[C320-list] White Smoke from Diesel Exhaust

[Elliott Womack]

Check for blow by. With the engine running bring the rpm up a bit, and go
remove the oil fill cap. Place your hand over the fill and see how much air
you feel blowing. It should NOT feel like a small shop vac blowing.

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023, 1:17 PM Albert Kitten via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> 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
> >
>