Blowing white smoke when cold
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 262
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Blowing white smoke when cold
I have a 2013 and I've noticed that when pulling out on the highway in the mornings that my truck blows a pretty good amount of white smoke for at least 2 miles. Is this normal for a non-deleted truck? My 6.0 did this when it had injector issues but it was straight-piped.
I hooked up autoenginuity to the truck and noticed that the DPF load percentage was at 77%. I thought the truck goes in to active regen at 2.47%? The truck has been down on power and 6th gear is virtually useless unless going down hill.
I hooked up autoenginuity to the truck and noticed that the DPF load percentage was at 77%. I thought the truck goes in to active regen at 2.47%? The truck has been down on power and 6th gear is virtually useless unless going down hill.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
Is it white smoke or just tail pipe steam?
White smoke typically equals coolant, which when cold typically means head gasket has gone...
Has your truck consumed any coolant? If so, definitely worth taking to the dealer.
White smoke typically equals coolant, which when cold typically means head gasket has gone...
Has your truck consumed any coolant? If so, definitely worth taking to the dealer.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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As the others said, if coolant is great then it's probably steam.
Mine creates quite a cloud behind me on cool but high moisture mornings and it's gone in a half mile since I have to jump on a 55 MPH highway.
If you want to test it, start it one morning and let it idle for about two minutes.
Then have someone keep the RPM's around 1,200 for another minute or so (unless you have high idle then turn that on).
That's about when the steam will really become strong and you'll be able to differentiate if it's steam or an actual issue.
Or drive it a few hundred yards and back (heats up more quickly) then have someone hold the RPMs.
I have 1,400 RPM high idle so after a minute or so on a cold morning the steam is pouring out of there in the driveway for at least a minute.
Mine creates quite a cloud behind me on cool but high moisture mornings and it's gone in a half mile since I have to jump on a 55 MPH highway.
If you want to test it, start it one morning and let it idle for about two minutes.
Then have someone keep the RPM's around 1,200 for another minute or so (unless you have high idle then turn that on).
That's about when the steam will really become strong and you'll be able to differentiate if it's steam or an actual issue.
Or drive it a few hundred yards and back (heats up more quickly) then have someone hold the RPMs.
I have 1,400 RPM high idle so after a minute or so on a cold morning the steam is pouring out of there in the driveway for at least a minute.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
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From: Louisiana
My truck definitely does the same thing, especially if I get on it in the morning. The white smoke you see is ASH coming out of the tailpipe. Think about it, the Filter does catch the black soot, but what about the actually AIR pressure? It still has to go somewhere. Hope this helps, also check your coolant like everybody said. Best of luck!
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From: So Cal
The smoke may be normal but this paragraph is not.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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True. There should not be a loss of power when close or during an active regeneration which begins at or after 2.66 usually.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: WY
A guy I work with bought a 2011 Chevy a couple years ago and it blew white smoke nonstop. Local dealer had it in the shop long time. GM finally bought it back if he would do another Duramax deal. He did and is all happy. He said it was something to do with DEF.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2006
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Update: The DPF is now at 25% load - inferred after a regen a few days ago. The DPF sensor voltage is at .50v if that means anything to the techs that may read this.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
Even here in San Diego I get steam out of the exhaust on a "cold", humid morning.
(I'm originally from Seattle, so my definition of cold is very different than the SoCal natives. Down here, temps in the 40's is considered cold.)
(I'm originally from Seattle, so my definition of cold is very different than the SoCal natives. Down here, temps in the 40's is considered cold.)