Diagnosing white smoke

[BigPapa]

The key fills the keyway in the gear. If not, it would pop up into the keyway leaving a very small portion to hold the gear in place.

 

[Gunner_1]

I will post up a picture of the replacement keyway I got from Cummins tonight when I get back in the garage, the new one is not very tall and I can see it not sticking up much if there is one in my truck.

 

[Gunner_1]

Yeah it’s only 3/16” tall. So I can see it maybe being in there, not sticking up much. I’m surprised they aren’t taller to better grab the gear

 

[Topzide]

The shorter key might be the "weak" point in the system. It allows it to "slip or shear" to avoid pump or drive train damage. Similar to a shear bolt in a snow-thrower.

 

[BigPapa]

It’s big enough. Been working for millions of miles on thousands of trucks. I’ve never heard of one shearing.

 

[Gunner_1]

Well I’ve determined that I have the keyway installed and it’s not a timing issue causing the white smoke.
It’s a constant white smoke that doesn’t clear up, burns your eyes fuel smell. So what else could be the cause? Bad valve seals?

 

[BigPapa]

White burn-your-eyes white smoke is raw fuel. Did you ever post what the spray angle on your new injectors is?

Stock is 6 X .009" at 145* with the VCO tip. That's what your pistons are designed for.

 

[Gunner_1]

White burn-your-eyes white smoke is raw fuel. Did you ever post what the spray angle on your new injectors is?

My new injectors are 155, that’s all that dynamite diesel offers, but my surely original Bosch injectors that I replaced them with smoked the same

 

[BigPapa]

Stock is 6 X .009" at 145* with the VCO tip. That's what your pistons are designed for.

It's been too long so I can't remember, but the washer thickness and timing will affect the haze as well.

 

[Gunner_1]

Stock is 6 X .009" at 145* with the VCO tip. That's what your pistons are designed for.

It's been too long so I can't remember, but the washer thickness and timing will affect the haze as well.

The dynamite diesel new injectors come with new washers for the injectors so I used them. I have advanced the timing 1/8” by rotating the pump to the head, and now I have rotated the pump all of the way to the head. Is there any other way to adjust the timing without jumping a tooth? Right now the pump is on the tooth “e” lined up with the marking on the camshaft gear. It seems no matter how I adjust the timing it doesn’t affect the smoke, it’s like a constant fog of white smoke, not a haze

 

[Gunner_1]

How can I check for cracks or holes in fuel supply line, if it’s not leaking fuel, but sucking air?

 

[Gunner_1]

I have checked all lines for cracks and tightened all fittings, still smokes white. After checking everything to this point, I am thinking the valve seals are bad? Is there a way to tell without pulling the valve springs?

 

[BigPapa]

If the valve stem seals were leaking, you’d have blue smoke and exhaust would smell like oil burning, not raw fuel burning your eyes.

I don’t know what else to tell you. I’m not that familiar with the 1st Gen engines. Maybe someone with more knowledge will step up. You might try the Cummins Forum, Diesel Truck Resource, or mopar1973man.com.

 

[petersonj]

@Gunner_1 , I know you said that it is not coolant, but are you positive? Did you check coolant level inside the radiator, or just the overflow reservoir? Was the radiator full to the brim? If not, then there is a coolant leak.

- John

 

[Gunner_1]

I took a video trying to show the white smoke, although it doesn’t look bad on video it is a lot worse in person, and I have to pull the truck out of the garage because even with the doors and windows open it quickly makes your eyes burn
https://youtube.com/shorts/zpP6CASt6ZU?si=jrCG9FzCGaiKC6JC

https://youtube.com/shorts/NA7t8rNVmKc?si=epeMcsbURQlJzIHI

 

[Gunner_1]

@Gunner_1 , I know you said that it is not coolant, but are you positive? Did you check coolant level inside the radiator, or just the overflow reservoir? Was the radiator full to the brim? If not, then there is a coolant leak.

- John

I replaced the radiator with a 4 core aluminum radiator last winter and have only driven it about 1,000 miles since then. It hasn’t leaked any, it runs fine, never gets hot or overheats, or trouble starting when it’s warm.
I just checked the radiator and it’s full to the top. The reservoir may be down about an inch but that could’ve been from when I changed the radiator. I thought it is smoking white but I guess maybe it could be blue? I don’t know if you can tell by the video? Could the head gasket be cracked causing it to burn oil? Or could the valve seals be bad causing it to burn oil? I just checked the oil and added a quart. I have changed the oil more than I have driven it. I’ve only put on about 5,000 miles in the last 4 years because I have been replacing parts and working on it a lot trying to make it reliable. In that time I have changed the oil 4 times, so it could be using some oil

 

[BigPapa]

White smoke that burns your eyes is fuel, believe me. If you’re SURE timing is correct, I’d suggest having the injectors tested and check compression.

 

[Gunner_1]

I have re-bled the fuel lines cracking open at each injector and they all shot out fuel like a hose, except for #2, it more like trickled out fuel.

 

[Gunner_1]

I have re-bled the fuel lines cracking open at each injector and they all shot out fuel like a hose, except for #2, it more like trickled out fuel.

I replaced the injectors with the original ones after cleaning them, purged air ( they all shot out fuel like a hose ) and no change in white smoke. I’m at a loss and not sure what else to check or replace

 

[NIsaacs]

Have you ever checked the actual timing via the dial indicator tool? Your data plate will give you the spec.

I am beginning to think your pump is bad.

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