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Prior to about a week ago this 94 7.3 turbo did not smoke at all at startup or any time. Then it started smoking a little only in the morning when cold for about ten seconds. A week later it is smoking at startup after sitting for a few hours. It misses when it smokes. When it smooths out it does not smoke. It will miss a few and smoke, then smooth out and not smoke. It does this alternatively for about 2 minutes until it smooths out completely and no smoke.
Filters? Injectors? Any similar conditions out there?
I would check the minor things first like fuel filters check the water seperator. check the return lines.
If that doesn't help then check the injectors.
At last it might be the injector pump going out but not sure .
Some one else might be able to help more
Have a look at the injectors after you have been running it for awhile, and after it has sat to the point where it usually smokes on startup, see if thr plastic caps with the return lines running between the injectors are wet. It sounds like there might be an air leak.
Could be the glow plug system. Try plugging in the block heater for a few hours before trying to start the engine. If it starts easier this way, it is the glow plug system ... either one or more glow plugs or the glow plug relay or the controller itself. I wouldnt crank on the starter too long a period ... they are sensitive to heavy use. If the plugging in doesnt help, then I would look for a fuel leak around the return line caps or even the lift pump weep hole. Hope this helps. Good luck and get back with the results. you also want to pay attention to the type of smoke when it does fire up. White smoke is either air in the fuel system or raw fuel, from weak glow plugs.
Well the symptoms just stopped. I had removed the cover on the air filter to look at it. (it is dirty) and removed the rubber line from the metal tube running from the bottom of the fuel filter to see if it was clogged or full or something else. Immeadiately after it still started rough. But the next morning it was the one puff of black, one puff of white then just perfect. I will be changing the fuel filter and air filter Saturday. How does the water seperator function and how would I drain water, if possible. This is my first deisel and I really should get a manual.
I am sure the self fix is temporary and I need to do more maintanence. Any links for routine PM?
Thanks for the help. I will try plugging in the heater and check the glow plugs as well.
Mine smokes pretty good on startup. Just went through the glow plug system twice and shes a lot better.
It was getting so bad. I would have to leave it run some nights in the middle of winter.