First of all, I changed to rotella synthetic and It may just be me, but it seems to smoke more with it. Could the synthetic make it smoke more?? Next, it is starting to get a little cool down here (South Alabama). When my truck is cold, it seems as if it is missing or something. And i am getting alot of smoke that smells like unburnt fuel. Is it the nature of the truck in cool weather, or is something going out?? Once the heat builds in the engine, it smooths right on out.

Kip

 

My old 92 spits and sputters a little until it warms up some and then it is ready to go.

 

thats a diesel for you!!! i started mine this morning it was 23 degrees out let it idle for 10min took off down the the road spittin and sputterin leaving a huge cloud of white smoke. if you plug it in it will start right up and wont sputter. i think if you advance your timing it'll run a little smoother.

 

That is normal. A diesel engine has to be heated up before it can give a complete fuel burn.

 

they all run like crap cold,don't forget to warm it up a little in neutral also to get that trans fluid moving.

 

halerazor I would check your timing, it shouldn't miss like that after idling for several minutes. Idling for 10 minutes isn't the best idea either, take off and drive it as soon as it smooths out a little.

After I set my timing to 15.25 degrees it doesn't miss on a cold morning except if I throttle it within the first couple of minutes (not a good thing to do anyway). I did miss a fair amount before moving up the timing (it was at 13.3 deg.). It hasn't been that cold yet, a couple times in the upper 20s but most of the time above freezing. I have no place to plug in.

Vaughn

 

I don't think it is the synthetic oil causing your problem as much as the colder temps. Advancing the timing will improve your cold startability and reduce the smoking and sputtering. Cold in Southern Alabama is similar to cold in Southern NM except for the humidity, and it is quite easy to deal with. Good luck


Howard