CAT3406E white smoke/Un-burned fuel smell?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by DobleS, Apr 9, 2015.

  1. DobleS

    DobleS Bobtail Member

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    Jan 4, 2015
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    Hello ladies and gents. Have a 1998 Pete 379 with a 3406E/15speed. Motor starts right up without hesitation. Oil pressure reads right at 70psi cold. Engine is spitting out white smoke through stacks as well as crank case vent tube. Also smells like un-burned fuel.

    Anyone have the same issues? If so what things can I check for?

    I have a mechanic with a scan tool coming over tomorrow AM but maybe if someone else has experienced this, they can help me trouble shoot it or at very least school me prior to the mechanic guy comes over to see if he's truly a "savvy" mechanic.

    My thanks for reading my post.
     
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  3. Truck engine machinist

    Truck engine machinist Light Load Member

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    Very good chance that your injectors are not fully seating in head. Injector seats can warp, causing injectors not to seat. This allows combustion gasses to get up to the injector o-rings, and to burn them up. Then, while the truck is sitting, diesel fuel runs into the cylinder. On start-up, the engine then needs to burn all of that fuel at once, causing the conditions that you have explained. This has NOTHING to do with the injector cups or tubes. It can be fixed with the head still on the truck.
     
  4. little cat 500

    little cat 500 Road Train Member

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    Abbottstown PA
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    head gasket or cracked liner
     
  5. Truck engine machinist

    Truck engine machinist Light Load Member

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    If you have a cracked liner or head gasket problem, you most likely will have extra pressure in the cooling system.
     
    T800H and 04 LowMax Thank this.
  6. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    Borispol, Ukraine
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    may be broken nozzle spring.
     
  7. DobleS

    DobleS Bobtail Member

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    Jan 4, 2015
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    Appreciate all the input folks. I got a cylinder cut off test done and they stated that cylinder one was where the problem was. They said it could be an injector at the least or a liner. Getting a new injector put in along with running the overhead adjust. Crossing my toes and fingers that this is all I need to do to it!

    Thanks again! And suggestions keep on coming!
     
  8. DobleS

    DobleS Bobtail Member

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    Jan 4, 2015
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    Thanks for the input. So any way to check this other than take the radiator cap off and watch for air bubbles?

    thanks
     
  9. DobleS

    DobleS Bobtail Member

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    Jan 4, 2015
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    Got the injector changed out and overhead done. Still the same only now I have a knock out of cylinder 1?? It only knocks on acceleration not idling? Any ideas? White smoke still blowing out of the stacks as well as the vent tube coming down from the top cover.

    If worse case scenario is an in frame what aftermarket kit works best? It's. 98 CAT 3406E 14.6 liter 1LW with the 40 pin ECM.

    I priced a cat kit. [COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]GOLD KIT $3790.00 /$2925 cylinder head. Is this a decent price? Can cat part be obtained cheaper somewhere else?

    Thanks again
    [/COLOR]
     
  10. Truck engine machinist

    Truck engine machinist Light Load Member

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    Like I said a week ago, if your injector seat is bad in the head, the new injector will not seat either.
     
  11. Licensed to kill

    Licensed to kill Heavy Load Member

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    Alberta
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    Take a bottle of water and put the overflow hose in it and run the engine. If you are getting combustion pressure in the cooling system (blown head gasket as example) it will blow bubbles in the water bottle.
     
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