my 2002 7.3 with 370k just started to puff a small cloud of white smoke on start up. i realize this is normal during cold months but it is currently 102* in Texas. it will do it on the first start up of the day or if i start it immediately after shutting it off at full operating temps and when i do get a smell of the white cloud it has a oil smell but this only lasts while the cloud is dispersing all of that only lasts about 2-3 seconds no loss of power good boost pressure when driving no rough idle at all nothing acting any different other than the cloud and the quick smell of oil

 

Whitish smoke on start up is most likely valve seals, nothing to worry about. You will need a valve job when you rebuild it. Oil can also be from intake, either Turbo seal or if you have lots of blow by. With 360k it could be a combination from all of the above, a little oil here and a little oil from here and a little oil from over there.


Any new knocking noise?

 

No new knocking no visible blowby and doesn't blow the oil cap off the filler neck if I turn it upside down

 

A Cranking Compression Test with a Scope may identify the cylinder

A Running Compression Test will confirm the aforementioned and lead to specific Diagnosis.

I would "guess" with no anomalies starting or power loss its would be a seal or valve. Keep an eye on your oil in the event the Turbo has an issue.

If you've got to keep topping it off we'll have to look elsewhere.

 

i haven't checked the down pipe for oil from the turbo, ill keep an eye on oil levels on the stick. but it wasn't something that happened slowly it just wasn't there one day and was there the next.

 

A Running Compression Test will confirm the aforementioned and lead to specific Diagnosis.


How do you do a running compression test?


Back to the oil problem, I would replace/clean the CCV, if the crank can't vent the pressure has to go somewhere and that could be your problem. Also, if your oil level is to high, this can cause problems.

 

If it is the ccv would doing the ccv mod work?

 

A running compression test verifies the finding of a cranking compression test. Recovery time, damage, wear, etc.. Its used as ONE of many tests to find defective components. In the OP case if you believe a valve issue exists. A cranking compression test provides you with the OVERALL condition and can lead one down the incorrect path.

This is about the best YouTube Video where its used. Its comparing a KNOWN GOOD to a suspected bad. Very telling on overall cylinder condition on a Diesel if there is a problem.

 

one thing that throws me of is that it doesn't do it every time i start it

 

If you really want to know the issue, you're going to have to begin somewhere, right?

A Scanner capable of Monitoring PID
A Compression Test
Possibly a Video Scope
And some patients.

We can guess. But, that often is a shot in the dark as well.

What could be going on:

Head Gasket - Very Unlikely - Almost Bullet Proof

Valve Train - More Likely - Seats, guides, etc.

Cylinder and Components - Un Likely a Ring is damaged as you say its running "Good"

A cooling Sleeve has the beginning of a leak. But you would see almost continual smoke. So, very unlikely.

A leaking Injector: Likely. But identifiable.

I saw in a previous post you asked about the CCV Mod, But, in your OP you say the Cap Test passes. So I wouldn't think so.

Now, on the other hand, if your not using excessive oil, your fuel mileage is not suffering, with the mileage on the truck I wouldn't suggest you worry too much about it.

But, obviously if it worsens you may have to dig deeper possibly the heads machined with new guides, seats, valves, etc. or maybe a cylinder is suffering, an injector is suffering.

 

Its one of the smoothest running/driving 7.3s I've been in and I've been in enough to know what they should run like and fuel milage hasn't changed any oil level is still full I checked it again this morning and its been doing this for about
2 weeks now coolant level looks the same every time I check it

 

The pids I recently checked are
IPR -11.3%
ICP - 596~621
Load -35.7%
Those are the only ones i have programmed in to the reader that deal with engine management

 

Here is a list of Data List Monitoring Parameters for reference.:

Vehicle PWR while cranking: 10.5 VDC Minimum.

RPM 100 RPM Minimum while cranking 99/00 MY (0 - CMP Suspect)

KOER

ICP 500 PSI or 3.4 MPAM Minimum

ICPv (KOEO) Spec 0.20v - 0.30v

ICP Duty Cycle% Spec: 10%-12% at idle, engine at 140F or >

FUEL PW: 1 MS - 6 MS (<1 / >6 IDM Suspect)

*V-PWR - If indicating a low voltage condition, check battery voltage, charging system or power and ground circuits to the PCM. At < 10.5 the CMP will stop transmitting to the PCM

*DC% - Cranking NTE 20% / 65% is closed. (IPR Suspect)

2. ICP - A minimum of 500 PSI (3.4 mPa) is required before the injectors are enabled. No or low oil in the reservoir, system leakage, injector O-Rings, or faulty IPR could cause pressure loss.

Note: If no RPM signal is received, IPR duty cycle will default to 14%

3. FUEL PW - Even though a 1 to 6 mS FUEL PW is shown, it’s possible the
IDM did not receive the signal due to a CI or FDCS circuit fault or internal IDM failure.

Hope this helps,

 

Could injector sticktion be a possibility? And what about oil in the fuel like of a injector o ring going bad and was letting oil into the fuel return how would I test the fuel for oil?

 

Ok I've been ckecking my oil daily and it's starting to loose oil the dipstick shows about 1 cm lower everyday and it has developed a whine/whistle at idle that I can pinpoint but in my mind I cant see it being a turbo bearing going out because a seal in the turbo may have gone bad and is letting oil into the intake if so that would explain the smoke, loosing oil and new sound