I've been laid up with a broken femur since the last of October. The last time I actually got to drive my truck was Oct 27.

I have been going out every week or so and firing it up. I have been getting the standard white condensation puff coming out.

However I went out today to run it a bit and to get some Power Service in the tank and lines. I'm pretty sure the diesel I was running wasn't treated for anything because the last time I bought fuel was around the first of Oct.

Anyway this time I got the slight white condensation puff then a black haze. It lasted a few seconds then was gone. The truck idles and revs fine, I checked the oil and it seems fine. I have noticed if I hold the rpm at 1350 or so it does vibrate a little more but only at that rpm. I can take it to any other rpm and its smooth. Its always done this though.

I'm just wondering what may have caused the black haze I saw. Its never done that before.

Thanks for your help and Merry Christmas!

 

Dave Cant You Get Someone You Trust To Drive It Some For You To Burn The Old Fuel And Get Some Fresh

 

I've been told that more than once. My parents and brother don't want to drive it. The biggest they've got is a regular cab Silverado Z-71.

I should be able to drive sometime soon, when that happens I'm going to get it good and warm then give it a good running.

I'm just concerned that it may be something with the injectors. I'd hate to have to get my injectors replaced but if I do I'm certainly not going back with stock!

 

Wow, really sorry to hear about your leg. I routinely leave my truck parked for three months at a time (I am a snowbird of sorts). In 03 when I first started leaving it parked in CA, my old dad would start it up every week or two for me but wouldnt drive it. Started having a similar problem as you. After that, when parked for a couple of months I started disconnecting the batts and not touching it. Never had any more problems and truck always starts when I get back to it. This was a rather wordy way to say that in my opinion, its better to not start it unless its going to get a work out. In your cooler weather, I dont think your fuel is going to go bad in just a few months (mine doesnt). Like I said, just my opinion.

 

Bark,
Thanks for the suggestion. My main reason for firing it up was the thought that I may have some untreated summer fuel in the tank. I run regular Power Service but wanted to get a shot of the anti gel PS in the white bottle in there.

Im starting to get over the haze I saw. Who knows what that was. It was just like the normal black puff lasted a bit longer. I figure if there is anything wrong I can just bite the bullet and get it fixed or make it better than stock.

I'll take what you said to heart and leave it alone till I can give it a proper drive. I won't be able to drive a manual regularly for a little while after I'm released as the angle I have to put my leg is aggrivating.

 

Little bit of white smoke followed by a puff of black is normal for winter conditions. The white smoke shows the intial fire off of the cyclinders and the black shows the the end. When you first start your truck you will have incomplete combustion until the engine gets up to operatinng speed and thats where you will see the change over with the black smoke.

When you go out to start it do you rev your motor up or do you just let it idle. Cause, I would slowly increase the idle and turn on the A/c and radio to put a load on the motor. It may be a small load, but it is better than nothing. This will allow you to work your engine with out working it.

Shawn

 

Is it in a garage? If it is I'd put the batterys on a battery tender,put some additive in the fuel and leave it alone until you can drive.If outside thats another story.

 

Cat,
I'm loading the engine exactly like you are. I let it idle for a while then rev it up till I get to about 1500 rpm. I leave it there for a while and load it with the AC.

Mines outside though. I put some white bottle antigel Power Service in as my last fillup was around the first of Oct so I figure it wasnt treated. I was mainly running it to get some in the lines. Anything else I should do? I'd plug it in but mine didnt come with the pigtail attached and I havent put it on yet.

 

It is just fine, don't worry. You have a CUMMINS. It will run forever....