white/ blueish/black smoke while on cruise....

[lepper]

Some help would be very much appreciated!

Driving to my inlaws on sunday, and after about 4 hours on the road, I noticed almost a studder while on cruise. It would only do it if the truck was semi-coasting, where it needed just a bit of pedal to keep the speed.

It would also do it when driving with your foot. The best example, Driving down the hill to the final destination, if I gave the pedal any pressure it would pour out the white smoke, but if I pushed it, it would stop. As well, if pushing on the pedal to accelerate during these weird studders, it would give a puff of blueish/black (hard to tell with dirty mirrors and driving) and then go away.

There is no loss of power, The oil level is good, no burnt or loss of oil, the coolant level is constant (no loss).

Some things I've noticed (well think cause it doesn't go on long trips very often) The EGT's seem to run a little higher, but that could just be me and I have the feeling i'm getting worse fuel economy. But again, that could be me, since the last trip I took it on, I just idled down the road in overdrive in 4x4 on the snow.

Is it possible, that the truck is running to cold? I noticed the temp gauge really never made it above the o in normal. and I live where it seldom gets below 50. But it was 15-35 while driving?

Anything else to check? Thanks in advance. I'm tryin to figure this out, as I need to travel on christmas day back to the other families house about 4 hours away.

Thanks!
Dave

[cdnsarguy]

Diesel engine coolant temperature at the top of the radiator where hose attaches after high rpm or under load condition for 20 minutes should be (195-237*F) 91-114*C nice time to have a temperature reading point and shoot tool.

Do the fan test on my photo link ....find both halves they are separated.

Running cold could be part of the problem, how old is the fuel filter and IP. When was the last time you drained the filter for possible water. The water in fuel light should come on if the sensor is hooked up and working. Are you running any fuel additive.... Stanadyne, Power Service, Hayes diesel treat.....

[lepper]

The fuel filter is probably 2+ years old (if not older), and doesn't have many miles on it, as the truck only gets around 3k miles a year. The IP is the original, which is old and have been thinking I need to start considering a rebuild/replacement.

I've been faithfully running power service in the truck. I'm heading out the door to do the fan test you recommend. Would a bad fan cause the problems?


** edit, Just checked water in the filter and none was found.
Thanks!
Dave

[woodman55]

Originally Posted by lepper

The fuel filter is probably 2+ years old (if not older), and doesn't have many miles on it, as the truck only gets around 3k miles a year. The IP is the original, which is old and have been thinking I need to start considering a rebuild/replacement.

I've been faithfully running power service in the truck. I'm heading out the door to do the fan test you recommend. Would a bad fan cause the problems?


** edit, Just checked water in the filter and none was found.
Thanks!
Dave

Start with the fuel filter if it's 2 yrs old. It's cheap and a logical place to start.

[lepper]

Originally Posted by woodman55

Start with the fuel filter if it's 2 yrs old. It's cheap and a logical place to start.

Soo.. no water in the filter.

The fan/clutch seems to work fine. The biggest issue is actually gettin the truck up to temperature for it to come on :P

the guage stays on the O, of normal unless other effort is taken to heat it up. (cardboard in the front)

I would think if it was the fuel filter, that other issues would show, but I'll start with that, as said, it's the cheap way to go at first.

What makes this so dang hard, is that it doesn't always do it. only after I've been on the freeway for a good 1.5 hours....

[cdnsarguy]

The fan should be locked up on the start cold..... it takes 2000+ RPM to unlock it. Once unlocked it will lock/release as required due to rad heat and cooling.

Check your Fuel cap next time see if there is considerable vacuum in the tank selected. It's funny you mention this, mine has had weird things almost similar for years. Mine seems to loose power over time, but if I stop for 5 minutes it becomes a jack rabbit again. Not all the time just when I least expect it doing highway speeds.

Fuel cap Vacuum and Pressure

Vacuum ..... 0.05 psi
Pressure......1.6 psi

[Snotzalot]

Originally Posted by woodman55

Start with the fuel filter if it's 2 yrs old. It's cheap and a logical place to start.

Ford's service recommendation for the fuel filter is 60,000 miles. A two year old filter should be Ok.

[lepper]

How do you recommend I check the fuel caps? I opened them and didn't notice any release or sound that would indicate pressure or a vacuum.

I'll re-check the fan in the morning, the truck is still pretty warm from my earlier endeavors.

dave

[Plywood]

You know that sounds just exactly like what my truck did after I had it a short while.

I started a thread and replaced just about everything, which was fine since I wanted to for the most part anyway.

Eventually I did take the IP in for a rebuild, what I was told was that there was a thrust or wavy spring washer in the IP for the governor that had broke. Apparently making the governor go up and down very quickly.

The truck would surge around 2500 rpm and smoke in the same circumstances your is.

I replaced things one at a time so I would know what did it, and the IP rebuild was what fixed it.

[lepper]

Now that you mention it, It was/is almost always around 2500 rpm's this happens.... Looks like I may do this, hopefully she'll make it home.

Anyway to remove the governor and try it?

dave

[Plywood]

The governor is inside the IP.
You might be able to see it if you pull off the top cover, but I really don't know.
There is a trick to putting the cover back on without making the engine go boom, but I don't know what it is exactly.
Just make sure if you have your IP rebuilt you don't walk into an auto parts store and pay $1200.00
Find a good IP shop and walk in with yours and get yours back, shouldn't have to pay more than $450.00, mine cost $385.00.

[oilcanharry]

The white smoke is probably steam which signifies water in the fuel tank due to condensation.

As the vehicle remains idle for lengthy periods of time, diesel fuel tends to break-down. Water drops to the bottom of the tank.

Steam happens when this water is drawn into the hot combustion chamber. Stalling occurs. The clue this is happening: when vehicle is on a specific incline (only when 'driving downhill'), water rushes into intake and gets sucked-in to combustion chamber.

My recommendation is to get hold of Shellbourne Fuels liquid EPA-listed Catalyst which uses the hydrogen and oxygen molecules found in the fuel tank (water) during the combustion process. (ie: it removes any water vapour that exists in the fuel tank.) Dose: 1-OZ treats 20-gallons.

As you also are aware, diesel fuel has had a few modifications these past few years: animal fat is the most recent adddition. What happens within the fuel tank is the fuel separates - especially if it is allowed to sit. Mould, bacteria, fungus start to grow in the layer between water (which has sunk to the bottom) and fuel. Not good!

The Shellbourne Fuels' diesel and gasoline catalysts have an aggressive cleaner, and provide increased lubricity for a more efficient engine performance etc...

Sorry this response is getting to you so late - however, you now have a solution for your future travels.

Merry Christmas!

[Plywood]

Umm, yeah, cept there was no water in the filter.

Originally Posted by oilcanharry

Steam happens when this water is drawn into the hot combustion chamber. Stalling occurs. The clue this is happening: when vehicle is on a specific incline (only when 'driving downhill'), water rushes into intake and gets sucked-in to combustion chamber.

Are we talking about diesels here, that statement dosen't really make sense even for a gas rig.

[lepper]

Stopped by a shop today and explained the symptoms, they seem to think it is the ip as well. So, i'm hoping ot make it home before she goes.


Anyone buy one of the pumps off ebay? I'm looking at one of those, because they are about half the price.

Dave

[Plywood]

Let us know where you're at, maybe someone can recommend a shop.