Whoops
New Member
The last 2 times starting the starboard engine getting a white puff of smoke. Otherwise runs fine. Is this the start of a problem?
White Puff of Smoke when starting
- Thread starter Whoops
- Start date
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
White smoke is not good since it usually indicates water in the combustion chamber. However, are you sure you are seeing white smoke and not light blue instead (which is normal). The fact that one side puffs a little smoke and the other does not doesn't bother me since there are significant plumbing differences between the port and stbd exhaust systems.
If your engines run normally otherwise, I'd track what is going on and see if you can confirm the presence of excess moisture in the engine by answering these questions:.........is the oil color normal? is the coolant level stable or does it fluctuate or go down? Do an oil sample thru Caterpillar's SOS plan now or as soon as you have 10+ hours on a fresh oil change --- what are the results? Pressure test the engine cooling system---is the pressure static or does it leak down?
If your engines run normally otherwise, I'd track what is going on and see if you can confirm the presence of excess moisture in the engine by answering these questions:.........is the oil color normal? is the coolant level stable or does it fluctuate or go down? Do an oil sample thru Caterpillar's SOS plan now or as soon as you have 10+ hours on a fresh oil change --- what are the results? Pressure test the engine cooling system---is the pressure static or does it leak down?
rondds
Well-Known Member
- Oct 3, 2006
- 8,859
- Boat Info
- 2001 380DA
- Engines
- Merc 8.1s (2008)...Hurth ZF 63 V-drives...WB 7.0 BCGD (2013), Garmin 8208 & 740 MFDs, GMR 24xHD dome
Frank
On the topic of oil sampling, does this need to be done after a LOADED run, or can it be taken from engine that idled up to operating temp?
On the topic of oil sampling, does this need to be done after a LOADED run, or can it be taken from engine that idled up to operating temp?
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Ron,
After the engine reaches normal operating temperature....like 30 minutes after. Note that I said put at least 10 hours on fresh oil before trying to sample the oil. By then, the impurities are in the oil and well distributed so that an oil sample is meaningful. Note also that sometimes you cannot reach normal operating temps unless you put the engine under load.
After the engine reaches normal operating temperature....like 30 minutes after. Note that I said put at least 10 hours on fresh oil before trying to sample the oil. By then, the impurities are in the oil and well distributed so that an oil sample is meaningful. Note also that sometimes you cannot reach normal operating temps unless you put the engine under load.
rondds
Well-Known Member
- Oct 3, 2006
- 8,859
- Boat Info
- 2001 380DA
- Engines
- Merc 8.1s (2008)...Hurth ZF 63 V-drives...WB 7.0 BCGD (2013), Garmin 8208 & 740 MFDs, GMR 24xHD dome
Got it. Thanks Frank!
osd9
New Member
I get a good puff of white/blueish smoke from my starboard motor also.....mostly white. I had a CAT mechanic look at it and he didn't get overly excited either. He basically said that I have a leaky injector or injector seal. Motor runs fine otherwise, and doesn't smoke other than on startup.....and it clears up almost instantly.
Next time you start up, lean over and take a deep breath....if it smells refreshing....aka...like good ol' diesel fuel.....no biggey. If it has that moist musty smell, then as Frank W said above....investigate further.
Next time you start up, lean over and take a deep breath....if it smells refreshing....aka...like good ol' diesel fuel.....no biggey. If it has that moist musty smell, then as Frank W said above....investigate further.
