I have an issue with cold weather smoking upon initial start up. I have talked to numerous Duramax builders and none seem to have a clear possible reason. What do you guys think about the causes for this problem? The smoke is white and only occurs in colder weather like 40's and lower. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Cold weather smoke
- Thread starter S Phinney
- Start date
I have had this issue since I built the engine. It is now on it's second winter and still does it. I completed the build in Feb. of this year and it was still cold then. I had the problem then and was thinking maybe it just needed some breaking in and some said it was over sized injectors that caused it but it does annoy the hell out of me. It does have a funny smell with this smoke.
Every diesel I have been around without a intake heater has done it. This is my first winter minus the heater and my pickup does it until it's warmed up.
Not enough heat in the air charge to light the fuel completely. Takes longer to come to temp if you have coated heads and pistons. Especially bad for you non-VVT folks. At least with mine, I can clamp down on the vanes when it is cold and retain some heat.
If you are only a couple minutes. Try increasing your glow plug cycle with EFI. It helps a little.
If you are only a couple minutes. Try increasing your glow plug cycle with EFI. It helps a little.
I've got the same problem...
Did the intake heaters on the LLY's even do anything? I never clued in but I had cut mine out. It also got worse when I switched to the HTT turbo.
I was certain it was my injectors although I haven't got around to any real testing yet.
Mine smokes like a savage, its embarrassing.
What part of the glow plug cycle to you increase... the time they stay on after the truck is running?
Did the intake heaters on the LLY's even do anything? I never clued in but I had cut mine out. It also got worse when I switched to the HTT turbo.
I was certain it was my injectors although I haven't got around to any real testing yet.
Mine smokes like a savage, its embarrassing.
What part of the glow plug cycle to you increase... the time they stay on after the truck is running?
How much should I increase the glow plug cycle then. I will be replacing my glow plug controller tomorrow anyway. I was thinking along those lines also but just haven't tried it yet.
LLYs dont have intake heaters. There is no real way to combat it if you have oversized injectors. Built engines usually have lower compression which doesnt help at all. Plugging in the block heater can help some as it warms the heads and block a bit.
LLYs don't have intake heaters. Maybe you're thinking of the EGR cooler?
I increased the stay on time after running.
Is it just possible that your timing is out of whack?
I agree on the intake temp also,Maybe you could completly rule this out by useing a heat gun or hairdryer and see if it helps...If it does perhaps you could install a intake heater for the colder months of the year
I agree on the intake temp also,Maybe you could completly rule this out by useing a heat gun or hairdryer and see if it helps...If it does perhaps you could install a intake heater for the colder months of the year
Exactly as Fingers said, not enough heat to burn off the whole fuel charge so smoke becomes present along with the funky smell, which oddly I think smells good:rofl: Ever see a tired piece of construction equipment or old truck fire up in the cold....Same story.
My old benz smokes like a freight train in the morning. Because its well worn and compression is low, so it has a hard time building heat. Was in the 20's this morning and the normal giant cloud that most vehicles have as steam..... the benz is all smoke! The truck white smokes too a bit in the cold with the bigger nozzles and no intake heater.
My old benz smokes like a freight train in the morning. Because its well worn and compression is low, so it has a hard time building heat. Was in the 20's this morning and the normal giant cloud that most vehicles have as steam..... the benz is all smoke! The truck white smokes too a bit in the cold with the bigger nozzles and no intake heater.
Sounds bout right. After the engine is warming up, coolant and oil is gettin warmer and the pistons, cylinder walls and the heads are getting some heat in them there is enough tempature to support more complete combustion and the smoke should taper off till its gone.
Worn or more modified engines will smoke longer due to less heat from lowered compression and or larger anoumts of fuel being harder to light and burn completly. If i put my cut delivery valves in my benz in the winter, i doubt it would even start because of the amount of fuel goin in would quench the combustion tempature. Alot of high powered diesel sled pullers like super stock tractors will smoke in the dead heat of summer while idling.