I have a 94 powerstroke (found out that it isn't a 95 ) 280k miles on it ,don't think that is anything to do with it but I'm concerned about my truck smoking when it's cold or at a start up . The truck is strong and doesn't skip or anything but it smokes really bad till it warms up and there is no tuners or chips , it's just straight piped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Perhaps injectors? You might run some Diesel Kleen in a couple of tanks and see if it helps.

 

What color is the smoke?

 

It almost looks grey , you can see real good at night or when it's like 40 degrees out side

 

If you aren't losing coolant I would say you don't have anything to worry about. Just normal cold weather smoke.

 

Check your glow plugs. One or 2 will cause more haze than normal under start ups. But a light haze when the engine is cold, is normal for these engines

 

The only thing that leaks is the radiator so I can't do a coolant leak test till I get it replaced, and why glow plugs cause smoking ?

 

Because when the cylinders are not up to operating temps the fuel in not completely burned, which will cause it to smoke. The GPs raise that temp until the engine is warmed up. The GPs do NOT just turn on when starting, they will stay on for a good 5 min after the truck is running

 

i agree with brad, it sounds like you have a few weak or bad glow plugs.

 

One thing to remember is when its cold out you're going to notice it more just like you see your breath when its cold. My 97 with 240K does the same thing but is fine when its warm so I dont worry about it.

 

Ok well I it's a good thing I got new ones laying around , might as well do injector prongs while I'm at it . Thanks everyone for the help !

 

Injector prongs?

 

Here on Cape Cod it's been mild but we have had some cold overnights. On the cold mornings my truck starts fine but on initial start up it smokes and then after a minute or less it clears up. Warmer out not so much. It's got 200K.

 

So this is normal what if the smoke was blue like Brad says injectors?, I do remember that late firing injectors cause blue smoke due to mileage ?

 

I cant say I have ever heard late firing injectors