Let me start by saying i traded a 2000 Chevy Dually 3500 4 door long bed 4x4 with 164,000 miles on it, for 2 7.3 trucks. One is a 2000 ext cab 5 speed 4x4 with 215,000 and the other is an 01 4 door auto 4x4. The 4 door had 401,000 when i got it, it now has 408,000 and climbing. It staring to smoke a blue gray in the morings, and when i set an idel it smokes a blue sometimes. I was told i needed to replace my glow plugs and injectors. Does this sound right to you guys? these are my first diesel ever. So all the help i can get will be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the site..I just signed up myself... You will find lots great information and people here..
Unfortunately I'm not one with it just yet..I will say you will be very happy you made the trade. Good luck in finding your answer, I'm sure someone will be along soon to help.

 

Thanks man. Yea i signed up a week or so ago but just not posted. I hope someone chimes in soon

 

My guess with that many miles is you could be looking at a few things. Glow plugs only help with starting the truck and like the first 5 mins of running. They are simply there to heat up the cylinder and have nothing to do with the actual combustion event. If you are getting smoke when you first start it in the morning, then glow plugs and their relay probably need replacing. Biggest thing is to change your oil first and foremost. These trucks use Oil pressure to fire the injectors, so clean oil is the most important thing in them.

As for your blue smoke (Haze) it could be a few different things. Tired injectors are one, but due to the cost id do a couple other things first. Personally I think you would be best served by replacing your valve springs and seals. These are usually overlooked, however they do wear out. I noticed a difference at 160xxx miles, I cant imagine you wouldnt notice a difference at 400+. You have a few options, do some searching on here and ask around. If you want feel free to pm me. If it is lazy injectors, start doing your research and pick your poison.

Either way you are in the right place to get help. These guys are a generally knowledgeable and helpful group.

Oh and congrats on a great trade!!

 

The advice you received is not far off. Sounds like glow plugs and injector ORINGS. However, with 400k miles those injectors are mighty tired, and if I was going to replace the orings, I would replace the injectors when I'm there.

 

Trey the reason i was leaning towards injectors themselves is mostly because of the age. If they've never been out, then I definitely agree, O rings

 

Didnt mean to second guess you. When I referenced the 'advice given', I meant who ever the OP mentioned in the first post. Your information was spot on as well

 

What does the blue smoke smell like? Unburned diesel kind of has a blue haze is why I am asking. We all know what burning oil smells like.

 

It woud be interesting to know what has been done to the truck at 400k. I would think the injectors would have been worked on at some point, although you never know...Like other people have said, I would start with your glow plugs and glow plug relay since they are so easy to check. This has been covered a lot...check out some of the links on this page for testing procedures https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ech-links.html
Something a lot of people remove is the air intake heater, which is supposed to help prevent blue smoking/smoking during cold weather. You should check that system while you're at it. The AIH, air intake heater, relay is right infront of the GPR, glow plug relay, and the AIH itself is right on the front of the spider, where the intercooler pipes come together above the engine. One more easy thing to check is the fuel bowl heater inside the fuel bowl under the fuel filter.
While it is most likely either the glow plugs or the injectors/injector orings, the above things are the easiest to check. Look them over nd then go from there. I need to trouble shoot my injectors as well but I dont have or have access to AE.
Hope this helps

 

Are both trucks bone stock? I would agree with 400k + miles those injectors are pretty worn out and with some fresh ones it would make a world of difference.

Btw: welcome to FTE. These guys on here know their stuff and will help you save money over the stealership.

 

ok let me say thanks for the replys. It smokes pretty good when i first start it in the mornings and its only in the mid 30's. I keep it plugged in at night and at work. Even after it has warmed up it still smokes while at a stop light. It smells like diesel for sure. I've just changed the oil about 1.5 weeks ago. And yes as far as i know both trucks are stock.

 

Time for new orings on your injectors at the very least. Just that will make a world of difference but i think you might have a dribbler or two. (Weak injectors not atomizing fuel but drooling it into the cylinder)
Since you will have the valve covers off anyway... gander at the oil spouts for a spell while its running and look for no spitters before you pull the injectors. This might point you in the right direction if you dont want to replace all 8 at once... that gets expensive.

 

So bad o-rings on rings on the injectors will make it smoke like its doing? Ok what will cause a no spitter? I'm looking at getting my injectors from Casserly Stage 1 Single Shot Injectors.

Riffraff Diesel: Stage 1 Single Shot Injectors

 

I found out the supposely all that has been done to this truck was a new transmission and rearend.

 

Stage 1's form Riffraff will do fine. You also need a tuner to run them. It will feel like a new truck when done. Don't forget the Glow plugs and relay, you shouldn't need to plug it in at only 30 degree's.

Chet