engine smoking gray smoke

NHbalerman · Feb 13, 2018

I got a ford 240 industrial engine on a NH 1283 baler that smokes bad it is gray smoke,I just bought the baler and it has been sitting for awhile ,changed plugs,took carburator apart and cleaned and adjusted it,air cleaner is not hooked up,it runs and cranks good but the smoke is gray not blue,havent ran it enough to see if it is burning oil but if it was it would be blue,does anybody have any suggestions,I am not any kind of expert on carburators and gas engines just know enough to be dangerous.

old · Feb 13, 2018

I would check the oil pan for antifreeze by starting to take it out but stop the moment you star getting drips. If it is antifreeze then oil good chance you have a bad head gasket or other such thing since gray smoke is coolant getting into the combustion chamber.

Blue smoke is oil
Black smoke of running to rich

John T · Feb 13, 2018

Often continued steamy or dirty white or gray (After warm up and condensation is exhausted) is a sign of coolant getting into the exhaust. Some dudes let a bit spray on their hand then look for the sweet smell or taste of anti freeze lol. Could be a cracked block or head or blown head gasket etc etc PLUS the engine can overheat if that happens. Also look for tiny air bubbles in the radiator and pressurizing it. Blue indicates oil burning maybe rings or valve guides seals etc etc while excess black is unburned fuel from over rich operation etc.

Maybe flush and change the fluids and let her warm up good n run a while then see what happens before too much else ?? It may just be a tired n dirty engine that needs a little TLC instead of major work ???

John T

ss55 · Feb 13, 2018

If the engine has been sitting a while, could some of the piston rings be stuck in their grooves? Working it should help to free them. If the carburetor float is set too high or the mixture is too rich it could smoke gray. Has the engine oil been changed or is it the old oil that may have some condensation in it, is there a lot of blow-by?

flying belgian · Feb 13, 2018

If it's been sitting a while rings could be froze. Put some Marvel or Shaffers in the fuel and crankcase and work it hard. I don't know how you would do that on a baler.

guido · Feb 13, 2018

Hello nhbalerman,

If oil and crankcase pressures are o.k. just put it under load and see what happens. Chances are you have some cold stuck rings. Getting the engine up to temperature under load, maybe all you need to do to clear her up!

Guido.

C.Amick · Feb 13, 2018

I agree, rings are probably stuck in the piston grooves. I would keep changing the oil as it gets dirty. Probably going to get some gunk out of it.

Leroy · Feb 14, 2018

So how would stuck rings make the color of the smoke? Anty freeze getting in combustion chamber I can see but stuck rings? Please explain that.

Texasmark1 · Feb 14, 2018

"It may just be a tired n dirty engine that needs a little TLC instead of major work ???"

I am a firm believer in what you say here. I have cleaned up numerous engines that I thought were worn out just to find out that they needed cleaning out. Snake Oil cures have worked for me for many years vs teardowns.....only when SO doesn't solve the problem, or when I buy one that's in need.

engine smoking gray smoke

NHbalerman

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old

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John T

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ss55

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flying belgian

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guido

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C.Amick

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Leroy

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Texasmark1

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