Seems to be steam, but I'm not positive. Only occurs at higher RPM under load, like motoring at 2000 RPM. Never any black smoke, no film can be seen on the water, and it dissipates "up." Suspected insufficient sea water flow. Impeller looks good. Any ideas? Is this just "normal?" jv
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more info needed
We need more information: did you just get the boat(engine)?.. or just notice the white smoke. Is it only when you start up or all the time? If it is a relatively new condition, the smoke may be water vapor. Black and gray/blue is unspent diesel fuel; white is water. The water may be from a blown head gasket. I would not plan any long motoring trips until you get some answers. good luck and keep us posted. joe
We need more information: did you just get the boat(engine)?.. or just notice the white smoke. Is it only when you start up or all the time? If it is a relatively new condition, the smoke may be water vapor. Black and gray/blue is unspent diesel fuel; white is water. The water may be from a blown head gasket. I would not plan any long motoring trips until you get some answers. good luck and keep us posted. joe
more info
I've had the boat and motor a couple of years. The motor is a 1984, with about 2300 hours on it. Runs strong, no black or blue smoke ever, no oil usage, no coolant loss. White smoke only happens under a significant load, like motoring at 2000 RPM, which I'm guessing is about 85% power. Incidentally, this is a C36 with a 15x13 two blade prop, fairly clean bottom; engine runs to about 3200 RPM no load, 2200 max in gear at about 6 knots. Its not a lot of smoke, it does increase at higher than 2000 RPM, but not much, it goes away completely at low RPM. jv
I've had the boat and motor a couple of years. The motor is a 1984, with about 2300 hours on it. Runs strong, no black or blue smoke ever, no oil usage, no coolant loss. White smoke only happens under a significant load, like motoring at 2000 RPM, which I'm guessing is about 85% power. Incidentally, this is a C36 with a 15x13 two blade prop, fairly clean bottom; engine runs to about 3200 RPM no load, 2200 max in gear at about 6 knots. Its not a lot of smoke, it does increase at higher than 2000 RPM, but not much, it goes away completely at low RPM. jv
After Everything You've Done...
...now this! John Hope you didn't drop the engine when you were reinstalling it! (re the oil leak post) I'd check Calder's in the disel engine section. I don't have it here right now, but he has a discussion about different colored smoke and what it means. I'm SURE it hasn't been too cold where you are these days, so just check it out. I don't think it's much of a problem, could be after all of your recent efforts, which are remarkable and applauded, may have made you somewhat over sensitive. As long as the engine temperature is behaving... Good luck, Stu
...now this! John Hope you didn't drop the engine when you were reinstalling it! (re the oil leak post) I'd check Calder's in the disel engine section. I don't have it here right now, but he has a discussion about different colored smoke and what it means. I'm SURE it hasn't been too cold where you are these days, so just check it out. I don't think it's much of a problem, could be after all of your recent efforts, which are remarkable and applauded, may have made you somewhat over sensitive. As long as the engine temperature is behaving... Good luck, Stu
Cold?
1. Has it been cold in Westport? 2. Check your air filtre. Not those ... either nothing or - oh,oh
(fuel pump, valves, pistons ...) Gord
1. Has it been cold in Westport? 2. Check your air filtre. Not those ... either nothing or - oh,oh
(fuel pump, valves, pistons ...) GordI get white smoke when it is really humid
John, I will get white smoke on my M-25 when I push it also. I usually see it on humid days. I think it is just because of the moisture in the exhaust. I have heard that a diesel under heavy load will smoke a little. Your prop may be a little over-pitched for the engine. I have only a 15x9 2 blade. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
John, I will get white smoke on my M-25 when I push it also. I usually see it on humid days. I think it is just because of the moisture in the exhaust. I have heard that a diesel under heavy load will smoke a little. Your prop may be a little over-pitched for the engine. I have only a 15x9 2 blade. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Have you checked your antifreeze levels?
This is typically a sign of a cracked head with coolant leaking into it in other engines. Check your coolant level to make sure you aren't losing any. Griffin s/v Brighid's Crossing Erie Islands
This is typically a sign of a cracked head with coolant leaking into it in other engines. Check your coolant level to make sure you aren't losing any. Griffin s/v Brighid's Crossing Erie Islands
Good input
The last few: thanks. It was indeed veyr, very humid when I saw the smoking - the on-board hygrometer read 85%. I'm not losing coolant, thanks goodness. I have Peter Compton's "Troubleshooting Marine Diesels," which is an excellent resource. His diagnosis for white smoke is to determine if its steam or oil, and if steam, its most likely insufficient coolant flow, if I recall correctly. I'm actually not positive that its steam, although it dissipates up and away, rather than hanging on the water, so it probably is. I checked the impeller, which was good. I was suspicious since I recently installed a new Forespar raw water strainer, but that thing has enough capacity for twin V8s, so its probably not the problem. The exhasut is mid-last season, and the injection nipple is clear. Maybe its normal! jv
The last few: thanks. It was indeed veyr, very humid when I saw the smoking - the on-board hygrometer read 85%. I'm not losing coolant, thanks goodness. I have Peter Compton's "Troubleshooting Marine Diesels," which is an excellent resource. His diagnosis for white smoke is to determine if its steam or oil, and if steam, its most likely insufficient coolant flow, if I recall correctly. I'm actually not positive that its steam, although it dissipates up and away, rather than hanging on the water, so it probably is. I checked the impeller, which was good. I was suspicious since I recently installed a new Forespar raw water strainer, but that thing has enough capacity for twin V8s, so its probably not the problem. The exhasut is mid-last season, and the injection nipple is clear. Maybe its normal! jv
Could be several things
John, When I first read your question, I remembered seeing something on the subject. Over time, my faulty memory finally kicked in and came up with the idea of looking at the Westerbeke web page. In the technical support, FAQ's, under trouble shooting, you'll find Westerbeke's answer. I've added the URL for your convenience. Good Luck! Mark "Remy Nights" Des Moines, Washington
John, When I first read your question, I remembered seeing something on the subject. Over time, my faulty memory finally kicked in and came up with the idea of looking at the Westerbeke web page. In the technical support, FAQ's, under trouble shooting, you'll find Westerbeke's answer. I've added the URL for your convenience. Good Luck! Mark "Remy Nights" Des Moines, Washington
Thanks
Good link. I will keep my eye on it, but I suspect it was either the high humidity or insufficient raw water. jv
Good link. I will keep my eye on it, but I suspect it was either the high humidity or insufficient raw water. jv
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