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Old 02-27-2019, 08:16 AM   #21
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Fuel smoke tends to linger way beyond the boat. Steam will dissipate 5-10 feet past the boat.

Make sure you are not chasing steam by fussing with injectors!!

Unusual for a diesel to start and run well cold, and not smoke, and then get fuel smoke up at power.

Thinking steam here...
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Old 02-27-2019, 08:24 AM   #22
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an injector with low vop would cause it to white smoke and get worse with rpm/load. it shouldn't too hard or expensive to get them tested. you can also look closely at the tip and see if the spray pattern is not even on real bad ones but a pop test is the best way to check them.
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Old 02-27-2019, 09:35 AM   #23
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Originally Posted by FF View Post
All good info on that forum, but never resolved.

It does drive me nuts when I become engaged with a thread, find useful information, and then the original poster does not provide further updates regarding how the matter was resolved. I will update this thread with my findings. Perhaps someone in the future may find this information helpful. I will be at the boat next week to start my work.

I appreciate everyone's input--most helpful!
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Old 02-27-2019, 09:54 AM   #24
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Chris
Yes to checking compression, is it steam or not and then testing injectors. One more thought after checking the first three - when did you first notice this issue and can it be tied to some happening?

So an off the wall set of questions. How old is the fuel? Did you per chance get a bad water laden load? Did you overdose (surprisingly common) with fuel treatment? Did some dock guy use a gas hose instead of diesel? Last but not least crazy thought, any fuel showing up in oil- testing for it pretty easy in South FL.

You'll get it fixed, be patient and proactive.
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Old 02-27-2019, 12:47 PM   #25
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Well Chris, I for one will look forward to your resolution in this regard.
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Old 03-03-2019, 03:51 PM   #26
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Chris
Yes to checking compression, is it steam or not and then testing injectors. One more thought after checking the first three - when did you first notice this issue and can it be tied to some happening?

So an off the wall set of questions. How old is the fuel? Did you per chance get a bad water laden load? Did you overdose (surprisingly common) with fuel treatment? Did some dock guy use a gas hose instead of diesel? Last but not least crazy thought, any fuel showing up in oil- testing for it pretty easy in South FL.

You'll get it fixed, be patient and proactive.

Thanks, Ski. I was unable to make it to the boat this weekend but will be pulling the injectors next weekend.
  • The white smoke is definitely not steam but has a very strong smelling fuel odor and travels some distance from the boat. I have owned the boat for several years now and the fuel smelling, white smoke only started the past few months. It got particularly worse the past two boat trips. Prior to that, there have been no issues what-so-ever.
  • Coolant level remains perfect and the oil is normal smell/consistency (I don't smell fuel). I will have the oil tested though!
  • I do not hear any odd noises or knocking.
  • RPM remains steady and the engine turns over easily.
  • I do not see water in the fuel bowl and the filters are changed with frequency.
  • Fuel is fresh
  • The slight smoke and sheen in the water at start-up from the exhaust has been occurring for longer, but I assumed a little smoke at start-up was normal.
  • Exhaust elbow is clear.
  • I used slightly less cleaner than instructed, but who knows--I can't say with 100% that I didn't make a mistake.
  • I replaced the old copper fuel lines that were badly corroding a few months ago. The smoke did start after the lines were pulled. I can't recall how long though. Coincidence?
I could be very wrong but this seems to point to one or more of the injectors. I could test each one by cracking a nut and checking for RPM drop, but I am just going to pull them and have them professionally inspected. I will check the compression as well.

Many thanks again. I will have an update in the next few weeks!

Chris
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Old 03-03-2019, 05:12 PM   #27
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I think you are on the right track. Very interested to hear what you find.
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Old 03-03-2019, 07:13 PM   #28
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Throw in a lube oil sample analysis looking for fuel in the oil.
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Old 03-03-2019, 08:32 PM   #29
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Let me summarize the symptoms as I understand it from reading this thread:

Engine starts easily cold- Indicates good compression
White smoke started recently
Smoke has a diesel smell- un burned fuel
Smoke doesn't dissipate quickly- not steam
No black smoke under load- not a lack of air (turbo or fouled air filter) problem
No fuel cooler in that engine- so no leak
Coolant level steady- no head gasket problem

All of the above indicates a fuel injector problem. If it is simple injector fouling and not wear (and at 600 hours I would not expect injector wear) then running it hard (2-300 off of top) for a few hours may clear up the smoke. It did for me with a Yanmar 3GM at 4,000 hours.

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Old 03-03-2019, 11:58 PM   #30
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.....I replaced the old copper fuel lines that were badly corroding a few months ago. The smoke did start after the lines were pulled. I can't recall how long though. Coincidence? ...Chris
Can`t see the connection but not big on "coincidence". "Do something and something happens afterwards" suggests a nexus.
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Old 03-04-2019, 07:15 AM   #31
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Does the engine come up to full / normal operating temperature? (Cool running engine makes white smoke. Same as in start up.)
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Old 03-04-2019, 12:52 PM   #32
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Might look at your fuel pressure before going to injectors.... When were your racor and secondary fuel filters last changed?
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Old 03-04-2019, 04:15 PM   #33
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Before you do anything find a volvo penta forum and you will likely find that volvo pentas are smokers,,nothing wrong with them just produce white smoke like mine,,for years...but after a few hours it stops or almost stops.
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Old 03-05-2019, 01:48 AM   #34
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Glazed bores

I got white smoke from my GM692 2 stroke and it was caused by glazed bores which in turn was caused by idling too long as they like work, I treated the fuel with an additive designed to decarbonise motors and it worked a treat. It is called FTC and is available in Australia, don't know about U.S.

The supplier told me that he had sold this to people that tried it as a last resort before rebuild the motor and it worked just as well on 4 strokes.
One classic issue with GM's with this problem is excessive oil consumption because of increased sump pressure caused by the blow by in the cylinders as a result of the glazing.
Could be worth a go !
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Old 03-05-2019, 01:58 AM   #35
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Product link

https://costeffective.com.au/2017/03...s-you-a-story/

This link takes you to some interesting information on white smoke
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Old 03-05-2019, 06:03 AM   #36
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" I treated the fuel with an additive designed to decarbonise motors and it worked a treat."

I have often used a "Flit Gun" a hand insectside sprayer with water to clear carbon deposits .

I wonder if a de-carboning spray made for the high powered outboards might work even better?
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Old 03-05-2019, 06:15 AM   #37
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Can`t see the connection but not big on "coincidence". "Do something and something happens afterwards" suggests a nexus.

Agreed. Some dislodged crud stuck in an injector seems the most likely explanation.
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Old 03-05-2019, 07:24 AM   #38
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Last year one of my diesels started kicking out white smoke. Turned out to be steam. I had bought fuel from a different marina and got a gulp of water too. Would happen one day and not the next. After much hand wringing, it went away on its own.
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Old 03-11-2019, 03:58 PM   #39
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I am at the boat now and pulled the injectors. One was particularly filthy (see pic). I am sending them off tomorrow.
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15523378220746048290163349677332.jpg   15523378435998017935866108702953.jpg  
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Old 03-11-2019, 09:48 PM   #40
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Make sure you keep track of the Cu sealing ring, I saw some stuck to the nozzles, others likely in head bores. Get them pop tested. Clean sealing bores in head and use new sealing rings. The dirty one probably had some leakage past the ring.
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