Ford 3000 diesel smokes at idle, but not under load

Coastguard

New User
Hi

My Ford 3000 diesel smokes at idling, but not at higher revs or load.
Injector nozzles ok, starts ok, clean air filter etc. Have tried working it hard for hours with a concrete mixer. Got minimum blowthrough past piston rings, no crankcase pressure to speak of.

Could it be time for a cylinder head rebuild?
 
My 4600 acts like that, too. Has as long as I can
remember, and didn't change after a complete
overhaul. Just the way it is, I guess.
 

Not sure about this but doesn't the cold start system inject fuel into the intake. Wondering if the excess fuel is what is making smoke. I do not think I would be concerned as long as it is doing everything else OK.
 

My 4000 has hazed a little out the pipe at idle since I completely rebuilt it back in 2000, doesn't use oil and has plenty of power so I don't give it much thought.
 
Thanks for tips guys.
Preheater burner in intake is brand new, do not suspect that one.

I'll leave it as it is then, guess these engines like having a little load when running. That goes for a lot of diesels in my experience...
How do yours start? Mine takes a few turns to catch, same with my grandfathers 99,99% mint condition Ford 3000. Some MF135 with 3 cyl Perkins diesel start if you stare at them, and they're very much alike. Many parts are interchangeable between 3000 and 135. Noise also seems a bigger problem with the Ford 3 cyl engine
 

The color of the smoke tells a lot. Very light blue-white is normal on start-up until warmed up. Blue is oil burning but you will smell the oil too. Heavier white continuing when warmed up shows wear. Black with gray mixed in under a heavy load when up to temp is after the pump shop rebuilds it with double the fuel delivery, LOL.
 
The Ford engines with the CAV DPA pumps use much more advance than most other engine builders, Ford has 8-9 degrees speed advance which is 16-18 at the crankshaft. That's why they are more noisy. Most Perkins models use fixed phase timing, or very little advance if any. Some Perkins use retard start advance for cold starting, then move to full advance soon after engine is running, usually 4 degrees pump for 8 degrees at the crankshaft..
 
Its light blue/white smoke, and it doesnt matter if it is warm or cold; at idling it smokes a little... Puffs when I start driving or rev the engine and then its all clear after a few seconds.
I dont suspect that it had a hard life with the previous owner, other than living outside, most of its hours is with a digger in the 3 point.
Timing is probably due for a check, will check that to when I get home.
 
Oil leaking past the valve stems in the head. Drips down into the combustion chamber. Shows up at idle because rate of leakage is small.
At higher rpms, not enough volume vs engine exhaust volume to see it. That's my SWAG.
 

Probably has more to do with internal timing in the inj pump and possibly injection pressure.
As I said before my 4000 has hazed a little out the pipe for the past 17 years and nearly 2000 hrs, it starts lazy like the timing is slow but the pump is on the mark, puffs out a decent whitish blue smoke till it warms up then a light whitish haze, doesn't use oil and has plenty power with good throttle response.
My 4000SU doesn't smoke, it starts instantly with a crisp rattle and has a snappier throttle response but doesn't have any more noticeable power than the 4000.
The same pump shop build the pump and injectors for both tractors.
Neither tractor has the original pump so comparing tag info won't help, I told the pump shop to build the pumps to 69-later 4000 spec's.
For me as long as it doesn't use oil, starts off the key, doesn't miss or knock and doesn't belch out clouds of smoke, I'm not going to worry about it.
 

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