2000 F250 white smoke at startup

[Dirtyblackhoe]

I have searched and I can't put my hands on what this is?

My truck is a 2000 F250 with 218K miles on it...it is sometimes hard to start (5-10 seconds or so) but every morning it white smokes for about 30 seconds...once I start to drive it down the road (slowly) it goes away almost instantly...i am not sure what is the problem. I am personally thinking that it is the GP relay.

I took it to the dealer and after hooking it up to the diagnostics and everything (also hearing my fuel pump whining) he seems to think that it is a fuel pump issue. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[hheynow]

A bit of white smoke upon start-up is normal as long as it goes away in a minute or two. It's unburned fuel. As long as the exhaust turns clear your truck is acting normal.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

White smoke at start-up is fuel that has not completely burned because the combustion chamber isn't yet hot enough. Once the engine runs for a bit, that temperature rises enough for more complete combustion. When that happens, the smoke disappears.

When was the last time the glow plugs were changed? The GP relay is easy enough to check with a volt meter. Hook it up and turn the key to the run position. If the GP relay is working, the volt meter will register a reading until the PCM turns the GP relay off.

I think you can check glow plugs without pulling the valve covers. Facing towards the center of the engine on both valve covers, you'll see a wire harness connector. It should have about 9 wires, give or take 1. The four on the ends (two on each end) are the power wires for the glow plugs. Disconnect the connector and take a miltimeter and set it to read ohms. Attach one wire to a ground, and with the other test probe, touch each contact for the glow plugs where it goes under the valve cover. It's like checking a light bulb. If you get an ohm reading, it should be good. If you don't get a reading, you have an open circuit, and a bad glow plug. (or a bad wire, end result is the same.)

A couple of years ago when I did my injectors, I also changed my glow plugs too. After pulling the old ones, I checked them out. IIRC, 3 of the 8 were bad.

If the dealer wants to replace a $350+ fuel pump to fix start up smoke, I'd look for a different shop. If it starts & runs, the fuel pump is functioning well enough to not be the cause.

 

[Dirtyblackhoe]

If the dealer wants to replace a $350+ fuel pump to fix start up smoke, I'd look for a different shop. If it starts & runs, the fuel pump is functioning well enough to not be the cause.

I appreciate the help man...would a bad GLOW PLUG signal a code? also...the dealership said mine was whining really loudly (which it is) and said that it might have nothing to do with it, but if I bought the part ($155 from Napa) that they would put it on for free.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

I appreciate the help man...would a bad GLOW PLUG signal a code? also...the dealership said mine was whining really loudly (which it is) and said that it might have nothing to do with it, but if I bought the part ($155 from Napa) that they would put it on for free.

I don't think a bad GPR will trip a code. It shouldn't be that hard to replace. A GPR is basically like a starter relay. A couple of mounting bolts, a couple of electric cables and a wire or two and you're done. But I'd check it out first & see if that's really your problem.

$155 for what a fuel pump or GPR? For a GPR, that sounds a bit steep to me. I'd be careful about getting fuel pumps from auto parts places. I've heard of many people who go for a new fuel pump and the parts place tries to sell them the one that goes in the tank. There ain't one in the tank on our diesels, only the gassers. The fuel pump for a 7.3 is on the left frame rail under the driver's seat.

I've never heard of an auto parts place installing parts???

 

[Dirtyblackhoe]

I don't think a bad GPR will trip a code. It shouldn't be that hard to replace. A GPR is basically like a starter relay. A couple of mounting bolts, a couple of electric cables and a wire or two and you're done. But I'd check it out first & see if that's really your problem.

I honestly believe that it is the GPR as well so that is going to be the next step...I was saying 155 for the fuel pump...I bought one from advance auto and installed it...the thing was dead right off the bat...I hate buying parts that are ****...

 

[rotorholic]

I have the same problem with the white smoke, Seem to happen more when its cold but also happens when I come to a stop light. The engine lopes like if its running rich? Then other times it idles fine?

 

[CKyle494]

Alot of people, including myself. have installed a STANCOR "HEAVY DUTY" relay in place of the stock and POS napa (NAPPY) and those other crappy kids out of school thinking their a REAL hot-rodder. I got mine from MOUSER, you can click HERE to check them out. They were cheaper than anywhere I found, and got it fast. Good luck. I seem to be going through the same CRAP with mine @ 225k. I think it is the injectors that is causing my oil burn problem (just had whole motor rebuilt and same results. 2 new turbo's, not one drop leaking out even if parked for a week. Getting frustrated with the darn thing. But she runs like a top, and still gets great fuel mileage.

 

[Dirtyblackhoe]

Alot of people, including myself. have installed a STANCOR "HEAVY DUTY" relay in place of the stock and POS napa (NAPPY) and those other crappy kids out of school thinking their a REAL hot-rodder. I got mine from MOUSER, you can click HERE to check them out. They were cheaper than anywhere I found, and got it fast. Good luck.

awesome...does it mount and install just like the factory one...that is the one I was thinking of ordering!

I have no clue on the whole engine rebuild...the dealer has already replaced an injector to fix this issue and I don't think it did a damn thing...I mean I know that the dealer I take it to is trustworthy (I know the shop manager) but it gets old having them just try **** to try it!

 

[CKyle494]

Yep I know the feeling. They still charge you even though that part didn't entirely "fix" it. But it was part of the "problem", they still have no ******* clue. As far as the relay, it mounts in the factory spot just has to be turned sideways. It is easy to do, wires may get a little tight but fits PERFECT. Alot better and alot more HD than the OEM or aftermarket ones that some punk kid gives you from the parts store, so you have to take it back because he actually give you a starter relay. Get the wrong one and your glow plugs stay on or your battery goes dead in just a day...... ask some of the people here, I'm sure they can tell you more about that.