Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) backfire and white smoke?

[superscout]

Just got everything together, +80hp injectors, 4" straight pipe turbo back and a 63/68/14 S300. My bark is gone now but I have a new issue, when I get on it hard it "backfires" through the exhaust and blows a puff of white smoke. If I roll into it gently it hazes black for 10'-15' and all is good. I also have only seen 8lbs of boost and EGT's are in the 800 range unloaded. Can anyone tell me what the backfire and white smoke is about? Valves were run about a year ago with only about 5K miles driven since then. P pump is stock, new fuel filter, overflow valve and BHAF when I put the injectors in.
editing to add I have a #0 ground torque plate and star wheel is 5 turns down from max.

 

[Missouri Mule]

White smoke usually means not enough fuel. is 8 lbs of boost rolling down the road at speed or getting on it?

With every thing you did, you did not mentioned advancing the timing. With all you did you need to be at 14.5 to 15 .5 degrees before top dead center. Stock is about 13 to 13.5 before top center.

 

[superscout]

Timing is not advanced, that is beyond my ability. I can do anything on a gasser (ran an import shop for 7 years) but the finer points of a diesel I am still learning. Just cruising I have no boost at all, mildly rolling into it 6-8psi and giving it hell between lights 25psi. I know once I get it on the highway and can let it stretch it's legs out I'll see 30psi. The white smoke and backfire happen coming off of a light in 2nd, not hot rodding or putting on a smoke show just driving like an adult between 1200-1800 rpm and shifting at 2000 rpm. Only in 2nd tho, never 3rd, 4th or 5th.
As to setting the timing, I leave West TX in 14 days for northern WI so trying to do it myself now is not an option and there isn't a shop here I trust to do it. I will either find a shop up there or have to figure it out myself assuming the timing won't damage the engine for the 1900 mile trip up there pulling a 7500lb trailer.

 

[BigPapa]

I would find some way to check your timing before the trip.

 

[superscout]

I agree 100% BigPapa but here's the deal. Took the truck in to shop #1 3 years ago to run the valves and set the pump, went hunting for 2 weeks, came back and they hadn't touched it, said the computer sets the pump timing on the 5.9#@$%!. Picked up the truck and tried shop #2, I no habla a spaniel so couldn't communicate. Headed to shop#3 and the only one left, they knew the 12V and said they would run the valves but won't touch the pump. Left for a week and got the valves done. Called them back about a year ago to see if they could do the pump and they are out of business. So I have no options left here. I know there is a reputable shop near where I'm headed to in WI I can take it to, just have to get it there. Considering I will be following a 26' Uhaul pulling a J$$p she won't be run hard, probably cruising at 65 the whole way.

 

[The patriot]

I went to school to be a mechanic in 1980, haven't done anything professionally in the field since.
I'd say if you ran an shop, you should be able to time it yourself.
JM.02

 

[BigPapa]

I don't know where you are but a quick search found West Texas Diesel Performance in San Angelo, TX, (325) 227-8513. The owners name is Cody.

I personally do not know him and have never dealt with his business so this is NOT an endorsement. I found several posts on cumminsforum.com giving him good reviews. I called them and they said they would have no problem setting the timing on your truck.

Also found good things said about Daniel Pierce at Power Source Diesel in Big Spring, TX, (325)650-0390.

 

[fest3er]

White smoke is raw, unburned fuel. Hazarding a guess, I'd say you're putting too much fuel in and/or too late. You can adjust the torque plate to change gross fueling. You can adjust the starwheel to change fueling until boost comes up. Check the boost line from the turbo to the AFC; if you don't get boost there, you'll never get full fueling and, thus, little boost.

You could have bad barrels/plungers (at the p-pump), leaky injectors, or the injection timing could simply be too retarded. Or, simply, far too much fuel which puts the fire out.

This forum (and old TDR issues) should have lots of info about checking and setting injection timing. *Very* shortly, you set the engine to #1 TDC using the timing pin, loosen the p-pump shaft from the gear, turn it until the plunger depth is right (7.2mm sound about right?), thoroughly degrease/de-oil the gear and shaft, and carefully tighten until you have the requisite torque on the nut. '96 was probably later timing; my '98's stock timing is 14.5°. I've never done it, but the concept is fairly straightforward.

 

[GAmes]

For what you pay a shop you could buy the tools and set it yourself. Every engine is a little different and every truck is driven differently also. In other words, the setting on my engine, with my driving style probably won't work on yours. I experimented with several settings before I settled on the timing I have now. I also fabbed up a tool based on a picture posted by Joe Donnelly to turn my pump shaft which makes timing a lot easier and faster.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1994/18-10-94a.htm

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/9...p-timing-chart-all-dodge-cummins-94-98-a.html

 

[superscout]

I don't know where you are but a quick search found West Texas Diesel Performance in San Angelo, TX, (325) 227-8513. The owners name is Cody.

I personally do not know him and have never dealt with his business so this is NOT an endorsement. I found several posts on cumminsforum.com giving him good reviews. I called them and they said they would have no problem setting the timing on your truck.

Also found good things said about Daniel Pierce at Power Source Diesel in Big Spring, TX, (325)650-0390.

We went through schedules last night and basically I'm just going to have to run it out and hope all goes well. I have 12 days left until I roll with 1 day of loading out and the rest packing up our house. Big Spring is about 1.5 hrs away and San Angelo is about 3 hrs away. I just don't have the time, the turbo was on back order for 2 months which is what messed everything up.

In the mean time I'll see if I can move my torque plate a bit and adjust the star wheel to see if things get any better so I can at least pull this move off.

I now know why I spent the $$ to join TDR and why I'll keep spending the $$ to stay a member. All you guys are great. I've learned alot and solved a number of issues by searching posts or posting the problem. The sheer amount of knowledge you guys have and share is just astounding!

 

[GAmes]

I just reread your post. Do you live in the town of West, just north of Waco?

 

[superscout]

I just reread your post. Do you live in the town of West, just north of Waco?

Odessa for 12 more days.

 

[GAmes]

OK, I got confused when you capitalized West. Too bad too, that is close enough to me to get your truck into my shop for a couple hours so I could teach you how to time a p-pump.

 

[superscout]

OK, I got confused when you capitalized West. Too bad too, that is close enough to me to get your truck into my shop for a couple hours so I could teach you how to time a p-pump.

I appreciate the thought!! We have been hunting for house/property for over a year now and had almost given up when the property we are closing on came up. We had quit packing and resigned ourselves to being stuck in the west TX oil fields so we are really behind the 8 ball for getting things finished and getting moved which throws a wrench in the work I need to do to the Ram. We planned on driving it to Denver and getting the pump set and replacing the A/C compressor this summer before this whole house thing blew up. After that hit we then planned on loading it up with boxes and pulling my car hauler loaded with the J$$p until I put it on the scales. 8080lbs. Once you add the tongue weight there isn't going to be many boxes put in the back of it. So crisis #2 started, my wife is now driving a 26' Uhaul with her J$$p behind it while I baby the Ram and trailer with as much on it as I can hoping my engine doesn't come undone on the way up there.

 

[BigPapa]

Well? How did you make it?

 

[superscout]

Well? How did you make it?

Made to Denver at midnight. Gotta get the timing set, scale said combined weight of 17,800, 9500 being on the truck and mpg averaged 12-13. 5 years ago in stock dress it felt like it had more giddayup and got 22 with the same basic load. I know I won't see 22 again because of the injectors but would like to see 18. Biggest change I saw was egt's, on a hill drop into 4th run up to 2500-2800 and they would hit 1200 then start dropping to 1000 as soon as I hit 10 lbs of boost with a max psi of 30. Next leg starts today, 1100 miles to Spooner, WI.

 

[superscout]

Sorry, cell signal here is spotty at best (1 bar of digital only, no internet) and just got sat internet a couple days ago. Last time I had her out power was seriously lacking, smoke and backfire are getting worse so she's parked for now. Called a shop about 30 miles south and they can't time it, called another local shop and he said at 235000 miles my P-pump is worn out and can't be timed. SO. Anyone know of a shop that can time it in NW WI near Spooner, Rice Lake or Hayward? I'm not finding anyone or anything.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your pump isn't worn out. I have 346,000 on mine. Its stock.
Send Games a email or personsal message ( pm). His p7100 has a lot of mileage on it.

 

[BigPapa]

I have a guy from another forum that is in your area. He has a lot of 12V experience and and the necessary tools. He said he could help you. PM me your number and I'll get it to him. Maybe you can work something out.

 

[Wayne M.]

Just caught this---- there has to be a ADS shop nearby that can help!