When the weather is in the single digits, and I forget to plug in the engine heater, my F250 is hard to start. Twice now in the last month, when I try and start it, smoke (diesel) actually came through the dash vent and into the cab. What the heck would cause that? I lifted up the hood both times and could not locate where the smoke is coming from, except it seems like the passenger side around the firewall.

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As bad as this sounds, the truck starts and runs fine after it starts.

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Dale

 

The clamp on the down (or up) pipe(s) must not be seated good. When it warms it expands and seals.

 

Diesels are new to me, how do I go about fixing something like that? Is hard to do? And is it costly?

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Thanks

 

how old is the truck?? I'd go see a muffler shop and have your exhaust inspected

 

It is a 1999 F250 CC with 142,000 miles on it. I’ve been under the truck and the exhaust looks great. Still shiny. Maybe I can just tighten up the down pipe flange? I’ll take a look this weekend.

 

"The clamp on the down (or up) pipe(s) must not be seated good. When it warms it expands and seals"

I agree with Mech2161.
You can tighten exhaust clamps yourself. You might want to drop some WD40 or similar on the nuts/bolts first and work it around so you can get an effective tightening. If the exhaust is leaking badly through a hole, you should be able to hear it and warming up shouldn't affect it's coming or going.

 

The down pipe is were the exhaust exits the turbo. Tap around the clamp with a hammer and try to tighten it. The up pipes are were the exhaust enters the turbo. Look for a black film were there might be a leak.

 

Thanks for the information guys, this is a great site, with good people, and great information.

Dale