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Generator Smokes When Stared

June 11, 2017, 12:40:29 pm

My generator has started smoking white for a few seconds after starting, it then clears and runs fine. I'm now ~7500-8000' altitude, didn't see any when I was at sea level.

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #1 – June 11, 2017, 12:43:28 pm

Obviously dry and less dense air at altitude...does that affect starting process of "simple" mechanical diesel engines?

Is the "off" time constant between "run" times?

Is the current air temp before starting the same as it was at sea level?

Just trying to compare operating conditions, wondering if they have any significance...

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #2 – June 11, 2017, 12:55:07 pm

Cold smoke.  Not sure if more preheating the glow plugs will reduce it but it's normal at some temps or altitudes

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Reply #3 – June 11, 2017, 01:18:58 pm

Expect your generator to be a little harder to start and to smoke when starting at altitude. The air is much less dense and your diesel is a compression ignition type engine. Less air to compress equals more smoke and more cranking time. Don't be surprised if it smells and there is a light blue smoke out the exhaust. Colder temperatures mean a larger difference between the air temperature the piston sees at bottom dead center and the temperature toward top dead center when the diesel is injected. That's why diesels start better the higher the ambient temperature. The smaller the temperature differential, the faster they start. This is normal.

Really slow starting may be caused by failure of one of the glow plugs. Anytime the generator seems slower than normal starting in the same conditions, check all the glow plugs for operation. How to do this is found online.

Foretravels are prone to gradual failure of the generator fuel lines. They get millions of tiny cracks with air being drawn into the fuel system causing shutdown. Be aware of this problem and inspect the supply line with a pair of strong glasses. It's really easy to test and then replace the supply line if bad.

Pierce

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #4 – June 11, 2017, 01:34:29 pm

Without turbo, fuel air mixture at high altitudes is less air and richer mixture, causing smoking.  Turbo engines don't have this unbalance.

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #5 – June 11, 2017, 02:05:20 pm

I replaced our glow plugs.  Starts better

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Reply #6 – June 11, 2017, 02:20:08 pm

 I was above creed Colorado at about 9500 feet generator started smoke smoke smoke then cut off found my way down to Durango change both filters on the generator ran fine  just what happened to me sounds like these guys know what they're talking about good luck we all need some

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #7 – June 11, 2017, 06:37:43 pm

I had that problem in cold weather at high altitude. Anyhow, I found that if I extended the glow plug time the problem went away. I did that by turning the switch on but just before the generator cranked I would switch it off. Did that three times and it would start and run perfectly every time.
jor

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Re: Generator Smokes When Stared

Reply #8 – June 11, 2017, 07:10:30 pm

Thanks all, I'll just use it as payback for the smokiest camp fires !

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