Smoking

knightrider2000 · January 25, 2002

Just saw something for the first time tonight.... when i was taking off, i gased it pretty good after it shifted into 3rd, so it went into passing gear... squaked the tires a little, but i saw a pretty good puff of smoke for just a second.. Is this normal.. truck has 80,100 miles on it..

Matt

99 Z71 LT 5.3L

Shaners · January 25, 2002

I'm guessing you are just blowing out some burnt carbon. It's not that unusual, under hard acceleration. My motorcycle will do that from time to time when I drop into third and gas it hard to pass a string of cars.

Victory Red · January 26, 2002

I got to agree with Shaners, it sounds like a little carbon build up. Considering you have over 80K on it now, it's not uncommon to see what you are describing. What have you done to clean your fuel system lately? Try a good additive to help clean your injectors, and free up any sticky rings. If it only happens when you really get on it, then I wouldn't worry about it too much. You can save it. Get yourself down to your local Yamaha Outboard Motor dealer, and get some stuff called "Ring Free". It's amazing stuff for cleaning up the inside of your engine (it works on 2-stroke AND 4-stroke motors). What the stuff is, is almost pure Techrolene concentrate (the stuff Chevron invented, they call it Chevron with Techron). Same stuff. Only when you fill up your tank at the local Chevron station, you're only getting a watered down version of Techrolene. Sure, it still helps, but not like the concentrated stuff. Believe me, I work on Yamahas, and this stuff will EAT carbon for lunch! It's THAT good. Read the directions on the bottle REAL GOOD. You can do more damage than good, using TOO MUCH of this stuff.

Using too much could cause scoring of cylinders from lack of enough lubrication, and from all the carbon that is being broken up inside. BUT, don't be scared to try it, because of that. That's an extreme example. Use it per directions, and it WILL stop your smoking problems. I gare-un-tee!

Victory Red · January 26, 2002

I forgot to mention something VERY IMPORTANT. Don't forget to change your oil and filter after giving your engine a treatment of Ring Free. You won't believe how black your oil is after using this stuff for a tank full.

knightrider2000 · January 26, 2002

Ever heard of a product called sea foam? we have it at the parts store where i work (carquest). The can says you can add it to your oil, and to you gas. someone told me they put it in thier oil... it somked like crazy, then Nothing.. said it was burning off carbon. Havent tried it yet. kinda been thinking about it.... just 3 bucks a can.

Matt

radrado · January 26, 2002

In the past I have used 2 plus 4 to clean out deposits. It's a fuel additive made by OMC. Any Johnson outboard dealer should carry it. It's not as agressive as ring free, and gave me great results on my '89 Z71 with the 350 engine.

Victory Red · January 26, 2002

In the past I have used 2 plus 4 to clean out deposits. It's a fuel additive made by OMC. Any Johnson outboard dealer should carry it. It's not as agressive as ring free, and gave me great results on my '89 Z71 with the 350 engine.

OMC's 2+4 is more of a fuel conditioner, and not a carbon remover/engine cleaner. We used to be Johnson dealers too, and 2+4 is what we used to add to fuel tanks for winter storage. It preserves the octane in your fuel and absorb small amounts of water. OMC does make something else called "Engine Tuner" which does something similar to what Yamaha's Ring Free does, but IMO, it doesn't work as well (or as fast) as Ring Free. Engine Tuner is in a spray can, and is designed to be sprayed into the intake. Kinda messy on an EFI truck. I have used it on some older carb-equipped trucks and cars with good results. Ring Free gets dumped into your fuel tank, and will work much better to clean the ENTIRE fuel system. Not to mention, it's not as messy.

tfpary · January 27, 2002

I'm with Knightrider2000. I use Seafoam, had it recommended by my dad, who also worked at Carquest. I used it in my 82 C10 that has well over 200,000 on it, and it worked a minor miracle. I have used it in my snowblower engine as well, with great results. Have no idea whats in it, but it really cleans out the fuel system and the combustion chamber. Watch out though, the directions say to pour it into the carb or throttle body till the engine stalls, let it sit, then start it up. Once started, it smokes like crazy and stinks to beat the band.

Works great.