First time post but I've been lurking for quite a while. I'm looking at purchasing a clean 2005 3500 CTD with 35k miles on it. The truck appears to run fine with plenty of power and the tranny shifts okay. My concern is the gray to somewhat black smoke out the exhaust under lite acceleration. Just off idle but not every time. Anyone experience this before?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

how much smoke are you talking about a lot or just a light puff?? if it is a puff I say ok

 

I guess a lite puff explains it pretty well. Nothing heavy unless you get on it. I've test driven several and I don't remember seeing this on the others. Of course, I wasn't concentrating on it with the others.

Thanks for the reply.

 

Is the engine bone stock or is there a programmer/chip?

 

I am looking to buy it from a dealer, as far as I know it is bone stock. I looked for any hints of a box being on there and did not see anything.

 

On mine when stock I would occasionaly see a light puff of smoke under hard acceleration. At night with someone behind you with lights on it will be more visable and look like a little more smoke coming out. Think it is normal. I see it on my 07 5.9 and saw it on my 04.5 with and without the Quad XZT towing box on it.

 

The only bad thing about the truck is the plastic intercooler. If it blows they will install a aluminum one. This intercooler was only used one year. 2005

 

My stock 05 will leave you in a cloud of smoke if I putt around for a couple minutes, and then get on it, cars behind me will back off real quick, I love it. I had to smoke a tailgater just today.

 

Thanks to everyone for responding. I test drove another 05 CTD today and it had the same puff of smoke. Looks like it may be somewhat normal.

 

has the truck been sitting awhile before driving her??? is the engine cold when you see the smoke??? sounds normal to me.

 

Mayb its just were it hasnt been drivin alot here lately sittin on the lot or just hasnt been drivin hard at all....i know if im real light on the pedal for a while then step on it that it will blow some smoke. just my 2 cents

 

The early 05's had the plastic intercooler, later ones did not. Some dealers just change the plastic one when she blows and some say it is not covered under warranty, I know because it just happened to a friend of mine.