White Smoke at Idle (Engine WARM, not Cold)

[Ross]

My brother's 2003 3500 has a smoking problem, and not the good kind... :{



It smokes white/grey at idle after engine has completely warmed up. This started this summer, and has progressively got worse. It's pretty bad now. Truck has about 125,000 miles.



I think it's an injector dribbling at idle. Could this be true? I've done searches here, and most of the "white smoke" issues (and related TSBs) are all related to cold start up. This is NOT the problem with this truck.



Truck runs real strong, and gets great mileage. He pulls a large 4-horse 4 Star trailer with 12 ft living quarters; about 16,000 pounds loaded up, and still gets 11. 0 mpg, running 72 mph. It's been a good truck!



How much are stock injectors? Anybody have a set?

 

[lethal injection]

my bet would be injector

 

[RobertP]

im going to agree that it is a stuck injector. we had one come to the dealership doing the same thing. he got the whole fuel system replaced.

 

[CATCRACKER]

there could be lots of reasons why but i told my buddy to stop driving the truck while it was doing that he did not listen and 2 weeks later scuffed piston walls that were beyond repair now he is buying a new short block

 

[Ross]

Well, it's been doing that for several months, but the white smoke is getting worse. No oil useage, great power, and great mileage. I told him to fix it as soon as possible, but until then, I told him not to let it idle; I figured that the unburned fuel from the dribble at idle would wash down the cylindar wall. Under load, though, the temps are high enough to burn up any leakage (within reason). Does this sound like good advice?



I agree though, he needs to fix it ASAP. What's the best source for stock 2003 injectors? How much more are hi-perf ones?

 

[Ross]

Does anybody know about the nature of injector failures on the 3rd gens? Does the electronic component fail, or could it be the nozzles? New nozzles aren't that expensive, but the entire injector assembly is some serious coin. . :{

 

[Ross]

TTT



Any information on failure mechanisms on 3rd gen injectors? Source for new ones????



Help.

 

[RobertP]

it is the injector body that fails on the third gens. so just replacing the nozzles will not fix the issue. i have had very good luck with my industrial injection injectors. im sure you will get many more opinions on this subject.



Robert

 

[Ross]

Please tell me more about the industrial injection injectors. We are not interested in any power gains; just want to stop the white smoke before any irreparable damage is done. Where can I get them, and is the price competitive? Are increased hp injectors the same price as stock?