12HT White Smoke Under Load

[marshcat]

I'm noticing a significant amount of white smoke from my 12HT HJ61 when under load - things like flooring the pedal in 2nd gear or climbing a hill in 3rd. The smoke seems worse when the engine is cold.

Could this be a fuel issue? The diesel injection pump needing an adjustment. Other than the smoke the engine seems to run smoothly with enough power to cruise comfortably at 75mph on the highway.

 

[duncanrm]

Any oil consumption, or coolant loss?

Was it a sudden change from not much smoke to significant?

Is your turbo still making boost?

 

[marshcat]

No coolant loss. Dipstick looks good so if there is any oil consumption, it's minimal. I'm not sure if it's been a sudden change - I was traveling for a few weeks and didn't drive the 60. Then yesterday noticed the white smoke out my back window going up a hill yesterday.

The green "turbo" light does turn on when I put my foot down. But other than that light I don't know if there's boost. Is there an easy way to check?

 

[duncanrm]

White smoke is most often very significant diesel overfuelling.. this can come about because you have no boost, but you're still dumping fuel in.. if you are not down on power its not likely to be this. Other things to consider is that its steam and you're losing coolant, or its oil burning due to a turbo seal failure.

Did it clear up as the engine warmed up?

 

[marshcat]

Update - the smoke

White smoke is most often very significant diesel overfuelling.. this can come about because you have no boost, but you're still dumping fuel in.. if you are not down on power its not likely to be this. Other things to consider is that its steam and you're losing coolant, or its oil burning due to a turbo seal failure.

Did it clear up as the engine warmed up?

It definitely diminishes as the engine warms up but doesn't go away completely. I may be down on power - I honestly have no reference point.

I'm thinking this winter I'll pull the turbo and send it away for a rebuild. Certainly can't hurt after 37 years.

 

[duncanrm]

Get the injectors rebuilt as well.. after 37 years their spray pattern wont be great.. this can contribute to a light level of smoke too.

 

[marshcat]

Get the injectors rebuilt as well.. after 37 years their spray pattern wont be great.. this can contribute to a light level of smoke too.

any recommendations for an injector rebuild shop?

 

[duncanrm]

any recommendations for an injector rebuild shop?

Only in Australia! They are not complicated injectors, very old school - any good diesel shop should not even blink at a request to rebuild them.

 

[aztoyman]

deleted

 

[marshcat]

Only in Australia! They are not complicated injectors, very old school - any good diesel shop should not even blink at a request to rebuild them.

What's a fair price for the rebuild? First shop I emailed quoted $150 - $200 per injector

 

[duncanrm]

What's a fair price for the rebuild? First shop I emailed quoted $150 - $200 per injector

Here in Australia.. I'd expect to pay about $US550 for a full rebuild of 6 injectors - I would expect that they'd come back to me with a kit to refit consisting of 6 injector seats, injector gaskets and return line washers.

 

[marshcat]

Here in Australia.. I'd expect to pay about $US550 for a full rebuild of 6 injectors - I would expect that they'd come back to me with a kit to refit consisting of 6 injector seats, injector gaskets and return line washers.

Might be worth my shipping to Australia! Is there a shop you like?

 

[duncanrm]

Might be worth my shipping to Australia! Is there a shop you like?

This guy is the bomb. JH Hilux | Townsville QLD - https://www.facebook.com/JHhilux.com.au/

(the URL in his Facebook name doesnt work.. deal thru Facebook).. He's great.

 

[marshcat]

This guy is the bomb. JH Hilux | Townsville QLD - https://www.facebook.com/JHhilux.com.au/

(the URL in his Facebook name doesnt work.. deal thru Facebook).. He's great.

Perfect. Just sent him a message. Would love to send off my injectors and my turbo for a rebuild together.

 

[marshcat]

I took a longer drive the morning and when the engine is fully at temperature, there's no smoke.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

@marshcat I have this company in Canada bookmarked for my eventual injector pump rebuild. They are highly recommended. "Fred Holmes Fuel Injection" <Home - Fred Holmes Fuel Injection - https://fhfuel.com/>

 

[duncanrm]

I took a longer drive the morning and when the engine is fully at temperature, there's no smoke.

Super..

The 12HT has a glow screen in the intake.. what are the temps like where you are? Maybe its not working.

 

[marshcat]

Super..

The 12HT has a glow screen in the intake.. what are the temps like where you are? Maybe its not working.

Around 6 degrees C the past few days. Not yet below freezing

 

[duncanrm]

Around 6 degrees C the past few days. Not yet below freezing

Still cold!

Anyhow, a bit of a smoke on an old and cold diesel engine is part of the character. Injector rebuilds may assist, making sure the glow screen works too.. But if you're down a bit on compression even those things may not clear the smoke up when cold.

How far did you have to drive before it cleared up?

 

[FJBen]

Super..

The 12HT has a glow screen in the intake.. what are the temps like where you are? Maybe its not working.

If the glow screen is anything like the 13bt, I’m pretty sure it’s the same, it won’t even kick on until it gets below zero. Even then it barely does anything until it’s in the single digits.