Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) too mutch smoke

[skorski]

Can anyone please explain to me why my 95 with 172,000 mi has become hard starting in the Am when the temp is around 10 to 20 above . This vehicle has always started on the second turn now it turns 6 to 12 timed before starting . After starting all I get is white smoke tuns of it so thick I can cut with a chain saw and it sounds like its running on 2 not 6 . The only thing I did was have it tuned by Diesel Dinamics last winter. Should I be using some type of fuel additive or is something else wrong

 

[illflem]

Sounds like your fuel return line is letting air in and needs replacing. It can suck air without leaking fuel.

 

[Cliffman]

Yep

Fuel return line. Same thing happend to my 94

 

[skorski]

If the return line is sucking air wouldent it smoke all the time ?? It runs great after the first 3 min.

 

[gitchesum]

Is this just a cold weather problem or does it do it all the time?



It might be the grid heaters not working if it only happens in the colder weather.

Does the "wait to start" light stay on for a long period time in the mornings or does it do right out after you turn the key on?

 

[skorski]

The heater light stayes on the normal lenth of time and this is just a cold weather problem aaaaaaaaai had it pluged in on the cold days last week and it was OK

 

[Cliffman]

I also fixed a hard to start problem by replacing the lift pump. It was hard to start in the morning and after sitting for an hour. Replaced lift pump and all was well again. Had white smoke also!! As a mater of fact, the more I think about it the more I'm sure it's your lift pump judging by the white smoke.

 

[JJW_ND]

Timing????

If when you get it started and it is really white smoking, try reving it up to 2500 or more. If it gets stumbly and runs ruff as the RPMs climb your timing is low. Timing at 14 or more should run real clean.



Some white smoke is normal and if the grid heaters are working fine it should clear up pretty fast.



jjw

ND

 

[C. Harlan]

Both times I went to Breckenrdge Colorado, I had a problem with it stumbling in the morning. . I had no access to a 110 plug, and starting in -10° to 15° may be a cause... after a few stumbles, the internal cylinder temps were finally hot enough to combust properly... Up till the time the air in the cylinders is warm enough, you will get stumbles, white smoke, and LOTS of it! I wish I could have gotten pics! The humanity! and also the looks of the other's faces at the hotel in the morning! But the question to your answer is that it is probably the cold air... think about it... . the grid heaters only warm that little bit of air around them till you get a consistent airflow across them. . they are disabled (Correct me if I am wrong) when you are cranking, leaving all the rest of the cold air to bypass the grids. That's my conclusion though, and someone correct me if I am wrong.



-Chris-

 

[Reddog1]

This may sound kind of silly, but I have found that it I press my accelerator about ¼ to 1/8 down, my rig starts on the first rev. If I do not press the accelerator, it requires from 3 to 6 revs.



Wayne

 

[skorski]

smoke

Originally posted by charlan

Both times I went to Breckenrdge Colorado, I had a problem with it stumbling in the morning. . I had no access to a 110 plug, and starting in -10° to 15° may be a cause... after a few stumbles, the internal cylinder temps were finally hot enough to combust properly... Up till the time the air in the cylinders is warm enough, you will get stumbles, white smoke, and LOTS of it! I wish I could have gotten pics! The humanity! and also the looks of the other's faces at the hotel in the morning! But the question to your answer is that it is probably the cold air... think about it... . the grid heaters only warm that little bit of air around them till you get a consistent airflow across them. . they are disabled (Correct me if I am wrong) when you are cranking, leaving all the rest of the cold air to bypass the grids. That's my conclusion though, and someone correct me if I am wrong.



-Chris-

Thanks for the input Chris I think you are right. I checked the batterys yesterday and found they were low on water . they are interstate 900 cold crank and the tester only showed 700 cranking amps . I think the grid heater was not able to draw enough power to properly heat the fuel. I had pluged it in the week before because I was hunting and wanted a quik start and it was fine .

 

[C. Harlan]

And Who says the younger crowd doesn't know what they are talking about?? I get alot of the "You kids dont know what y'all are talking about"... That's ok, I was pretty close to the right answer here... Not too shabby! I hope everything works out for ya!!



-Chris-

 

[Blakers]

Sounds like nothing at all wrong with your truck. Just like Charlan says - the air is so cold the cylinders can't support good combustion until it warms up a few minutes. Mine does the same thing and there is nothing wrong with it.



And yes it does help to push the throttle in a little when starting - saves on the starter too as it fires on the first turn.



Blake

 

[C. Harlan]

Stop it y'all!!! y'all are making me feel smart!!! that's wierd!!



-Chris-