[C320-list] White Smoke from Diesel Exhaust

[Albert Kitten]

Is the mixing elbow blocked with carbon deposits?

On Thu, 9 Nov 2023, 4:55 am Bob Borelli via C320-list, <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> My diesel exhaust is emitting white smoke, possibly blue white, about 3 to
> 4 feet long at operating speed of 2800 rpms.  The smoke remains at the
> water surface until dissipating.   No smoke at start up or idle at 1000
> rpms.  This 1995 Perkins M30 diesel has 1560 hours.
>
> The diesel is not overheating.  I have had the underwater hull cleaned.
> Appears to be good raw water overflow from the exhaust.  Various
> temperature readings around the diesel & exhaust at operating speed of 2800
> rpms have remained the same.  No loss of coolant.  Raw water impeller
> good.  No water in the Racor bowl.  Fuel filters new.   Additives used are
> Biobor MD & JF.  Fuel  purchased fuel from truck stop.
>
> The no. 1 injector temp (197F) is less then no. 2 & no. 3 (220F).     I
> don’t know if injectors have been serviced in the 1560 hours.  The tech
> manual states service after 900 hours.  My plan is to have the injectors
> removed for testing.
>
> Has anyone had similar white smoke issues from their diesel?  And how
> resolved?
>
>
>
>
>
> What creates White Smoke from diesel exhaust?
>
> White Smoke is nearly always water vapor & is quite normal when engine is
> first started.
>
> However if it persist for more then a few seconds, engine could have
> problems:
>
>
>
> White Smoke indicates Overheating!  Steam! Due to restricted Injection
> Elbow!  Test by measure the temperature in the ‘Wet’ portion of Exhaust
> Hose, should be below 200F. insufficient raw water flow.
>
>
>
> Overcooling - cylinder head & combustion chamber operate at temperatures
> too low for proper combustion (my cylinder no.1 lower temp?)
>
>
>
> White Smoke represents atomized fuel, very small droplets of fuel that
> cause a fog.
>
> White Smoke from exhaust indicates diesel fuel not burning correctly - the
> Injectors.
>
> Fuel is not burning completely.   Replace fuel Injector.
>
> Raw diesel fuel is passing thru combustion chamber into the exhaust stream.
>
> White smoke unburned fuel indicates damaged injectors.
>
>
>
> Preheat device - Glow Plugs malfunctioning?
>
>
>
> Poor fuel quality (not formulated as no. 2 diesel), add fuel Cetane
> Booster may temporarily alleviated & identify poor quality fuel as
> problem.  Contaminated Fuel.  Water in the fuel.
>
>
>
> Low pressure to the fuel pump.  Damaged or incorrect fuel pump timing.
> Dirty fuel filter.
>
>
>
> Poor Atomization of Fuel - Injectors
>
> Injector nozzle stuck open [1].    Injector nozzle seat worn [1].
>  Injector pressure low [1].
>
> Low fuel grade [4].   Injection timing retarded [4].
>
>
>
> Poor Compression:
>
> Low cylinder compression.   Leaking inlet or exhaust valve [3].   Piston
> rings stuck in grooves [3]
>
> Worn piston rings and cylinders [3].  Piston ring blow by.    Damages
> rings.
>
>
>
> Water in the fuel:
>
> Check Coolant Level
>
> Coolant working its way into cylinders & burning along with the fuel.
>
> Blown Head gasket - cooling water escaping from galleries & entering a
> combustion chamber.
>
> Water mixed in fuel from cracked head gasket, cylinder head or block.
>
>
>
> ·          Inspect Valve Seals for signs of leakage.   Poorly adjusted
> valves or worn valve seats.
>
>
>
> ·          Cracks in Intake Manifold Gasket
>
> ·          Cracks in Head Gasket or Head gasket blown.
>
>
>
> ·          Cracks in cylinder head
>
> ·          Cracks in exhaust manifold.
>
> ·          Cracks in engine block.
>
> ·          Inspect Piston Rings for signs of leakage.
>
>
>
> ·          Damaged timing gear
>