Puff of white smoke after idling at stop lights

[swilson143]

During normal driving I'm getting a puff of white smoke each time I take off after sitting at a stop light for a few seconds or more. Just started a couple days ago. I'm running the economy tune... last week was still running the tow tune from towing our Toy Hauler the previous weekend. Truck has 60k miles and has lived an easy life. I only started towing the Toy Hauler a few months ago. On cold starts (high idle) I think I'm also seeing some white smoke, though not much.

No engine lights, no loss of power, except for these puffs of white smoke. If it was a normally aspirated gas motor I'd be guessing valve guide seals... but these diesels seem pretty complicated to me. What do you think it could be?

I'm really trying to decide if its critical to get it to the dealer now... or safe for a couple more weeks. I've got a 2-day camping trip planned for the weekend after next. Once we get back from that I've got nothing planned, so I would love to wait until then to let the dealer have it.

Thanks for your input,
Scott

[05StrokeStack]

Mine lets off a puff on start up when cold and then a little when I first pull out of the driveway. But then it seems to clear up. I was also wondering what it was. It seems to drive fine, like you said.

[alwil]

Mine is doing this also.

[swilson143]

Anyone know what's causing this????

[j_cyrus3]

Mine was smoking at idle, and about 10-20ft after take off.... It ended up being the egr cooler.

[06SuperDuty]

I has the same thing going on. Had in to the dealer many times. Had the EGR cooler and oil cooler replaced on the first trip. Four injecters on the second trip. and a turbo rebuild on the third before my white smoke at idle cleared up. Good luck!!

[swilson143]

Crap. Mine is getting worse fast. Idling in the driveway after a cold start it'll make the whole driveway hazy with a thin cloud of white smoke. And while driving my small white puffs of smoke have turned into a medium clouds of white smoke when taking off from stops. Gets much better after the motor gets up to temp.

After this weekend's camping trip I guess its going to the dealer.

Does the 100k engine warranty cover things like turbos? or is it just the internals of the motor? I'm at 59k miles now.

Scott

[alwil]

I think its motor in general

[Firemanbill]

the 100k warranty does cover that. I had the same issue last spring and they replaced the EGR cooler as well as a lot of other stuff...

now it is doing it again so back to the shop we go.

[swilson143]

I tore into it last night to remove the EGR block off before going to the dealer and put the cat back in. It maybe multiple things, but it is DEFINITELY the turbo leaking oil. The air pipe on the passenger side from the intercooler to the turbo had oil dripping from it. We'll see what else the dealer finds.