help engine miss and white smoke

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Aug 9, 2008 | 06:55 PM

usmc50bmgsniper92

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Junior User

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 54

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From: pa

help engine miss and white smoke

I just purchased a 1991 e-350 7.3 IDI with 498,000 miles for $300. the engine has a miss at idle(engine shakes) and white smoke, no water loss, or head gasket blown, seems to be raw gas smell from the exhaust, it is a dual exhaust and it makes a popping sound at idle and driving also and the one exhaust pipe has more pressure than the other, the one with more pressure is the one with the most smoke also. what is the problem? bad injectors, IP? also when your driving under a load there is sometimes a loud valvetrain knock/chatter. would like to keep this old van running and ordered new injectors, return line kit and glow plugs for it don't want to put a pile of money in it either

Aug 9, 2008 | 08:32 PM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

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From: Brentwood,CA

Try advancing the injector pump and tad. The pump may have moved overtime and became retarded. To advance the pump loosen the 3 pump bolts and rotate about 3 line widths towards the fuel filter. Report back

Aug 9, 2008 | 08:53 PM

dieselguy2008

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2008

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Could have injector (s) bad. You can get a good idea of which one it is if you can get your hands on a infared therm. gun. Point it at each exhaust port on the manifold. They should be pretty close to each other in temp. The one (s) that are cooler arent burning fuel and its going out as the white smoke. As far as the rattle..........with that many miles, I'd run overhead on it and see if that helps. Let us know what you find

Aug 10, 2008 | 12:53 AM

KJLYPW

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Powell River B.C.

Welcome to a great web site/ forum. My bet is get the new or rebuilt injectors in it, check the timing, all will be well. New injectors should get the timing close to back in line, timing mark on the top of the IP and the gear cover should be lined up to start out. With the cold advance on, you should have a slight preignition rattle when you accelerate, then when the cold advance cuts of the rattle will be gone. You can advance the timing by turning the IP towards the passanger side, usually about a half to one width of the scribe line will put you in the sweet spot. Sounds to me like you have all the right stuff to get fixed up ordered already, so get er done.

Aug 10, 2008 | 01:37 AM

1994diesel

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 576

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From: Central Coast CA

i had the same problem, i took out my injectors and had someone test them, usually they do this for free at an diesel injection shop. it turned out i had 6 outa 8 bad, so i replaced all 8. i had people on here tell me it was a timing problem, not to say there wrong, but it would suggest trouble shooting the injectors first.

Aug 10, 2008 | 02:02 PM

usmc50bmgsniper92

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 54

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From: pa

well i boiled it down to the source, i started the engine and cracked the injector lines one at a time and they all made the engine run worse except #2 injector, so you guys think this is the culprit? I ordered new injectors online but i think i'm going to advance auto and just order one injector and see if this solves it and then just change the rest when they get here,

Aug 10, 2008 | 04:41 PM

Dave Sponaugle

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 21,285

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From: Nutter Fort, WV

usmc50bmgsniper92,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI forum.

An injector that is not closing will cause the symptoms you describe.

Even the ones that did make a difference can be leaking and still firing.
The one that is not firing at all definitly has a problem though.

How long for delivery on the injectors you ordered?