Archived White Smoke and the Preheater

[mfeeney]

Turned cold this morning, about 37F. Truck started fine but had a little white smoke and the preheater was cycling... pretty much normal.



After letting it warm up for 5 minutes or so I left for work, but after driving several miles (temp guage almost to normal) I stopped at a red light and the white smoke was tremendous!!! Cleared up after taking off, but happened again the next time I had to stop.



Then I got to work and it was still putting alot of white smoke out and I got out to smell the smoke and it quit!!! Also preheater quit cycling at the same time.



Thinking it must be a temp sensor somewhere giving bad readings.



Anyone have this happen to them?



2001 24v 2500 SuperChip; Fassed

 

[ScottLewis]

Sounds a little similar to my exerience a year or so ago. I'd look for a problem w/ the IAT first. On my 12 valve it's in the intake manifold, to the rear of the heater ***'y.



My '06 manual shows it in the intake air cleaner box.



I don't know about the '02 and don't have that manual.



Dan

 

[Alan Reagan]

The 01/02 is to the rear of the fuel filter. I used a large spark plug wrench to remove mine when I had an 01. Look to the rear of the fuel filter on the side of the engine. You'll see the connector.



The IAT on those models does need occasional cleaning. Use denatured alcohoal and a cotton swab and carefully clean the thermistor. Make sure the thermistor bulb is not touching the sides of the mount after you finish cleaning.



The thermistor may be bad. Also, the grid heater is supposed to turn off when the truck reaches 15 mph or warms to a specific temp. The grids should not have continued to cycle at highway speed.



However, if you had been driving and still getting white smoke you may have had an injector leaking a little (dripping). My tractor did that last year. I left it running one cold morning while I went inside. When I came out, the tractor was pouring white smoke. I throttled up and it continued the white smoke, only worse.



I revved it up a few times and the smoke stopped. I believe one of the injectors was sticking and revving the engine cleared it up.

 

[mfeeney]

First, thanks for the help with the IAT.



Unfortunately it was not that simple. Checked the engine oil and found it was lower than usual consumption (less than a quart between changes) got to looking around, then pulled the intake boot off the turbo and found the bearings were shot.



Looking for a new turbo today



Thanks

mrfeeney

 

[Alan Reagan]

You will need to clean the IAT once you replace the turbo. It will probably have oil on it and that will cause it to not work properly. It's about a 15 minute job.



Sorry about the turbo.