Well, Now that I have cured the electrical drain, I am still having starting issues. It was cranking lots and running rough with lots of white smoke for the first minute or so. Runs great after it clears up. I checked and checked and tightened everything assuming it is air getting into the system. Finally took it into the shop yesterday. Called the mechanic today and he said it starts quickly now, he said a bad connection to the grid heaters was the problem, (I didn't think they would make that difference at mild temps) but it still runs rough with lots of smoke for the first minute or so. He couldn't find any air leaks either.
I did advance the new pump an 1/8th on install. Timing was his idea about the smoke but I have never heard anyone say that happened on advance. The fuel pressure gauge with the stock lift pump is steady at about 4 lbs when running so I think it is working right. I still think air but thought I'd see if anyone else has an idea.

 

Define "mild" day.

It was mid to high 30s this morning and my truck was lopey and smoky when I started it. (no grids). It just comes with the territory once it starts getting cold.

 

Around 5C (40F).

 

I'm pretty sure I have air getting in as well. Mine smokes like crazy...white haze...during warm up too, but keeps smoking at lower rpm's even after warmed up.

 

Blown head gasket?

 

I saw the activation temps for the grids somewhere the other day, can't remember where, but I think 40* is borderline on whether or not they even come on at all.

Honestly, the best way to tell if they're on is just watch your headlights or amp gauge. If they're dimming or the gauge is dropping then coming back up, your grids are working.

I'm honestly probably not the best person to judge these things. My tolerances to rough running and warm-up haze are probably higher than most.

 

White, blue or grey smoke? Does it burn your eyes if you stick your head in the smoke? How long does it take to start? Is your KSB working?

 

Mine fires on the half crank.

The smoke is more a blue/grey.

Never really stuck my head in the exhaust...so can't say if the eyes would be burning.

I'm pretty sure the KSB is working...if I sit and let it idle, eventually the tone changes after a few minutes.

I know I need a new vented fuel cap...mine does not vent anymore and pulls the plastic tank in a bit when I'm running below 1/2 tank. After only a few minutes of running I can open tyhe fuel cap and it releases the vacuum in the tank.

 

Just a thought, but have you ever cracked the fuel lines loose at the injectors 1 at a time, during a first start to see if it's foamy. I have seen white smoke stop if it has a weak injector and its cracked loose. I have also seen constant foam from a injector until it warms up. If all are foamy , I would suspect sucking air somewhere. Just some things to do, sorry thou it is messy.

Steven M

 

Nope but I will try it on my next day off. Thanks for the tip.

 

No prob, hope it turns out to be a simple inexpensive fix.

Steven M

 

My truck seems to be sluggish to start these days it wants to start and the grids are working and it only puffs a almost invisble haze unless you step on it then it puffs blue till nice and warm then no smoke but I think that my battery might be dying is that it?

 

FWIW,

I was having a similar problem with my intake grids. When I plug the truck in @ night, and start it in the morning, the truck starts perfect, with no signs of any smoke. My engine in intercooled, and for some reason, they need warmer temperatures to start properly. With it plugged in, no issues whatsoever.


Try plugging it in and see what happens.

 

Well I have some more info...

I put my head in the smokey exhaust and it does not burn my eyes. Kind of smells like diesel? It has been really smoking in low RPM's. Off idle and to around 1300rpm it will push a blue-ish smoke...like burning oil. Then above 1500rpm it's all clear...and this is all at operating temperatures. If I spool it up, and bring the RPM up with it I get a slight black-ish/grey haze...but that to me is more in line with what I should see.

Another thing...when I go for a drive, and then come to a rest and idle it down the smoke gets worse and worse the longer it idles. Again all at operating temperature.

And on a side not...I do plug it in befor I go out to get going. About 2 hours before I'm set to go. Smokes about the same in the morning with the truck stone cold, or plugged in.

 

Kinda sounds like a leaky injector..