smokin' dk 55

[bncsauve]

My LK2554 also has a screen under the fuel filler cap

 

[kentrodngun]

My 1993 LK3054 has the drop in strainer under the gas cap too. My parts manual calls it a Fuel Strainer Assembly (part no. T2540-41351)

 

[gmol]

Update. New injectors, fuel filter, air filter, pre-heater manifold a year or so ago, and new pre heater timer this month .Fuel is clean as I run an excavator every day from the same bulk tank. Every time something was done to tracotr it got better for the "now". Next day back to square one. Starts great but after 20 seconds or so it bogs, coughs, and sputters white smoke. It takes a long time to warm up enough to get beyond the white smoke. Please keep in mind it is not exactly cold or even close to frosty. My dealer has been supportive but contiues to tell me he has never heard of this, has never seen this problem and doesn't know what to do. SO what the &*ck?!

 

[MotorSeven]

Exorcisim?

I not a mech, here's my "W.A. guess" , but if something isin't in the fuel then something is getting in the fuel once the engine is running. The cooling system must be leaking into the cylinder someplace(does water in diesel fuel show as white smoke?)...cracked head/cylinder? Can you borrow a bore scope and look into the cylinders?

 

[gmol]

Is there any stupid simple visual check to make to see if something like that is happening. The smoke at start up and star up in general is worse when it is damp out. Every one says the humidity should not matter but it does. I am not making this up. I like this idea of something else mixing with the fuel. Thanks, G

 

[Donnyj]

Is the coolant bottle staying full or are you losing any coolant?

 

[VT_Kioti]

Exorcisim?

I not a mech, here's my "W.A. guess" , but if something isin't in the fuel then something is getting in the fuel once the engine is running. The cooling system must be leaking into the cylinder someplace(does water in diesel fuel show as white smoke?)...cracked head/cylinder? Can you borrow a bore scope and look into the cylinders?

Coolant in the fuel sure will cause white smoke. We just had a learning experence when some EGR valves went bad on Series 60 Detroits. It was not just a little white smoke, it filled the road and made you think the thing was on fire. A small leak would make sense because it would go away as the engine warm up and expanded to close off the leak.

 

[rback33]

I drove a 350 Cummins in a Freightliner that had the same problem. Blue white smoke (not bad) all the time. Had to fill the water periodically. I fixed the problem by using the back of a another semi's van trailer as the final braking action in a construction zone. Long story, but while I WAS following too close... a ridiculously improper manuever by a construction vehilce caused the whole thing. I don't think wrecking your tractor is the way you want to fix it though....

 

[gmol]

Well good idea on the coolant but the level was fine in the bottle and the radiator itself. However the tranni /hydraulic level is way down. Any way that could make into the cylinders ?Started it this morning and it smoked white and went this afternoon and it started fine. It is the initial start each day that is horrendous

 

[Barrettseq]

I had a DK55 cab do the same thing in Florida in the winter. We all know how cold it get down here. Smoking and puffing at start up until it warms up. My customer was not happy either. I did the glow plugs, fuel pump, checked turbo, 2 sets of injectors, 3 fuel filters and drain fuel tank. I even changed the air in the tires. Nothing worked at all. I read here on TBN about a hair dryer test and it worked. I went to the shop in the morning when it was cold, 68 degrees, held a hair dryer to the air intake manifold. When the tractor started it was perfect, no smoke at all, I pulled the dryer away after 5 seconds and it started smoking, put it back and it quit. I installed a manifold preheater and that solved the problem. You already have one installed but you may try this to see if it is still the problem or needs to be replaced. Let me know how it turns out.

barrettseq.com

 

[MotorSeven]

One other idea- a friend says that the timing advanced too far will cause the symptoms you are describing. Once the engine warms up the heat kinda self retards the timing so it quits smoking. It may be worth checking.

 

[gmol]

I have wondered about the timin galong the line. Is it a big deal to time one of theses things. I have heard you need a special diesel timing light. Is that true ?

 

[Donnyj]

I believe what Barrettseq suggested sounds correct. Sounds like to me you have a cold engine. White smoke on cold start sounds like engine is cold. No anti-freeze loss is good. If timing was way out is would seem to me the engine would be very noisy all the time. I have never seen mechanical timing ****** itself by the engine warming up. The hair dryer sounds like a real quick and easy check.

 

[MotorSeven]

Donny, i don't get any white smoke, even when it is 15 degrees out. It just seems like Gmol checked everything else, so it can't hurt to check the timing. And no, i never have timed a diesel, so i don't know ehat type of equip is needed.
RD

 

[Egon]

It may be time for a Diesel Mechanic diagnosis.

 

[gmol]

Well guess what. No power to glow plugs or pre-heater now. Got new fuses for the fire wall and a new control box fuse. All fuses in fuse box are fine. Still no power to anything related to pre heating this thing. Mechanic is coming over for a house call in a.m.. Will probably have to plug in block heater to get it started.

 

[Donnyj]

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction. Good luck and be sure to let us all know what you find out.

 

[gmol]

Well mechanis came over today and found a blown fuse on a pig tail that the two of us had no idea existed. There are two. Replaced the fuse and she fired right up. He saw the smoke and aggreed it is not right and does think it could be the timing as everything else is new. After it runs for a small eternity it is at a usable/accpetable smoke range. I just have to use it the way it is until I can get it to the shop. Too much work now to be with out it. I just have to let it warm up before we put the throttle to her.