Smoke upon startup

[jrdrag]

Hey Guys,

We just bought a '97 F-250 PSD Extended Cab. When you start it up, it smokes for about a mile and a half once you start driving it down the road. We aren't really too concerned with it but just wondering what you guys might think is causing it. It also smokes at idle when cold. It only does this when it is cold. There truck is completely stock.

 

[MUDWHISTLE]

What color? how long do you warm it up when it is cold before you drive? and is it real thick?

 

[jrdrag]

Its a bluish color. It's a pretty thin smoke. We don't exactly have a set time we warm it up for since we have only owned it for 2 days. I would say on average a minute maybe less.

 

[robertoh]

Sounds like your '97might be burning a bit of oil-may have a dirty air cleaner least thats were I would start looking.How many miles on it?Does it smoke lots after going down along hill and then you step on it? If it does I would say the rings are toast.Thats it for my, ,,:tu: ,,BCRobertoh

 

[MUDWHISTLE]

Has it had a complete service? (engine oil and filter, fuel filter and air filter) might also check the fuel pressure.

 

[Crossthreaded Nut]

jrdrag - the bluish white smoke is usually unburned fuel at startup. This is caused by too little heat in the combustion chamber.The glow plug system is designed to provide heat to the combustion chamber but over time and use, the glow plugs and glow plug relay deteriorate and need to be replaced.

As others have suggested, you should change oil, filters, etc. If those don't help the problem, you probably need glow plugs and a relay. They are not difficult to replace and you can find info on this site about how to do it.

Good Luck,

 

[jrdrag]

Thanks guys,

My dad is a mechanic and he told me it was heat related. It doesn't smoke at all once its warm. It has lots of miles but no more than some of the other trucks I have seen. (298000) The oil was just changed but I imagine the glow plugs are original. It starts right up when it is 10 degrees outside though. Again, we aren't all that worried about it, just looking for some opinions.

 

[Rookie]

Mine has done it since I brought it home. Within 100 feet of leaving the driveway it's gone, oil is always up and with the cold snap we had a while back even with new gp's I had some. If it's gone within minutes I wouldnt' worry.
Enjoy your new truck

 

[Tx_Atty]

sounds exactly like what mine does and always has done (only 82.900 miles) and I have had it since new. Regular oil changes too.

 

[MUDWHISTLE]

If you do ave to replace the glow plug relay try to get one from an international deal I did and only paid 26 bucks for verses the 80 that ford wanted. I would imagine IH glow plugs are better price too.