Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Topic: Going down highway and white smoke coming out. (Read 2829 times) previous topic - next topic

Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

February 14, 2014, 09:19:41 pm

Cruising along and white smoke pouring out exhaust lost power and engine shut down. Thank goodness at the ramp of rest area! Sat few minutes and pumped accelerator several times and it cranked. Ran for a minute and then started smoking again and shut down.

Generator ran for a few minutes and did the same thing. Current fuel has been in tank for the last 800 miles with no issues. Glass vole is showing erratic fuel level and even foaming once. Low in volume. Seems as though the fuel is not getting from the fuel tank.

Mechanic on telephone thought it was the 'pick-up' pump which takes fuel out of the fuel tank and works in conjunction with injectors?

Any had the problem or maybe she'd some light? If possible, I would like to fix on site.

Thanks,

David

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #1 – February 14, 2014, 09:34:35 pm

White smoke indicates raw fuel exiting in exhaust system. You don't have a pick-up pump(lift pump) on your engine. Where are you and where are you going? Since both engine and generator are affected, are you heading north burning southern fuel perhaps? Going from low to high altitude?

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #2 – February 14, 2014, 09:49:09 pm

Brett,

In Alabama, staying in Alabama. Outside temp is 40F. Altitude steady and is southern fuel.

David

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #3 – February 14, 2014, 09:52:29 pm

Dip the tank to see how far up from the bottom it is. Don't rely on the gauge. Have you added fuel? Main engine should have a different tank pickup than the generator. Other same model owners, is that correct?

Pierce

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #4 – February 14, 2014, 10:05:08 pm

Unburned fuel= black smoke , white exhaust = water ,as in steam . Change fuel filters , maybe more than once and always have spares .Been there done that . Brad Metzger

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #5 – February 14, 2014, 10:15:56 pm

White smoke occurs when raw diesel comes through the exhaust completely intact and unburned. Could be bad injectors. I would he a GOOD diesel mechanic look at the engine.

Roland

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #6 – February 14, 2014, 10:31:11 pm

Sudden stop of both engine and generator is fuel related. No fuel in tank or algae clogging filters or pickup failure if only one fuel pickup point.

White smoke can also be fuel related. Water related white smoked dissipates quickly, fuel related drifts away.

Pierce

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #7 – February 14, 2014, 11:24:12 pm

I would change filters first too. That both stopped tells me it is fuel related. Good advice given.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #8 – February 15, 2014, 12:17:15 am

How long has fuel been in tank? 800 miles at about 7 mpg is about 115 gallons consumed. Running on low fuel tank levels cause fuel to heat up from warm returning fuel. We usually fill up at about half tank or so, partly to be safe and to keep fuel in tank cooler. If you are temporarily getting lower mpg, you may be too low for safety.

If you had water in tank, could that cause a problem? Get it running to the first fuel fill-up stop before doing drastic things to resolve problem.

(We also try to not fill at a pump that also dispenses gasoline, to prevent the problem that a few friends have had. It is truck stops for us, usually Flying J / Pilot.)

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #9 – February 15, 2014, 12:35:31 am

What Brad M said. My first thought would be water in the fuel indicated by the white smoke,
Richard B

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #10 – February 15, 2014, 07:57:39 am

Were there water in the fuel, it would be VERY obvious in the primary fuel filter.

Have you drained some of the fuel from the primary filter into a clear glass container-- what did you find?

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #11 – February 15, 2014, 08:27:05 am

You might even get a water in fuel light on the dash.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #12 – February 15, 2014, 10:00:15 am

You are in the bottom portion of your tank where water acumalates from both stations and condisation. Rail Road equipment is required to refuel everyday after running for 10 hours to cut down on condensation. In a 200 gal. Tank I have drained as much as 5-7 gallons out of the bottom. Throw filters at it. Make sure you prime them first. High quality fuel dispersing additive to make the water fall to the bottom, then take a small fuel pump and suck it off the bottom until it is clean fuel. My experience.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #13 – February 15, 2014, 10:14:11 am

My guess is still with the algae. Brett is right on that water would be visible in the "sight glass" on the filter. If water was present, it would have shown up hundreds of miles earlier if the tank had not been topped off since the last fill. Algae is much more insidious. Never know when it is going to show up but it usually gives a warning on hills before the engine totally quits. Water at the injectors would be serious if the engine were warm as it is very possible for the expanding steam to blow off the tip of some injectors. White smoke that dissipates quickly while driving usually indicates a blown head gasket. On very cold morning without the block heater, we get thick black smoke for a few seconds and then once several cylinders have fired, lots and lots of grey white smoke that seem to stay around forever if the wind is not blowing. Once the last cylinder is firing, the smoke instantly quits. Nice to be able to have air pressure so you can quickly leave the scene of the crime.

Pierce

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #14 – February 15, 2014, 10:27:45 am

Like water in the primary fuel filter, algae is easy to detect. It will appear as black slimy or particulates in the primary fuel filter.

Drain some and see what you get-- WITH ENGINE OFF.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #15 – February 15, 2014, 10:46:45 am

My new Racor has no sight glass. I wonder how many do... I can see though in the genset primary.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #16 – February 15, 2014, 11:05:23 am

If your Racor filter element is open at both ends, a plastic see through cap with a drain will thread onto one end. Some models have a water probe also. I think Cummins uses this type as a secondary filter rather than the primary as the Detroit does. Different micron rating also. Cummins is 5 microns and Detroit is 30 microns as I remember. (secondary filters have a finer or lower micron rating)

Pierce

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #17 – February 15, 2014, 11:32:56 am

If both engines are doing the same thing remove genset primary or first filter and pour it in a clear container to see. Napa and wix now has a filter that will screw in place of Racor it does have a drain though. Drain some in a clear container to see what is there.

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #18 – February 15, 2014, 08:38:08 pm

Does anyone use an additive to remove water from fuel tank and lines?? I use one at every fill up and I also use it to increase the lubricity that is reduced by the lower sulfur diesel that is required these days. Thanks and have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #19 – February 15, 2014, 08:41:24 pm

Fritz,
WHat is the brand of the additive you use?
Jerry

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #20 – February 15, 2014, 10:11:11 pm

Quote from: fkjohns6083 – February 15, 2014, 08:38:08 pm

Does anyone use an additive to remove water from fuel tank and lines?? I use one at every fill up and I also use it to increase the lubricity that is reduced by the lower sulfur diesel that is required these days. Thanks and have a great day ---- Fritz

I have been adding the Lucas diesel additive. Not sure on the water in fuel mixing effect but the engine idles noticeably smoother. Quite amazing.

Quart per 100 gallon ratio. Coach vibrates at idle without it. With it added its totally smooth.

Valves and injectors adjusted recently prior to the additive use. Mechanic said it raises the Cetane rating?

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #21 – February 15, 2014, 10:16:27 pm

Quote from: dwest – February 14, 2014, 09:19:41 pm

Current fuel has been in tank for the last 800 miles with no issues.

And how long time wise has it been in there?

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #22 – February 15, 2014, 10:50:41 pm

We add Diesel Kleen, gray container, from Walmart, with every fill.
DIESEL KLEEN® +Cetane Boost®: Max HP Formula ? use during non-winter months for

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #23 – February 16, 2014, 09:29:26 am

What's going on , David ? Are you still setting there broke down or what . Did you change filters , or waiting for a tow truck . Keep us informed . We all want to help you . Brad Metzger

Re: Going down highway and white smoke coming out.

Reply #24 – February 16, 2014, 12:10:27 pm

Diesel Lubricity Additive Study Results | Fuels and Fuel Additives: Gasoline and
This study was done a few years ago and many of you may have read it. It gives you an idea of what works and what does not of 20 products out there.
I have allways used Amsoil additives conservatively and it rates better than what a lot of you may be using but definitly not the best. Some like Lucas are worse than not using it !!!
I use the Cetane and Cold Flow too at times.
FWIW
JohnH

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