Thick smoke

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by woodtoyz, Dec 16, 2010.

  1. woodtoyz

    woodtoyz Bobtail Member

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    Aug 16, 2010
    Upstate, NY
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    Why do trucks belch out thick black smoke sometimes and other times you cant see any smoke at all? It looks kind of cool.
     
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  3. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Older trucks with alot of miles will smoke from the oil getting past the piston rings.
    Also alot of the older trucks didn't have pollution control devices on them. The newer trucks recycle the unburnt fuel.

    I kind of like the smoke too. Newer trucks will lay a white vapor cloud when you start driving on a cold morning.

    One that smokes really bad probably blew a turbo and is headed to the nearest shop.
     
    rocknroll nik Thanks this.
  4. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Dirty fuel filter, dirty air filter will also contribute.

    I know that the California fuel used to make my truck smoke more as well.
     
  5. Dionysus

    Dionysus Medium Load Member

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    Edmonton, AB
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    When the temperature gets down to about -30, you get two real neat-looking vapor trails that belch from the stacks. Haven't driven anything in years that REALLY smokes.
     
  6. midget28

    midget28 Light Load Member

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    Jan 10, 2007
    What Cheer Iowa
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    Straight pipes and trucks that have had the fuel pump "turned up" .....the black is unburnt diesel fuel. I have an 06 mack that will chug smoke until about 1400rpm the heavier the load the more smoke. I bew the exhaust fins on the turbo once and hd to drive it 30 miles down a 4 lane and it looked like a locomotive.
     
  7. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    Plainfield, IL
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    If it is a pre computer truck, those will smoke because of the mechanical injection pumps. Also because a truck with one of those has most likely been tweaked and turned up so it will smoke more.

    My company truck will smoke a little bit, nothing really in my opinion but its a pre DPF(Diesel Particulate Filter) truck and its a CAT and cats are known for a little smoke.

    All that smoke is is un-burnt fuel because to motor is being lugged or there is to much fuel and to little turbo, atleast that is in the diesel performance side of things. Want more power/smoke, put in a set of bigger injectors and a good fuel system and a good tune to the ECM.
     
  8. Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

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  9. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    Plainfield, IL
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    Sure dont. Here is my pickup with just a little smoke.
     

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  10. milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

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    O and thats before the built trans thats why its spewing out tranny fluid under it.
     
  11. Dionysus

    Dionysus Medium Load Member

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    OR take a look at any railroad locomotive. Clearly (no pun intended) they don't have to come up to the same emissions standards as we do!
     
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