Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) UhOh - loud knock and white smoke this morning...

[R-N-R]

Parked the truck after a short drive last night without any problem. This morning at startup (68*) the engine was knocking and white smoke was exiting the tail pipe. It almost sounds like the 3 cyl idle "feature". I swapped the ECM mid last week, that is the only recent change. Oil is good, gauges are normal. It was running bad enough that I parked the truck today. The knock did dissipate somewhat. It started out sounding like the bottom end and after a few minutes and several restarts it sounded more like it was coming from the top end.



Any ideas on where to start checking? I can swap the ECM back tonight, but I am concerned that something internal has gone south... .



TIA,

BIll

 

[RacinDuallie]

What was the fuel psi? Mine sounded like a helicopter when the VP went on vacation.

 

[R-N-R]

FP is a solid 17psi post-filter/pre-VP. I also check for codes this morning and there were no erroneous codes displayed.

 

[Bob Wagner]

sounds like the fuel pump.

 

[R-N-R]

as in the VP44 fuel pump

 

[Bob Wagner]

do you have a stethoscope? white smoke on idle is not a good sign. scope the sound

 

[R-N-R]

I can probably find a piece of wood dowling... . poor man's stethoscope!

 

[Bob Wagner]

got wood yet? :-laf

 

[AKAMAC]

Bad injector? Crack the lines and see if knock dissipates. Messy but easy.

Be careful doing it!

Mike

PS. . How fast can you change an ECM now????

 

[DieselMinded]

FROM THE GREAT DiS

White smoke usually occurs when there is not enough temperature to burn the fuel. The unburned fuel particles are then exhausted usually by a rich fuel smell. In cold weather it is not uncommon to get white smoke until engine temperature builds up. One cause of white smoke on engine start up could be faulty glow plugs or glow plug system. Low engine cranking speed can also create an excessive amount of white smoke.



If the problem persists after the engine is up to operating temperature several other things should be checked. A faulty injector can cause white smoke. Timing is often a factor when white smoke is excessive. Low engine compression can cause the problem and the injection pump can also have problems that result in white smoke. Air in the fuel system can also result in white smoke.

Good Luck Bill



DM

 

[DieselMinded]

OFF 3D But I dont have a sorce...

White or Blue Smoke



CAUSE: Dirty air cleaner or restricted air inlet

SOLUTION: Replace air cleaner element and clean air passage.



CAUSE: Viscosity of oil bath air cleaner too high.

SOLUTION: Service air cleaner in accordance with engine manufactures service manual.



CAUSE: Plugged engine oil filter.

SOLUTION: Service oil filter in accordance with engine manufacturers service manual.



CAUSE: Restricted duct between the air cleaner and turbocharger compressor.

SOLUTION: Remove restriction or replace damaged parts as necessary.



CAUSE: Seal leakage at compressor end of turbocharger.

SOLUTION: See #6 problem below.



CAUSE: Engine Malfunction (rings, pistons, valves, etc. )

SOLUTION: Refer to the engine manufacturers service manual.



CAUSE: Seal leakage at turbine end of turbocharger.

SOLUTION: See #7 problem below.

And Again



GoodLuck

 

[Bob Wagner]

Chad, you are a good man

 

[Huff N Puff]

Bad injector? Crack the lines and see if knock dissipates. Messy but easy.

Be careful doing it!

Mike

PS. . How fast can you change an ECM now????

Do this injector test It is the easiest thing to test,and the probability is really good it is an injector problem.

 

[R-N-R]

Got wood last night! Actually FMcClaren stopped over with a homemade stethoscope, and a piece of dowling. I could not hear any significant differences checking front to back on the valve cover or block. The top cover of the VP however sounded like someone was inside and wanted to get out! Also, there was a difference between the fuel lines out the back of the VP, but hard to tell on that one.



Lost my internet connection last night, wish I had seen the injector test. I swapped out the injectors back to my factory stock sticks but the problem did not change. btw Mike, I think I could win a contest on ECM speed changes :-laf



I noticed a change in how the truck sounded last Friday, but assumed it was an exhaust band clamp that I have been having problems with. Ironically, the engine sound changed after a startup as opposed to while driving, same as yesterday morning. And the sound was nothing near what is going on now. But I wonder if something started to go then.



Right now it sounds like it is running on 4 or 5 cylinders.



I spoke with Brady at Industrial Injection last night. You know, I have talked with him numerous times this year, each and every time I have learned something new.



Thinking that something was wrong in the injectors or valve train, but both checkout okay last night. I checked the push rods, but did not get to checking valve adjustment. It seems like a prolem there would surface while driving more so than on startup.



I am leaning back towards the VP, I'll have to check on Brady's sense of humor today...



Unfortunately, I don't expect to make it to Scheid's this weekend :{



I sure appreciate the help guys, any other suggestions??

 

[RacinDuallie]

Just curious- How many miles on that HR-VP-44 ?:{ :{

The elect. board may have been going on you slowly..... heating up and saying goodnite... - taking the pump with it.....



When I get back at it with my engine build( when time allows me to ) I am thinking of installing a small electric fan to blow on the VP for a set time frame after shut-down to help this over heated board situation... ... .

 

[R-N-R]

Less than 10k, Just installed it the end of this past March.



Ever heard of one go bad without codes and loud knocking?



I agree, a small fan on the VP seems like a really good idea.

 

[RacinDuallie]

R-N-R,

I'm sorry for your loss... ...


With all the problems discovered with the VP-44 pump- nothing surprises me anymore when failures are reported here. And just think of all the non-members' pumps that we don't hear about.....


Yes- on the fan, that's what I'm planning on with mine..... You've heard of the Turbo Timer right? Why not a VP Timer? Shut the truck down, step out, walk away as you hear the comforting whirr of a cooling fan blowing on the VP pump so the elec. board doesn't roast with the heated air contained with-in the engine compartment while truck is not in motion, and then shut-down in timed increments... ... . why not?

Shame we can't relocate the electric board off of that hot pump... .....

 

[R-N-R]

Well tonight I will be checking each injector and checking temps and listening to each exhaust port, checking the VP44 gear nut, and inspecting the exhaust side of the turbo for oil... .



Melted Piston? VP? ????

 

[Bob Wagner]

sleep is overrated anyway :-laf seriously, if you anything just ask

 

[R-N-R]

LOL, yes I have been told that I will have plenty of time to sleep when I am dead!



Your support has been invaluable Bob, I truely appreciate everything you have helped me with this year.



Bob - YGPM