The HD was smokin

regcab02HD · February 17, 2002

I started my 6.0 HD up about 5:00 pm, because I wanted to go coyote hunting. When I started it up I noticed a good bit of smoke coming out of the tailpipe.

It wasn't from vapor, it was smoke. Gray smoke. After I went hunting I checked my engine oil before I left. It was the same as the last time I checked my oil, and that was at about 500 miles. My speedometer is currently on 2,439.

Has anyone else had something like this happen to them?

P.S. When I started my pickup up after I was finished hunting it didn't smoke.

Shaners · February 17, 2002

I never noticed any smoke on mine... I checked the oil level when the "change engine oil" light came on at 3065 miles, and it was down 2 holes (not too bad for 7 months of driving). I'd keep an eye on it if I was you and make sure you tell your dealer. He won't be able to duplicate it I'm sure, but at least it will be logged in his computer.

CMNTMXR81 · February 18, 2002

Most likely oil. What happens is that is slips past the valve guides overnight (or extended period of rest) and then when you start it up, it blows off whatever seeped into the combustion chamber.

This was a common problem on 4.3L V6's and some SBC V8's but I have yet to hear it on the HD's unless you have an 8.1. But it is in such small amounts which explains why you aren't noticing any oil consumption.

1BADHD · February 19, 2002

I had this happen to me over the weekend. I had my truck parked for 2 days on a slight hillside. I went to start it and a big smoke cloud come out of the tailpipe. It went away right away but man it was a big cloud.

CMNTMXR81 · February 19, 2002

Yup, that's what it was then. The valve guides sometimes let oil slip by, especially after it's sat for awhile and if a valve is open, it'll go right into the combustion chamber. Otherwise, it'll sit on the back side of the valve and then once it opens it'll drain into the combustion chamber.

Heck, mine does it each time I start it but that's cause it'll sit a day or two between me running it up.

BDBWTE · April 30, 2002

Have the compression on the pistons checked and make sure everything is okay. The only reason for gray smoke would be oil burning in the combustion chamber. Also check the spark-plugs for oil to see if the valve guides or the piston rings are no good. The only things I could think about is that the piston rings are allowing blow-by letting oil up into the combustion chamber and burning with the gas. Or the valve guide have gone bad and are letting oil into the combustion chamber. ;)