All this talk about white smoke coming out of the Dmax's has me worried. My Dmax is completely stock as far as the engine/exhaust goes and just lately since it's gotten colder here in the mornings I've been getting a lot of white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. This only happens after the trucks been sitting overnight and so it's cold when it does this. Is this normal just like for gassers when they're cold they blow white smoke? Or is it something I need to worry about?

I have a Chevy, I believe the smoke you're having is probably normal, although I am no expert. I have noticed when I let my truck idle for some time and then get in to drive is smokes white. Don't know why, and worries me. Haven't been able to take it to dealer yet. Going to a dealer is like going to a damn doctor.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley7.gif. If I find anything out I will post.

I wonder if it has something to do with the EGR systemhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif Where are the experts.....

I think you are seeing steam. Moisture condenses in the exhaust system when the truck cools off over night. On a cool morning, the steam is easier to see. When the pipes get a little bit of heat, then the water evaporates before it comes out of the exhaust pipe.

I've had it happen to me once or twice as well, but only when it is cold. Definitely not steam or condensation.



Dennis

baimpala - why do you say it's not steam?

I understand that the diesels don't produce water like the gassers do which was making me think it's not steam. But of course hoping maybe water is collecting in the system somehow which is the cause of this happen. Maybe I should bring it into the dealer if it keeps this up in the morning.

Well I just talked to one of my relatives who worked about 40 years in the service dept. at the dealer I bought my truck at and he told me as long as it (smoke/steam/whatever we're calling it) goes away after it warms up a bit then it should be fine. He also told me to checj my coolant level just in case it's coolant leaking into the engine.

I don't think it's steam because it doesn't just go away after it comes
out of the exhaust. It is white smoke that lingers in the air for
longer than the normal steam you might see from condensation. . .
definitely different than that. Steam I'd say is more
translucent, this stuff isn't like that if it is the same as what mine
did.



Dennis

Hmm, well I'll keep an eye on it if it does it again.

There is a TSB for this exact problem. I think it is a #PIP3129. Just take it to any dealer and tell them you are having a white smoke problem and they will take can of it for you. It is just a computer re-flash that needs to be done.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


DAN

Mine has started puffing a little white @ 2500 when the pilot inj shuts off. I notice it in the city, stoplight to stoplight grand prix just before, or at a shift. I've noticed as mine has broken in it revs easier also. I don't even think I'm rodding it, though I hear the pilot shutoff just before shift points around town. Punks in imports for three meals a day...well four for four last week anyway.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


It's usually even for the first 100 ft. then....CYA!


Pisses 'em right off. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley18.gif

In the morning, could it be normal for the cylinders to pass a lot of unspent fuel until the head gets a little warm?

I"m hoping so because my truck is still doing it for about 1/8 of a mile just on the way up the hill in the morning. Seems to only do it when it's below about 45 degrees outside.

I"m hoping so because my truck is still doing it for about 1/8 of a mile just on the way up the hill in the morning. Seems to only do it when it's below about 45 degrees outside.A question for you, the emissions form your tailpipe in the mornings when it’s cold do they dissipate very rapidly like steam from a boiling pot does or does this emission linger. If this emission dissipates rapidly then it’s likely you do not have a problem. I spent several years in very cold climates with Diesel engines, and it was normal for all of our engines to steam when the temperature dropped well below freezing, the colder the outside temps the longer it took for the steaming from the tailpipe to stop. I asked our mechanics why this happened as I know Diesel engines don’t produce water vapor like a gasser does. His explanation was something like this: Diesel fuel is atomized when it’s injected into the cylinder so it will burn, when the engine is very cold some of this atomized fuel condenses and is much harder to burn. This un-burnt fuel is expelled from the engine and appears as vapor. I’d guess that as these newer engines are much better at atomizing fuel than the older ones were we are seeing more vapors from the exhaust and at warmer temperatures. For what it’s worth it’s been getting chilly in the mornings here (single digits last few days) and both my father’s 04.5 and my 05 have been steaming in the morning, however once the engine temps rise it goes away. Even if we idle for extended periods of time, once the engine is warm (i.e. over 160) they do not steam.

Now if what you are seeing from your exhaust does not remind you of a gasser on a cold morning, you may want to have things checked out as you may have that white smoke issue.

Hope this helps

Water is a byproduct of diesel combustion, as it is gas combustion. In the reaction product, like CO and CO2. When you see steam emerging from a tailpipe, it is very saturated at the lower temp of the exhaust stream, it hits cold air and condenses to visible water drops (white) that quickly re-evaporate.

It seems to go away when things warm up because the hotter exhaust stream holds more water before it saturates out.

Probably more than anyone wanted to know. But the idea here is that steam is normal and easy to separate from oil or diesel smoke. I have smoke that goes away within a minute. I'd just like to know if its diesel or oil. It's not even broken in yet, 3K, enough miles for any oil to stop seeping I would think. My guess is that cold start combustion just is that lousy. Maybe part of why they don't run too well until hot, detonation concept and all. But if un-burnt fuel looks like steam, that is not what I have.

Here's an excerpt my bud from my Army days sent me:

WHAT DOES THE COLOR OF THE SMOKE PRODUCED INDICATE?
Smoke is the product of combustion. Vehicles may produce three kinds of smoke, two of which indicate engine problems. The three types are:

blue smoke (mainly oil and unburnt fuel) which indicates a poorly serviced and/or tuned engine;

black smoke (soot, oil and unburnt fuel) which
indicates a mechanical fault with the engine;

white smoke (water droplets and unburnt fuel) which is produced when the engine is started from cold and disappears when the engine warms up.
With older engines, the white smoke produced has a sharp smell which may cause irritation to your upper respiratory system.

You should tell your supervisor if vehicles are producing blue or black smoke so that prompt action can be taken to correct any problem.

I have been thinking about this more, now that it is colder out. When I leave my truck outside overnight (around 20F outside) and start it in the morning, I get quite a bit of white smoke (especially when the elevated idle kicks in). I have a diesel compact tractor that does the same thing when cold. I don't think this is steam, but a byproduct of the inefficient combustion. Once you get a little heat in the engine, the white smoke disappear. You will probably still see some water vapor out the exhaust, but it should disappear seconds after leaving the tailpipe.

I agree. Notice how cool the exhaust stream is. 10 minutes later, much hotter, more fuel burning.

Mine did it just once for about 2 minutes. It's not water unless it's a radically blown headgasket. The smoke is THICK white, engine runs very rough. Not on startup, but when you have been driving awhile. It has never happened again. Yet.

Well upon closer inspection this morning the smoke initially has a blue tinge to it. Then when I was driving up the hill it was white as far as I can tell in my mirror and it disperses quickly like steam does. As it has been doing the smoke goes away literally within 1/8 mile.

WAskier,

That description sounds normal to me, exactly the same as my 05 and my father's 04.5 FWIW.

Enigma, good to hear. I figure if it doesn't get any worse or do anything different there's probably nothing to worry about.