My 2003 with 76k miles recently has begun to smoke excessively at idle. Grey in color and smells strongly of unburnt diesel. Any ideas? Injectors going? Runs great, no hard starting or any other syptoms yet. Dealer is a major trip from where I live, so I am looking for ideas before making it an appointment. Any help would be appreciated.

You've lost one or more of your injectors. Nail GM now because it's not cheap to do on your own. I lost mine at 95,000 3 of 8, GM did replace all 8. My motor did have a miss after the injectors were replaced which lead to replacing the cylinder head. Total waranty bill $6800.

Thanks. Anyone have any ideas of how long it might be before it gets worse? Looks like I need the rig for the next three weekends or so, so I'd like to wait a month or so before bringing it in. Course, I don't want to be stranded someplace either. Man I hope I don't get any flack on the warranty. My Ford started smoking at idle about a year ago, and the end result of that was a long fight I don't want to go through again. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley11.gif

Not sure? How's your luck be running lately?. My injector problems started with noise, rough idle, gray smoke, diesel smell, low power and finally with fuel in the crank--to the point of overfilling and dumping out of the crank vent. The fuel in crank happened while I was waiting on the dealer to get the injectors after the first diag. What a mess---now very little frame coating left.


I first noticed the rough idle and noise problems the first week of August. Had it in the dealer the last week of Aug. The truck is at the dealer right now getting all 8 injectors replaced and should get it back at the end of the week. Be prepared for more than a few calls to GM and document everything, or maybe you will be fortunate and find a dealer that will go to bat for you.


I think the total time from first noticing the problem...until I parked it was approx 6 weeks and 1500 miles. Hope you have better luck than I did.


The only other suggestion I might offer.....Check the oil daily !


Really not sure if any of this is helpful, but Good luck

I'd get it fixed pronto but Thats just me.

Take it to the dealer. Maybe (if it is injectors) you can get a
set of injectors on order. Be put on a list. Continue to
drive truck until a real problems occurs and then park it.



Smoke could also be a bad batch of fuel? I filled up at a no name place a few times and noticed smoking.

what smell is that of unburnt fuel???ive got no problems im jsut curious...w/my truck the exhuast almost always smells like blacktop/tar, im werid and personally like the smell....however my dads 97 and uncles 02 p-stroke dont really smell of anything...

Thanks guys, guess I'd better figure a way to get it in soon. I don't drive it every day, it mostly gets used on weekends. What kind of waits are on injectors these days? Remember reading about problems with long waits a few weeks ago on here. Polar Bear, If you have the smoke, you'll know it. Its quite obvious. Smells like a cold morning diesel engine startup, except its not cold. Smoke is bad enough to be embarrassing when stuck at a long stoplight. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley19.gif Still runs perfectly though.

Injector wait time?,,,dealer ordered mine Aug 26th, received them last Thursday Oct 7th, but from what I understand the 4-6 week shipping time has been shortened recently with increased production(?) Never know--dealer may have them in stock by now? I would recommend getting it to the dealer ASAP either way. Keep in mind that if it is an injector problem...to get all 8 replaced they have to meet certain criteria listed on this TSB, if not they will want to nickle & dime you one at a time. If you haven't seen it; here it is.


Embarrasing smoke ? yeah you'll know....At the stoplight all the cars next to you start rolling up the windows? that and the ocassional dirty looks are a dead give away.


Good luck


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5737&PN (http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5737&PN=1) =1

St_Pinetree,


I have noticed a similar situation recently with mine as well. Slight smoke at idle and diesel exhaust smell. Started with last fill up of fuel(about 470 miles ago). I was not going succumbed to failing injectors just yet. Trying to get through tank full of fuel(I have TFI) so I am at still over half. I am curious if they are making junk fuel. I fill at the same places when traveling and have never had any issues and my fuel filters are spotless and water free.


I will keep you posted. Please let me know what the dealer diagnosis is when you take it in.


I do have a question about this. If you take it in with this current condition are they able to quickly tell that you have injector issues?


Edited by: Duramax Dually

Duramax Dually,


I was of the same mindset as you, but I've run through a couple tanks and my smoke has gotten worse. I'm quite certain something is wrong. I understand that they can check the balance rates with the computer reader, so I don't think it will take a long time to diagnose. I'm going to see if I can get a loaner and bring it in next week. After my Ford disaster a year ago, this is kind of a bummer. Can't a guy buy a reliable pickup for almost $40k? Hopefully GM won't drop the ball on me like Furd did. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/throw up.gif

St_Pinetree,


AMEN..You would think these companies could build a reliable truck... However I am also realistic and understand things are mechanical and with time, will break. Nothing is bullet proof. Warranty's do not stoppage breakeage, they instill confidence in consumers. I am still 100% satisfied with my truck. It has been a stellar truck and done an awful lot for me and towed alot of weight in adverse conditions. Even if the injectors do fail I will get it fixed and keep on going. Everything else on the truck is perfect and it just does not make sense to dump a vehicle to buy up in hopes that this eliminates the problem. Pretty expensive way to get it fixed. Since GM has put out the TSB I am not overly concerned other than the delay in getting them. The service department at Billing Chevrolet is awesome and has some very good tech's.


So I will finish up this tank and see what shakes out. Right now the truck is running excellent, gas mileage is right on mark, power still incredible. We will see if this degrades in the next couple of weeks.


Jeff

Is it possible to add TOO MUCH fuel additive? Cause smoking? If anyone has added it.

Max Owner,


I use FPPF Total Power. Now I am not scientific about the mix so there are times I could be over a bit. That is a good question, but I would think it would dilute to a non damaging level. I would guess it is more your loss to put to much.. I add about 1/4 container to every 40-45 gallons of fuel.


Jeff

I hear you. I love this truck. I'm not planning on getting rid of it. But I'm not wealthy, this truck costs me a lot of money and will for several years to come. I hope GM does the right thing with the 03's like they did with the 01 and 02 models and extends the injector warranty. I just can't afford to dump thousands into repairs when the warranty expires. I think they will. I need a truck that will last me long enough to get it paid for before dumping lots of cash into it.

Is it possible to add TOO MUCH fuel additive? Cause smoking? If anyone has added it.


Yes. Some makers of additives say not to use more than 4x dose due to potential damage. I have read that "injector coking" can occur if lubricity additives are used in too high a dose.





- jeff

Interesting...... Thanx.