Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) tune up? whats normal smoke?

[kwedberg]

I have a 96 auto with approximately 117k miles. Recently I noticed some black smoke, but I am wondering what is normal and excessive. I get some on start up. While crusing at 40mph, if I punch the gas a little, I get a short burst of black smoke out the pipe. . Is this normal?



I get 15mph in city, about 19 if all highway



. fuel filter and oil changed regularly

. checked air filter last night, the very top of filter is very dirty,

however the from approx 1/8" in to the bottom/ or top, it is

pretty clean

. checked for air leaks, all clamps are tight. I do not know other

ways to check for leaks



I have not done the timing or valve job as I am not looking forward to either. Are there any other items I should check or are the two above items about my only other areas?



Thanks for the help

 

[dsldoug]

Kwedberg



check your wastegate pod, and your fuel pressure



doug

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the smoking is recent and you haven't adjusted anything like the star wheel, first replace the air filter. Less likely, your injectors could be worn.

 

[Todd T]

thanks Joe,



like he said, its probably the airfilter just a little dirty. throw in a new one and let us know.



Todd

 

[JohnE]

Diesel engines need to breath, both in and out.

I noticed my catalytic converter used to load up and cause smoke when I stood on it. It would mostly happen after extended running such as a level highway cruise. I removed it for <em>testing</em> purposes and that smoke is gone.

Back in May the truck smoked lightly on a dyno run. This is a mostly stock truck, too. Determined that smoke was caused by slipped timing. It measured 12 degreees by the flow method.



Have you pressure tested the charge air (turbo) plumbing? You may have a small hard to find leak there.



You're on the correct path. Just keep going a little bit more and you should find the cause.



diesel on

-John

 

[kwedberg]

Thanks for all of the ideas. I will change my air filter and see what that does. I did do the tab repair on my KDP a few months ago, it may be possible that the timing is off as I did not have anything to accurately guage the harmonic balancer.