Still smoking

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I still can't seem to find out what's causing my truck to smoke off-color; It's not totally white, it looks more of a gray/tan. It doesn't do it all the time, as in every day. It don't smoke when it isn't supposed to,like at idle or anything, just when it normally smokes black. Which it still does. My mileage is still 18-20, oil looks okay,hard to tell if it uses any, I have a couple little leaks anyway.

Drained the fuel filter. Did the cold start-radiator cap off test to see if the headgasket is really blowed, no bubbles. Which it could still be blowed! Still runs great, doesn't look like any boost/EGT change that I can tell. I'm going to get my grandpa's infrared thermometer, and check the exhaust manifold to see if all 6 cyl. are running the same temp. Any ideas? Sorry if this was long.





Thanks much, Steve

 

[formula]

Do you run fuel conditioner?

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I aint been on here in a few days.

formula- yes I run fuel conditioner, also put in a cleaner this last tank.

At school we checked the oil and the coolant, seems to be no contamination,

Tomorrow I will check the temps on the cylinders, and take the downpipe loose to see if the turbo seals are gone. Nobody seems to think it is the rings or anything, because it doesn't smoke at idle, coldest it's been so far- 40deg or so Intake Heaters even came on the other day. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[JStoll]

hey there I have a bad exhaust side seal in my turbo & the common symptom is let the thing idle for like 10 minutes than take off when you start to make boost you get the friggin james bond oil cloud (mabey less if your seal isent as bad as mine)

the other thing you will probably see is some oil where the drain tube bolts to the bearing housing leaking between the turbine housing & the bearing housing

good luck with it

JAK

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Thanks, JStoll



I took the downpipe loose today, but there wasn't any oil in there, but I hadn't run It but 5 minutes earlier in the day, haven't had time to check the temps yet.



One thing we found was that there is the prsence of fuel on the block around the lift pump! I read in the service manual that if the diaphragm in the lift pump goes out, that fuel can leak out of the weep hole? Could this be the problem with the lift pump?





Thanks, Steve

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Yes it could although how it would translate into an "off color" smoke I haven't thought thru yet... . but a nackered lift pump can cause all sorts of things, not to mention injection pump cavitation and high end throttle... . and that, is not good for the inj. pump.



bob.

 

[JStoll]

it is actualy inlikley you would see oil with the DP off for example on my car with the garret turbo I definatly had an exhust side seal leaking badly I pulled the DP after running for like 1/2 hour nothing when I finaly got the new turbine & compressor wheels & bearings & pulled it apart it was obviously the problem

all it takes is a couple of drops inside the turbine housing I a lil heat to make the big smoke

where Id look is more at the symptom I described erlyer & preasance of oil between the bearing & turbine housings

oh yeah & check for excessive play too

take care

PS not trying to beat this to death but as a technician in my work I cant pass up a possible cause till Im sure its not the problem

BW may be rite too especialy if you see oil or fuel around the pump this is a telltale sign of a failing lift pump

JAK

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Thanks guys,



Seems to me it would be a good idea to replace the lift pump, How hard/expensive is it?



looks like my truck wanted to trash alot of stuff at one time



(starting new thread on lift pump)





Thanks, Steve

 

[dpuckett]

Steve,



Mine blows all kinds of smoke, from a grey/ brownish haze like you described under moderate acceleration or heavy aceleration at higher rpm, to a block the sun black cloud on a 3rd gear start. Check the turbo- it's not real hard to take off and take apart- and for any other leaks where you can think of them. If all checks out, blame it on pump and/or injectors. Good excuse for a set of PODs and a hot rod pump, though that's more than most of our pocket books can handle at once. But if it was burning oil in the exhaust, I'd think it would be blue. At least that's what my last 93 did when a turbo drain bolt backed out and leaked out 7 qts :--) while going down the highway. BIG cloud of blue smoke. I could be wrong, though; it has happened a time or two this week. If it runs, you're ahead of a 6. 0 owner.



Daniel

 

[JLEONARD]

I get some light "off color" smoke/haze at times similar to the way Daniel has described it. Sometimes it has just a hint of blue to it, especially when I nail it after slowing to an almost stop and cornering at the same time... usually only when cold though.

Maybe it's a non-intercooled phenomena because the run from the turbo is short and the air mix doesn't get a chance to condense out in the intercooler system????

Maybe we have bad turbo seals??

Either way I'm not about to get exited about it at this point.

Jay

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Thanks for the help



I'm still uncertain about it, but it doesn't use alot of oil, if any.

We'll just have to wait and see.









Steve