Diesel Smoke
 

I know that it is normal for a diesel engine to smoke, but what color should the smoke be? Normally my 1984 300SD produces black soot when under rapid acceleration, but recently I have noticed white smoke when it first starts up. Is this normal? It does not use oil between oil changes. jacob wissler jr http://www.jacobwissler.com

Hope this helps you.

White smoke:

Caused by unburned fuel passing through the engine. Some white smoke is normal on cold start-ups. Excessive white smoke could be an indication of inoperative glow plugs, loose injectors, low compression from worn rings or bent connecting rods, or coolant leak into the cylinders--head gasket or injector well sleeves.


Black smoke:

Caused by excessive fuel for the amount of air drawn into the cylinders. Some black smoke on hard accelerate or at higher altitudes is normal. Excessive black smoke could result from restricted intake or exhaust, inoperative leaking or weak turbo, intake hose(s) leaks, leaking or worn injectors, fuel return or supply restriction, stuck Exhaust Back Pressure Regulator valve or solenoid.


Blue or blue/white smoke:

Caused by insufficient fuel or oil consumption. Normal when engine is cold or idling for extended periods. Excessive smoke could be caused by air in the fuel, contaminated fuel, loose or plugged injectors, worn or leaking injector o-rings, thermostat stuck open, oil consumption, or plugged crankcase depression regulator valve.

Do a search on Diesel smoke color on tis site on the net and on other diesel sites and you should get some good reading concerning your question. Another diesel site that I personally frequent is www.thedieselstop.com . It's a Ford site, but there are alot of Good guys over there that are very knowledgeable and willing to help you. Also, the site has a big presents in Houston.

By-the-way. I'm on the south side of town. Where are you?

My Reply
 

I am not sure how to reply directly to you, so I will post my reply here. Thanks for all of the very good information. I live and work downtown.