out of money to finish it.

 

That being said, I'd recommend some timing advance there. You should be seeing /black/ smoke when you have too little air for the fuel, not white/gray/blue.
Considering most all the IDIs out there are retarded due to worn IP/injectors, it's generally the first thing I do.
You'll find that it'll feel a lot peppier, have more power and get better fuel economy.