Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Low Power and White Smoke

[ebrooker]

I'm a pretty new diesel owner. 2 months ago I bought a 95 dodge diesel. I've been driving it for 2 months now and it seems to not have the power I was expecting. It will hardly keep 70 on the interstate and has to be going downhill to get over 75. Today when I started it and put it into drive it died. So I got out of the truck and manually turned the throttle and white to blueish white smoke would come out of the exhaust. Any ideas on what it could be.



Thanks

Eric

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

What is your idle rpm? What is your rpm at 70 when no power? Was it cold this morning when you got the white smoke? Do you know if the grid heaters are working?

 

[ebrooker]

It was about 45 degrees and as far as the rpm's go it was about 2200 at 70mph. I'm kind of new so I don't know about the grid heater. I don't know where it is or how to see if it is working.

 

[Stixx]

I'm guessing its an Auto, does it smoke while running down the highway?



It could be many things

air leak

pump outta wack

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

If your idle speed is less than 850 rpm while in drive, the idle speed is too low and will kill the engine when you shift into drive from neutral.



When the temperature is cool (45 degrees or less), are you waiting for the "wait to start" light to go out before starting the engine? If you are waiting for the light to go out, do you see the voltage drop down and come back up when the light goes out? Failure to operate the grid heaters in cool weather will give white smoke for a while until the combustion chambers heat up a bit.

 

[ebrooker]

I don't notice it doing it when going down the highway. I do wait for the wait to start light to go out and in the morning the lights will dim periodically untill it warms up a bit. The low power thing really bothers me. I plan on pulling a 28 foot airstream next spring and summer, and the truck can barely pull itself. I live in frankfort ky and am looking for a good and reasonable diesel mechanic. Any around?

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Had your timing checked/set lately? Just a thought, Larry

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

2200 rpm at 70 sounds about right for an auto 4. 11 gears in OD. Sounds like the timing might have slipped. If you heve it checked, have them set it at 15. 5 degrees.

 

[drice]

My thought would be timing also I knwo mine is outta wack (retarted) and if it is cool out side then is spitters and sputs like no other but when it warms up is is better. are there any mods oranything done to the truck that you know of??



I don't knwo about out there but it is real hard to find someone to advance your timing down here in dallas.

 

[ebrooker]

Is timing something that can be done by me or should I find someone to do it.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Have you changed the fuel & air cleaner? Might be something just that simple. Also clean the strainer in the bottom of the lift pump. If the engine is thoroughly warmed up, like just in off the highway, put it in park or nuetral, and floor the accelerator. If it stubles, misses, and won't hit the redline, it's probably timing. It should run right up to the max, run smooth, with a light haze at the exhaust.

 

[Fish]

ebroker,

My power was off and the rpms were low and they found that some of my turbo hoses were leaking and tightened them up. The results were amazing.

Warren

 

[jared1]

I had a 95 auto it did the same thing, was real weak on hills ect. it also smoked alot on cold mornings. I had my valve lash adjusted and the power differance was like day and night, the timing , air and fuel filters should also be checked