Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Excessive diesel smoke, hard start

[DClark]

I have a 98. 5 24V that I bought new. It has 176K on the clock. It has a recycled engine (see previous thread reply about "53" block). Last fall I was taking my boat down to put gas in it. I pulled up to an intersection and looked in my mirror and saw a big cloud of thick dark smoke, not white. I turned around and headed for home. It smoked at any speed. It has a very slight miss at idle but still reves up without any problem, still smokes. It starts hard now. It is like the fuel pressure in the system bleeds off when it sits for a while. It has good fuel pressure when running. Pressure gage shows 16+(FASS DDRP). If I do the TP trick and cycle it about 3 times it will start with some peddle pumping. Chip Fisher @ Blue Chip says VP44. I'm hoping it is something else. He is probably right. Just looking for another idea that is less expensive.

DClark

 

[JR]

Any codes showing? An engine miss could possibly be an injector miss and could also cause hard starts. Make absolutely sure you dont have any leaks in your fuel line as that could also cause a hard start. Even a very small leak will give you problems. When do these hard starts occur? After it's been sitting? Or after it's been running and warmed up, or both?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Got any leaks in your fuel lines? Maybe the fuel filter canister drain isn't sealing good? (had that happen before). Any chance you popped an intercooler boot or intake gasket?

Another thing that happens is lines rust back by the tank and causes them to suck air, but that's usually blue/white smoke. Does it haze at idle, does it smell rich?

 

[DClark]

Any codes showing? An engine miss could possibly be an injector miss and could also cause hard starts. Make absolutely sure you dont have any leaks in your fuel line as that could also cause a hard start. Even a very small leak will give you problems. When do these hard starts occur? After it's been sitting? Or after it's been running and warmed up, or both?

Hard starts happen after it has sat. If I restart it right away it will start no problem. I am familier with the leaky lines. Had that before. The 98. 5 does not show codes with 3 times key trick so I will have to get it hooked to a scanner.
DClark

 

[DClark]

Got any leaks in your fuel lines? Maybe the fuel filter canister drain isn't sealing good? (had that happen before). Any chance you popped an intercooler boot or intake gasket?

Another thing that happens is lines rust back by the tank and causes them to suck air, but that's usually blue/white smoke. Does it haze at idle, does it smell rich?

The smoke just looks like dark diesel smoke and it does it all the time. Will ck for leaks.
DClark

 

[JR]

If it's smoking all the time, your probably on the right track either with the VP or an injector. Is there even a check engine light on?

 

[DClark]

If it's smoking all the time, your probably on the right track either with the VP or an injector. Is there even a check engine light on?

No ck engine light. Hard start and smoke only indications of a problem.

DClark

 

[DClark]

Got any leaks in your fuel lines? Maybe the fuel filter canister drain isn't sealing good? (had that happen before). Any chance you popped an intercooler boot or intake gasket?

Another thing that happens is lines rust back by the tank and causes them to suck air, but that's usually blue/white smoke. Does it haze at idle, does it smell rich?

Just smells like diesel smoke. Not dark like a truck with fueling box thats over fueled. Just a continues cloud of smoke when running.

DClark

 

[JR]

Between a lack of a check engine light and a miss at idle I would almost hedge towards an injector but it's hard to say. What's throwing me (without looking at it) is the fact that it is hard to start after it sits for a while but will start right away when warm. Not sure on that one. If it were my truck I would probably pull the injectors and have them pop tested. Thats probably the cheapest route and in my mind a possibility. Theres no real way to test the vp other than replacing it with another one $$$$

You said you have a different engine in your truck, how many miles on the engine? How about the vp and injectors?

 

[Sticks]

Depending on the quality of the work the installer did, you might have a stuck injector.



ETA - Was this a direct drop in, long block (had to transfer over your VP, injectors, turbo, etc... ) or what?



If there is a miss at idle, start cracking loose the injector lines at the valve cover one at a time at idle and see if the miss gets worse or no change, tighten it back up, and move to the next one. Pay attention to the amount of fuel that is squirting out when you crack the lines - that could tell if there is a VP issue. DO NOT PUT YOUR HAND IN LINE OF THE FUEL SPRAY - RISK IF SKIN INJECTION! Use basic safety procedures doing this. Gloves, safety glasses... . you are going to get fuel everywhere.



When you find the one that makes little or no difference when you crack open the injector line, there's the suspect. I've taken injectors apart, cleaned them and had success with getting them to function OK again - at least long enough to get a replacement set ~ if that injector line had apparent lower fuel delivery then your problem is upstream (VP).



Severe lack of air could also cause constant black smoke (turbo, air cleaner, intercooler boot ~ 1 of 4). Hows the power. Truck still strong, or weak now with the smoke?



Based on the symptoms you are providing, I would lean towards a stuck injector. Need to get this issue fixed. You will cause cylinder wash, potential hydrolock, and fuel in the oil which is not real good for the bearings.

 

[DClark]

This engine had about 200K. The old one had 175K. It was the block and head only. Used all my old parts, VP, injectors, ECU etc. It seems to have good power. I have not been driving it. I only start it occasionally to keep it running until I decide to work on it $$$. I hope that it is an injector. I will be ck'g for leaks and air system. Thanks for the ideas.
DClark

 

[DClark]

One additional thing about starting after sitting for a time. I have to cycle the TP about three times to get up the pressure and fuel supply. It has a FASS DDRP and pressure gage shows 18 PSI, ck'd last night. I did put a clear plastic fuel line on it just before the fuel filter. I did not see any air in the fuel. I did at one time have a line leak on the suction side of the DDRP. It didn't maintain pressure sucking air.
DClark