Someone told me the other day that white smoke at startup could mean glow plug problems. I usually see a quick puff of white smoke out the tailpipes when i start up but none after that, and it starts easily every time without even pressing on the foot pedal at all. If it is cold and it don't use the block heater, then i have to press down on the pedal a bit to get it to start the first crank. I recently tested all the plugs and i know they are all working, at least none of them are dead.
Is this really a sign of some problem if you see just one quick shot of white smoke at startup?
I plan to replace the glow plugs this fall anyway, but i am just trying to determine if there is something to troubleshoot here.
thanks,
Paul

White smoke at start up is normal, it should clear up fairly quick however. Sounds like yours is fine.;)

I get some white smoke if I don't leave the glow plugs on long enough (I have a manual switch). It goes away faster if I leave the advance on longer (I have a manual switch for the advance and also for the fast idle).

cougarjohn,
how hard is it to instal a manual glow plug switch? i was thinking about that because i heard the controllers don't last that long and i don't want to get stranded somewhere.
I recall a post a while back with instructions on how to instal a manual switch but can't find it - were you the one who posted it?
thanks,
Paul

Check out the sticky on the top of this page titled glow plugs.;)

My post was #2 in the post that D.C. mentioned. To me, it was important to go thru the temp controller in the right rear cylinder head to preclude the glow plug relay from turning on when the engine is warm. I just intercepted the wire going to the temp controller so I had less work (and wiring) to do. I cut out the wiring to the glow plug controller in the left rear cylinder head. I ran a 12 volt wire from an ignition switch position on the fuse panel to my momentary toggle switch on my dash board and then to the intercepted wire going to the temp controller. Very little work to do. I also installed manual switches for my IP advance and fast idle as well as the heater in the fuel filter. I used the ignition coil wire from the ignition switch to turn on my IP. My truck used to have a 350 gasoline engine.