6.0 smoke when hot

[Paulliewog]

I started my truck and everything seemed normal. After a short trip up the highway I got back to city streets and noticed a cloud of smoke behind me. I pulled over and still see the smoke coming out the exhaust but doesn't smell like coolant, i.e. no sweet smell. I had EGR cooler fail before, but this doesn't seem to be the same failure. First EGR blew steam like crazy. Is this the beginning of another failure? I checked codes and nothing. Hope you can help.

[JustinOOO9]

Sounds like oil cooler signs. Have you checked the fifference between your engine coolant temp, and engine oil temp? If nore then 15 apart once up to operating temp your oil cooler is clogging, clogged. Clogged oil coolers cause multiple egr replacements

[Paulliewog]

Good point. My next step to check that out, simple enough. Thanks for the input. Now just need some better weather up here.

[kaya@bernhausen]

are you down any coolant?
you can pull the egr valve and have a look at it/inside the intake plenum. look for any signs of coolant contamination. if you see any signs of moisture in there, the egr cooler is done.
if you didn't do the oil cooler last time, good chance that it caused the same failure. repair the problem, not just the symptom.

[Paulliewog]

Originally Posted by kaya@bernhausen

are you down any coolant?
you can pull the egr valve and have a look at it/inside the intake plenum. look for any signs of coolant contamination. if you see any signs of moisture in there, the egr cooler is done.
if you didn't do the oil cooler last time, good chance that it caused the same failure. repair the problem, not just the symptom.

Coolant is down, but still see some in the bottle. I only drove about a mile while smoke was pouring out. At least I got the truck in the driveway!!
I replaced the EGR valve about a month ago as it was stuck open with sludge, looked like melted black rubber actually. I have periodically been adding coolant, about 2 gallons in last 2 months. I was starting to wonder if head gasket were going, and pushing the coolant out.
As for the oil cooler and egr cooler, that was done under warranty, but I am not sure what they really did. The service advisor mentioned it but I didnt see it on the bill. I know the oil cooler is the culprit for the EGR cooler failures. I guess its time to pull it apart myself. Thanks for the input.

[kaya@bernhausen]

if you pulled the egr valve a week ago and it was covered in sludge, that's where your coolant and smoke is coming from/going

[dannyboy950]

I would agree with the egr cooler except he states the smoke doesn't smell like coolant, no sweet smell. Maybe he has 2 problems going on a small coolantleak and then fuel issues causeing the heavy smoke. Maybe masking the coolant smell.

[Paulliewog]

Originally Posted by kaya@bernhausen

if you pulled the egr valve a week ago and it was covered in sludge, that's where your coolant and smoke is coming from/going

I'm going to pull the cooler this weekend and plug it. I heard somewhere that you get some expansion plugs and weld them into each end of the cooler. Then put it back together and run really easy till spring, after which I will be getting Bullet Proof Diesels EGR cooler and their oil cooler kit.

[kaya@bernhausen]

why do the same job twice?
also, you'll need to block off the egr port on the up pipe as well

[Paulliewog]

Originally Posted by kaya@bernhausen

why do the same job twice?
also, you'll need to block off the egr port on the up pipe as well

Why would I need to block off the EGR port on the up pipe when the cooler will be welded shut at the inlet?? I know the "y" is still there, but the gases will hit a "brick wall" at the welded in expansion plug at the EGR cooler.
As for why do the job twice, I know I have to fix the oil cooler#1. That being said, I don't plan, and will not be doing ANY long distance driving or any load carrying. If the oil temps exceed anything above 190 at our -30'F temps then I have other issues, like even starting my truck for that matter. I just want my truck to be legal, and for now, it won't be but, it will be soon with some product from BulletProof Diesel. I got their FICM upgrade and it is awesome. Try it, you'll love it!!