Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) light grey smoke?

[NBowlin]

the exhaust that rolls out of my truck always starts out this light grey color. the smoke that comes out when you just whop the throttle is dark but if you lug her out and get it rolling its light. should it not be darker? what would cause it to be that color as opposed to a darker grey to black? its 370's, laser cuts, and a 0 plate 2/3 forward. i am not water injected, nor am i losing any coolant at all, nor is there an oil burning issue. i am at a loss. thanks

 

[A-bomb]

My experience with 370 injectors at cold and warm up idle are a little smokey until the engine warms up. Also look for cycling on your volt meter gauge after starting to verify that the air heater is working. If it is not cycling the air heater is not working and this is the main cause of your smoke. Also, you are probably delivering more fuel than the stock turbine can keep up with. That is why it is a little dark when you accelerate. Turn your star wheel in to reduce the amount of fuel. This may also eliminate some smoking. Other than that make sure you check your oil frequently to make sure it is not buring oil. I doubt very seriously you have an oil leak problem, as these engines are extremely reliable in the rings and valve guide department if you have not ran the motor above 4000 rpm and 50 psi of boost.

 

[NBowlin]

i understand why it smokes when its cold she always fires right up.

i am talking about driving it, and when you are trying to make it smoke or you lug it a bit. i know the star wheel will adjust the bottom end fueling, and i am not trying to get rid of it. also i run a usb1 for a turbo. the motor is a fresh short block or less than 15k miles anyways. she has seen some 4k plus rpms and up to 75# of boost. what i am talking about is like when you take off or roll out in 3rd gear and pour the coals to her, only mine is a light grey color rather than a dark color. no coolant or oil usage at all. i am not trying to git rid of the smoke just trying to figure out why it is so light in color.

 

[RBratby]

was it dark before? if it is grey that means you have enough boost to burn the fuel that is being injected. i have a 95 with a #0 plate,370's,181dv's and 16* timing. when my trans goes into lock up at 50 and i push the throttle to the the floor the smoke is only dark for a few seconds and then it is more of a grey haze.

 

[NBowlin]

so this is more a matter of my turbo moving enough air to keep up with the fuel? its a solid billowing of smoke. it rolls out a light grey color. it changed after the laser cuts. cause i mean the pyro isnt saying that there is a shortage of fuel at all. it is a constant screaming reminder to get a set of twins in the truck. hm, i was just sorta concerned cause all i ever see out of the bigger stronger running trucks is that dark almost black smoke. mine is the same color as theirs is when they feed the water to the motor. the only thing is is that i dont have a water git up in my truck.



i am just searching for some reasurance that the light grey colored smoke rolling out of my exhaust isnt a sign of something bad.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

My '98 (215hp pump) is like that. It'll make black when you load it down at low RPM's... but once you're up on boost... it's gray.



My '94 is sorta like that... but is pushing more fuel... so it's mostly all black, all the time.



Bluish tint could = fuel delivery (air, etc. ) or timing... I don't have that with either truck... except when they're really cold.



Matt

 

[NBowlin]

well i decided to end the wondering and i called haiselys and mark at piers.



haisleys says:

that is either the overflow valve and/or the lift pump.

now i can vise grip off past the over flow to see if it is that. is there a backwoods remedy for that as a hold over, cause parts take FOREVER to get here. i dont have a fuel pressure gauge, but it looks like i will be needed to look into one.



mark at piers says:

it sounds like i slipped my timing cause of the loss of top end, but it could also be in conjunction with an overflow valve. now my timing was at 19ish and i asked him if i should just go with 20. he told me no go with 18. any thoughts on that?



also are there any options as far as lift pumps go? like more volume? is it worth it to run larger lines? at this point i am neck deep in the bomb crater, and i have the twins in the works, so i am having to look harder for more things for me to that i can afford. thanks for your help

 

[1dslram]

My truck boils black even with twins. I am presently working on getting it to gray instead of black under heavy power. Don't advance your timing unless you want to replace head gaskets regularly. My sig says 23 but it is at 19* now. I would guess you have a bad lift pump, but check your overflow valve, and streach the spring to just over . 500".

Bruce