My 25xp taking up smoking.....

Ken13559 · May 10, 2015

Cancer cure smoking.

suggest you remove the mixing elbow to check for fouling.
Just last week I noted higher vibration and some smoke and black stain on transom.
Removed the mixing elbow to reveal >50% blockage!
Clean it and problem solved

Bill Roosa · May 10, 2015

bottom fouling can also make the engine work harder and run slower resulting in smoke. How long since the bottom got a cleaning?

RoyS · May 10, 2015

Water in fuel will give you a white smoke also.

Stu Jackson · May 10, 2015

Universals do NOT have the exhaust elbow issues that Yanmars do.

Two completely different animals.

You have an exhaust pipe from the manifold back to the water injection nipple. Yanmars have a factory built elbow which is prone to leakage between the gas and water. On the Universals, what is called the exhaust RISER tends to rarely get clogged but does fail catastrophically from rust at the nipple or other joints.

Check the bottom first, it most likely isn't your exhaust riser.

Morgan donor · May 11, 2015

White smoke is typically unburnt fuel. Adjusting the valves can't hurt, (if properly done). Good place to start for sure. Fuel timing has to be right, and valve lash affects that to a point.
My engine responded to valve adjustment by starting quicker and perhaps a reduction in smoke at start up.

But I'd be prepared for a injector rebuilds.
What do you have for your fuel filtration system?

Glenn17467 · May 11, 2015

Check the inlet to the HX from the raw water pump for salt build up.

JamesG161 · May 11, 2015

All good operating diesel engines "smoke white". We normally quench and reduce the smoke/smell/noise with ocean water in a Riser.

I have about the same hours on my Volvo Penta, but my "white smoke" varies in intensity when...

1) Starting up and cold engine.
2) Idle rpm ( My sea water quench direct drive to engine)
3) Long duration between engine starts (3+ weeks )
4) New addition of fuel additives for injector cleaning, antibacterial, or water emulsifiers. (these treatments are to release and burn fuel contamination"stuff" in the engine.)
5) Perhaps a change in a fuel supplier, doing an antibacterial/water treatment on his tank.

I assume your engine gauges are about same now as "before". Oil pressure low and coolant temperature high would show you engine changes.

You engine hours are "infant" to have a major mechanical problem

Does the engine require a "longer" starts?

Most sea water supply systems have a siphon breaker, high point vent or other named back flow preventer of sea water back flowing through the riser into the engine open exhaust valve when engine is down. Whew that was a mouth full, lol.

Trace your sea water flow path you will find the siphon breaker ( high loop of hose above boat water line).

There is a "check valve" that bleeds air in and no water out. That valve should be cleaned and line cleared 2 times a year. If not working, water will "drip.... drip" water in to riser, fill the exhaust and get into your engine.

Last trick...
Engine coolant, sometimes called fresh water side, should be checked for volume and clarity.
If it appears contaminated then it could be an indicator of other issues.

Note: about surface corroded risers... this is a good thing if you Zinc anode is ok. Cast steel parts should corrode but not excessively. Never clean the protective "rust" off of the interior of your riser.
Jim...

roundlites · May 11, 2015

First requisite for all Diesel engines is clean fuel with no water.

I say again water in fuel is bad. To get water out of the fuel use a good new filter. Drain water from the filter often.

The second is injectors in good condition. Water ruins injectors.

The third run engine in proper rpm range. Do not idle. Idling kills the modern Diesel Engine.

The fourth use a good fuel additive (Marvel Mystery Oil, Sta-bil, Gumout, Stanadyne, Techron, etc.) to keep top end in good condition. Carbon build up between the top on the cylinder and first ring causes smoke.

Fifth keep the lower end clean change the oil and filter. When the oil looks dirty it is.

Last water is bad. Keep fuel filter clean. Carry an extra fuel filter. When engine runs bad drain the water from filter and replace the filter.

JamesG161 · May 11, 2015

Ralph...
Sorry I missed your comment about "progressive smoking".

Check your sea water pump. It may be a worn/hardened impeller. Not enough water to Quench exhaust.
Jim...

PS: a guy named Diesel invented an engine to run on "crap" fuel. Water dissolved in fuel will not damage a diesel engine. Sucking separated off bottom of fuel tank is bad. Thus, a good fuel/water separator will show you if water has separated from fuel.

Glenn17467 · May 11, 2015

If raw water is restricted, white smoke (water vapor) will occur and will increase under load. Temperature should also increase. I had excessive salt build up (90%) at the HX inlet from the raw water pump. At 1500 rpm there was no smoke and the temperature was fine, increase to 1800 rpm and it began to smoke and overheat. I found the salt build up after I had salt water backup into the engine at the raw water pump. Now I clean it out every 3 mos.

slaume · May 11, 2015

Stu Jackson said:
Universals do NOT have the exhaust elbow issues that Yanmars do.

Two completely different animals.

You have an exhaust pipe from the manifold back to the water injection nipple. Yanmars have a factory built elbow which is prone to leakage between the gas and water. On the Universals, what is called the exhaust RISER tends to rarely get clogged but does fail catastrophically from rust at the nipple or other joints.

Check the bottom first, it most likely isn't your exhaust riser.

The Universal engine on my boat has an exhaust elbow. I had smoke issues a few years ago that cleared up when I replaced the exhaust elbow. It also made starting easier, Steve.

Stu Jackson · May 11, 2015

slaume said:
The Universal engine on my boat has an exhaust elbow. I had smoke issues a few years ago that cleared up when I replaced the exhaust elbow. It also made starting easier, Steve.

Steve, some do because of the configuration of the engine and the exhaust systems. No Catalinas that I know of do, though.

Waybad · May 11, 2015

a bit of noise

Stu Jackson said:
Steve, some do because of the configuration of the engine and the exhaust systems. No Catalinas that I know of do, though.

A bit of noise and smoke, bleed injectors it only takes a bit of air in the system to do both.
Note dissolved water in fuel is not good for any diesel engine. You lose lubrication to the tight tolerances in the injector pump. Also if it turns to steam at the injector tip it can blow the tip, (if the tip is extremely hot) and bits and pieces need to go out a valve, If your lucky. Drain water often and use a good fuel filters and do not use additive that dissolve the water and run it threw the engine.
Additives that break it up and then your filter traps are the way to go.
later
Waybad

Dave Groshong · May 11, 2015

This stuff really helped reduce my engine's smoking habit:

http://shop.hunterowners.com/prod.php?17883

WestIslandJohnny · May 11, 2015

Sure way to eliminate the smoke...

After dealing with old engines that smoke, make a ton of noise and SMELL, I've decided to go electric. A complete re-fit can be expensive, but I found a company that is pretty reasonable. Changing out just the power head for my OMC saildrive. Electric motor with a controller that will compensate torque to accommodate my existing outdrive. I will NOT miss the smell of an engine, or the fuel, grease and oil associated with it.

I know it's not an immediate remedy, but it will definitely get rid of the white smoke!

My 25xp taking up smoking.....

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Staff

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