Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) lots of blue white smoke

[MBechler]

I have been having the same issue since I bought the vehicle. I thought it was only because it was 0 degrees outside before. But now I live in Virginia and its been 70 and sunny and when I first start the truck it blows blue or white smoke not obnoxiously but enough to see in my side view mirror and puffs it lightly for about 5-7 minutes then it goes away. Also if I rev my truck out (its a manual) to like 2700 rpm (stock Gov Springs) it will blow blue white smoke as its being limited by the gov springs. Like enough that you would think I lugged the motor and sooted someone out but its white and blue and only when I have my foot to the floor and it wont rev anymore in a certain gear. Truck has 297,000 miles may have the original injectors, also not sure if it could be the timing and also noticed some moisture near the lift pump. The cold start in the morning smoke changes almost daily sometimes its worse than other days which makes me think that its air in the lines as well. Any help would be appreciated.



Thanks in advance,

Madison



Trucks is a 1995 Dodge Ram 3500 5 speed with a #10 plate

 

[GOlsen]

Blue smoke is normally oil. Could be valve seals. When your truck sits overnight, if the seals drip a little oil into the cylinders, it'll create blue smoke on startup.

 

[rkressg]

Probably worn valve guides letting the oil seep into the engine when it sits. How many miles on the truck? If it goes away within a few min after startup, I would not worry about it.

 

[MBechler]

It goes away once its warm at idle and almost at any rpms except when I leave it in 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th gear and am sitting at the P7100 limiter which is about 2650 on my truck. If I just hold it at 2650 it will smoke white and blue. If I sit at 2600 rpms it doesnt smoke at all. only when its fully revved out as far as the pump will take it.

 

[JHastings]

I had awful white a blue smoke when my truck was cold. Turned out to be timing. Also, it used to cough and sputter horribly.


Jamie

 

[MBechler]

Mine will cough and sputter when its cold. Then when I row through some gears for 2 minutes it goes away as well as the smoke. Timing has never been adjusted. Whats a good safe number for timing with Marine 370s and . 022 Delivery Valves with a stock headgasket?

 

[Fueltech61]

Does it get a little hard to start after it's been sitting over the weekend? The startup smoke sounds more like injector tips worn out, or air getting into the fuel supply on the suction side.
I work on these things for a living.....and when these symptoms occurs, I check the lift pump for adequate pressure and the fuel pre-heater for an air leak. Most common leaking point is on the preheater main electrical plug on the front side. Pull the plug.....don't be surprised if the end of the plug is a little wet with diesel. The electrical pins crack out and start to seep. You most likely won't see a fuel leak...since it's on the suction only side. But air is 1000 times thinner than fuel, so while the weather seal holds the fuel in, it won't keep the air from sneaking past. Imagine trying to suck a soda pop through a straw with a small crack in it.....you get soda, but you have to suck harder...and you also get air with your soda. I you go to replace preheater, do yourself a favor and replace the piston feedpump, the large elbow hose and the 3/8" grommet on the inlet line at the same time. Do it once, do it right.
If you are NOT having starting issues, just the smoking issue, then pop in a new set of injectors. I would almost guarantee this will cure the smoke.

John

 

[RustyJC]

Did you notice that the post you replied to was from April 2009? After 6-1/2 years, I hope he's solved the problem.

Rusty

 

[HCannon]

Thanks John, I was having the same problem so I changed out the lift pump and everything went to working as it should. Now I understand what was happening. A small air leak can cause all kinds of problems? When we changed out the pump we changed out the lines, so they could have been the problem.

Harvey