Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blue Smoke on Startup after VP Change

[Rebel_Horseman]

I just had my VP44 changed after it failed. I've noticed that after starting the truck cold, I get a thick puff of black smoke then some bluish smoke. If I tap the throttle I get another puff of black smoke with what seems to be some bluish smoke mixed in. What gives? Is this a normal thing or not? I know most of the Powerstrokes I've seen, especially with ones over 100k miles puff blue smoke on startup. What is the root cause(s) of blue smoke on startup?



I think I'm paranoid. First my VP, now my clutch is on the way out. I can't afford another failure.



Reb [><]

 

[BillGotthelf]

You might get some black smoke on startup from more fuel (new VP) but you also might have a little oil burning off in the cylinders on startup to. Relax unless it gets worse or doesn't clear up.

 

[Stamey]

I wonder if it could be that the VP44 wasn't timed correctly when installed. I have read in my VP44 install instructions where you may need an offset key for installation, but I do not remember the details. It doesn't seem like it would matter since the timing is electronically controlled.



Chris

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

This morning I went to crank my truck up and got a lot of blue smoke. The air tems were cool, around the mid 40's. The truck started like usual but there was a large puff of bluish-white smoke initially. Idling there was a steady amount of similar colored smoke coming out of the pipe. Next, I tapped the fuel pedal and noticed a small puff of black smoke followed a second later by a puff of blue smoke about the same size. After a couple of times this all went away.



Subsequent starts during the day, whether cold or hot, resulted in a very small puff of bluish smoke mixed with black smoke.



WTF?!?!



Brian [><]

 

[Ncostello]

Hopefully whoever installed it used the correct keyway for that particular pump. Each pump has a number stamped into it (043 for example) and that same number must appear on the keyway or the timing will be off. Different keys should not be used from what I've seen. Otherwise if it didn't do this before it sure shouldn't now with a new VP.



Did you unhook the grid heaters for installation... and were they hooked back up properly. I'd check to make sure they were working. Usually a diesel will puff white if it dont have glows or intake heater.



The black smoke is totally normal. Mine will "puff" you out if your standing by the tailpipe when I start up. I like to get folks as they are walking by in a parking lot between their car and my truck. I always get mean looks

 

[Fireman Dave]

Check this thread out from back a ways. Mine has been blowing the blue puff when cold for 4 years now with no problems. Cold cylinder temps were the suggestion when I asked around about it in 2000. I always wondered why it seemed to do this kind of all of a sudden, but like I said - it runs great and doesn't smoke when it's warm.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19426

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

I only wish I knew how the pump was timend and inatalled. I got boned big time on it because the joker went down on me in New Orleans and I had to pay a shop for the repair. Unfortunately this shop does work on mostly high end customers car's and a few trucks, but not a whole lot of diesels. I never noticed the smoke before, but then again I've never really looked. This morning I cranked it and temps were higher and there was only a slight puff of the blue smoke. I know the grids are heating because I can see the voltmeter move after crankup.



I have a feeling it's probably just cold cylinder temps and I'm being paranoid. Least ways, a man can hope can't he?