Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Smokey Start up

[RShafer]

My 97 3500 starts great when plugged in but when its cold outside after starting and revup to around 2000 RPM there is a buttload of white smoke coming out of the exhaust and a little shake and shimmy. Thought it might be the timing but had that checked when I did the Dowel Pin. Any thoughts?

 

[Matthug]

Does it have stock injectors? When I went to marine injectors (300's) the smoke on cold startup got a lot worse and it doesn't seem to run on all 6 until a few moments go by if it's really cold out. Basically the engine just needs to build a little heat in the combustion chamber before it starts to burn properly, so just warm your truck up until the intake heater stops going on and then drive it. What I do is just put a little throttle on it and go to 1000 RPM's. If I rev high enough it will start to pulse and smoke badly white smoke as well, I believe this is normal for very cold running especially with aftermarket injectors.

 

[cojhl2]

I guess I must sound like a broken record. I never start driving until the engine has normalized. That means the temp gauge has started moving.



Just becasue the engine is running smooth doenst mean lubrication is proper,, cause the oil is still cold.



Also,, when you expect the engine to produce power there is a small place in the engine (cylinders) where the temp goes to 1000 deg and the block and pistons are still frigid (as compared to fire temp)



My belief is you start it at idle, close exhaust brake if you have one, and go back in house for coffee.

 

[elandon1201]

If you wait till the te,p gauge normallizes you must let it warm up for about 2 hrs. Mine doesnt even register after 45 min.

 

[Matthug]

By the time my intake heater stops my temp gauge has moved.

 

[Matthug]

If you wait till the te,p gauge normallizes you must let it warm up for about 2 hrs. Mine doesnt even register after 45 min.

Just sitting there idling my exhaust temps don't move my 100 degree gauge! How is the engine supposed to come above that? Thats why I rev it to 1000 RPM, temps go up to 200-300 and the water temp gauge moves by the time the intake heater comes off.

 

[obert]

Sounds like a classic case of "my 6BTA injection pump gear has slipped a bit on the pump shaft and now the timing is slightly late".

 

[Signal73]

Do your grid heaters cycle? Check to see if your alternator needle swings back and fourth on the first start of the day when its sitting idling.

 

[Champane Flight]

Used to it..

My 95 has done this since new, all older diesels do this. Incomplete combustion is the cause. I can smoke out a couple of miles if I take my rpm up to two grand on a cold start. However I hold my rpm down until I gain temp, and do a intial warmup until grid heater shuts down.