Blue Smoke, death or something less concerning

[RVSSNAKE]

While coming home yesterday from our weekend trip we had gotten caught behind an accident on the interstate for about 45 minutes, idling driving 3-4 mph and repeat.

When we were able to start getting back up to speed what happened I can only describe as a misfire, if that is possible with a diesel, or hesitation two times within about 30 seconds of each other and blue smoke puffed out if the exhaust.

We did experience some hesitations during the trip but no smoke.

We are getting ready to leave in a couple of weeks for a 3000 mile round trip and I don't want anything looming out there that could cause us grief that could be prevented.

2000 Monaco Diplomat w/cummins 8.3

Thanks in advance.

Any help would be appreciated

[NHRA225]

First thing I'd do is change your Fuel filters !
if you Google Blue smoke from diesel you'll find many probable causes, most are concerning, but Oil in the cylinders causes blueish smoke.

[tdcolby]

Could be a simple case of "cold stacking" caused by sitting for 45 minutes. Incomplete combustion in the chamber leading to a buildup in the exhaust which then detonated.

[Gordon Dewald]

Since you are leaving on a trip and wish to avoid any unnecessary issues I would see if you can take it in to a local Cummins dealer. They can run a diagnostic and possibly find a problem. Our neck of the woods the diagnostic is free.

Hopefully fuel filter is the culprit.

[RVSSNAKE]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Since you are leaving on a trip and wish to avoid any unnecessary issues I would see if you can take it in to a local Cummins dealer. They can run a diagnostic and possibly find a problem. Our neck of the woods the diagnostic is free.

Hopefully fuel filter is the culprit.

What neck of the woods are you?

If here in Nashville who do you use for service of this type?

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by RVSSNAKE

What neck of the woods are you?

If here in Nashville who do you use for service of this type?

We are in Canada. Bing says there are 3 Cummins shops located in Nashville. I suggest calling the closest one and talking to the service people.

Note: I have called both Cummins Support line (https://www.cummins.com/customer-assistance) and the local shop and had excellent support from both.

[RVSSNAKE]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

We are in Canada. Bing says there are 3 Cummins shops located in Nashville. I suggest calling the closest one and talking to the service people.

Note: I have called both Cummins Support line (https://www.cummins.com/customer-assistance) and the local shop and had excellent support from both.

Great thanks.

[RacerFF]

I would definitely change the fuel filters. Exact same thing happened to me a few years ago headed to Florida, including the stop and go on the interstate due to construction. It sneezed a couple times here and there and always had the blue smoke. Turns out, I picked up some bad fuel with algae and it clogged the primary filter to the point that I was losing power. Changes the filter, cured the problem. Kept the old filter and cut it apart after getting back home and confirmed the algae. I always carry a set of filters and a wrench on any trip.

[Ivylog]

Take it out and run it hard for 50 miles. If nothing bad happens I would not worry about it. If it still hesitates, change the fuel filters and retest.
When stopped in traffic did you put the tranny in N? If not then you could have overheated it and then the engine.

[RVSSNAKE]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Take it out and run it hard for 50 miles. If nothing bad happens I would not worry about it. If it still hesitates, change the fuel filters and retest.
When stopped in traffic did you put the tranny in N? If not then you could have overheated it and then the engine.

I did contact a couple of service managers and both suggested changing filter first and check lift pump for leaks at the same time.

The plan is to change the filter Saturday morning then take it for a drive.

When in the traffic jam I did shift into neutral and idle up if I felt we were going to sit too long.

Coolant temperature didn't get above 190.

[Robert T]

2004 Endeavor 40 PST

Had a similar problem with blue smoke but only when coasting then accelerating.

Upon accelerating a large buff of blue smoke. I inspected the air filter it was not real bad but it was dirty. I also noticed that the tip of the exhaust pipe a heavy coating of black carbon.

I replaced the air filter and with ten miles of driving all was ok and the exhaust tip was clean.

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by Robert T

2004 Endeavor 40 PST

Had a similar problem with blue smoke but only when coasting then accelerating.

Upon accelerating a large buff of blue smoke. I inspected the air filter it was not real bad but it was dirty. I also noticed that the tip of the exhaust pipe a heavy coating of black carbon.

I replaced the air filter and with ten miles of driving all was ok and the exhaust tip was clean.

Never seen an exhaust tip clean itself.

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by Robert T

2004 Endeavor 40 PST

Had a similar problem with blue smoke but only when coasting then accelerating.

Upon accelerating a large buff of blue smoke. I inspected the air filter it was not real bad but it was dirty. I also noticed that the tip of the exhaust pipe a heavy coating of black carbon.

I replaced the air filter and with ten miles of driving all was ok and the exhaust tip was clean.

Blue smoke is "burning oil" (leaking valve seals, turbo seals, piston rings, etc.), black smoke is "over fuel" (dirty air filter, injector, turbo lag, etc.).

[Roadfrog]

Valve seals.