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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:25 AM
  #1  
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-30 starts

So its -30 this morning.
My poor running 94 started and sat there idleing well but had huge clouds of smoke bellowing out of it.
Smoke was whitish with a blue tinge.
What would make it smoke that bad?
It seems to be worst in the cold weather.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:34 AM
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That's common with diesels. It's unburned fuel that makes the smoke so whitish. It goes away after a few minutes doesn't it?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:38 AM
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If its that cold and wasn't plugged in I'm impressed it even started. Its gonna smoke even if gp system is functioning properly. Don't worry about it unless it keeps doing it after the truck warms up than you may need injector o rings
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by CampSpringsJohn
That's common with diesels. It's unburned fuel that makes the smoke so whitish. It goes away after a few minutes doesn't it?
Nope its been 1/2 hour and its still doing it.
Theres nothing common about how this thing runs ,Ive been having issues with it.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:46 AM
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Need to check fluid levels. Anti-freeze and motor oil. One or the other may be getting into the combustion chambers. As wmiller asked, did you have it plugged it? In that extreme cold, it my contine to smoke for a while. The only way to really get these engines warmed up is to use them. Idling won't do it enough. Could the thermostat be stuck open? That would allow the engine to not warm up, and continue to smoke as well. Dose the heater work properly? If not, the thermostat could be the problem. Just throwing out possibilities.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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Whatever is wrong with it just gets worse when its cold.
Its been running poorly and smoking for a couple of months.
I just thought maybe someone might click on something seeing how it gets worse in the cold?
I bought some injector o-rings I havnt changed them yet , maybe that will help?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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Don't worry about it. If the truck was not plugged in its going to take some time for the combustion temps to increase especially at idle. There's also steam coming from the exhaust as well.

As far as injector o-rings, it would be hard to tell on a cold start. Especially at those temps.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 11:37 AM
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White smoke is normal for a cold start. -30 F or C and it started is really good.
The engine will never warm up sitting at idle. Prop a stick on the throttle (1500 RPM) and go have a coffee or go for a ride and get her hot. The white smoke should go away.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 03:43 PM
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At -30 the moisture in the exhaust is still going to look like white smoke while driving down the highway.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
At -30 the moisture in the exhaust is still going to look like white smoke while driving down the highway.
Its not just white , its blueish white and theres so much smoke you couldnt see the truck in the middle of it.
Im not kidding , its MAJOR smoke Im talking.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 11:32 PM
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I'm impressed it even started.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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Is that -30f or -30c?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 02:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Diesel nut
Is that -30f or -30c?
Nice observation.

Vinford do you have gauges? A pryometer reading give some idea of combustion temps. I know with my rig if my temps do not get above 300 after a start it will smoke for a very long time. Does it clear up once the engine is warm?

If your o-rings are on their way out, she should smoke at idle or maybe even have a miss. Does she bog down at high rpms?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Diesel nut
Is that -30f or -30c?
Either way it's still very cold.
-30F = -34C
-30C = -22F

Originally Posted by Vinford
Its not just white , its blueish white and theres so much smoke you couldnt see the truck in the middle of it.
Im not kidding , its MAJOR smoke Im talking.
Does it go away with after it gets fully heated?
The blue smoke is oil...getting past the piston rings or o-rings that haven't totally sealed (swelled) due to being so cold.

I'm still surprised a "poor running engine" started in sub-zero temps.
Mine, a good running engine, does the same thing. It's especially noticeable if it's not windy or I fire it up in the barn .
It bellows smoke (white w/a touch of blue) for a mile or two of driving in sub zero temps.
If I stop and let it idle, which happens a lot, the coolant temp drops way down and the smoke reappears but goes away pretty quickly after a couple hits on the go-pedal.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2009 | 07:05 AM
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I haven't even bothered to try mine. Mind you, it was -37 C this morning when I left for work. I'll re-register her when the temps warm up. I'm pretty sure mine wouldn't start even if I wanted it too. Plugged in is another story, but not plugged in..... Wow, just be glad she turned over....
 
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