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Excessive black smoke from diesels means ????

MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Explorer
I guess I thought that heavy black smoke from diesels was from over fueling the pump?? but I am not real sure.I am looking at an 06 duramax crewcab with 300,000 miles, and it runs awesome and idles with out any haze, but when you get on it , it lays coal pretty good. Is this something I can deprogram ?? or is this a turbo thing?? I can get the truck for around 10 and it runs so great other than the black smoke when I get on her. Thanks for any insight!
40 REPLIES 40

Wiley75
Explorer
Explorer
Gemstone wrote:
When I was in mile high Denver for a summer season, my Dodge Cummins started to smoke so bad I took it in fearing injectors were bad. Took it to an independent shop, they found nothing wrong (a "stealer" would have claimed the injectors needed to be replaced). Once I returned to sea level the smoke stopped.....and I always heard that elevation made no difference to a diesel. And the engine was chipped at 20K, I now have just shy of 200K, with no issues, and the original injectors....that said, I too would suggest looking for a truck with less than 300K miles.

Regards
Gemstone


Yep. Unfortunately diesel engines are not exempt to the laws of physics. Modern engines can correct some for this with variable geometry turbochargers, wastegates, and so on. But only to a point. A little black haze is normal to see during heavy throttle applications at high altitude, especially when it's warm outside (which lowers the air density even futher).

mtofell1
Explorer
Explorer
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
A full scan of the truck show no program on it.


I'm pretty sure with that year Dmax once the tune is taken out and the computer reset it shows no trace. The newer ones store the history but the old ones people can still fool the dealer..... and buyers. Just food for thought while shopping. There are other signs of tuners you can look for. Things like gauges or holes in pillar where they once were. There are also places under the hood where you can check for holes various probes and such made. dieselplace.com has a lot of good info. Keep looking.... these are GREAT trucks.

MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Explorer
A full scan of the truck show no program on it. He just put 2 new glow plugs in it and there is no check engine codes on computer. I do feel that this truck has been used for over the road hauling , I know that is probably not a good truck to buy second or third hand, it just runs so good other than the black smoke on heavy throttle. I thank you all for your imput and do believe I should check out another truck. I am really watching midwestdieseltrucks.com they seem to have some unbelievably clean high mile duramax trucks for around 12,000 thanks again!

Tystevens
Explorer
Explorer
tluxon wrote:
Advice asked for is not always advice taken. The OP may have simply wanted to see if he could be talked out of doing what he was thinking of doing. SOMEbody's going to end up buying that truck and taking their chances. Why not him?
Vulcaneer wrote:
...Ever wonder why someone traded it in?
There are numerous reasons, with many of them being no cause for concern. Perhaps the previous owner cashed in on something and decided to trade this one in for a new truck. People don't always keep vehicles just because they were in too good of shape to unload.


Agreed. We got rid of our perfectly good LBZ Duramax due to a 4th child arriving. Nothing at all wrong with the truck, and I thought I'd keep it another 50k miles at least, but, well ... turns out we needed a new Suburban instead!

Still not sure if I like the 4th kid or the Duramax better!
2008 Hornet Hideout 27B
2010 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT, Z71 package, 5.3/6A/3.42
2015 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew, 2.7 Ecoboost/6A/3.55 LS

Prior TVs:
2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ
2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 LT, 5.3/4A/4.10

Tystevens
Explorer
Explorer
larry barnhart wrote:
When we drive around Casa Grande AZ during the winter months and then drive on I-10 and I hit the throttle hard we get black smoke but it is not for long and then I can not get it to smoke if I do it again. Nothing new just a diesel doing what diesels can do.
chevman


Yep, my '06 Duramax would blow a little cloud of black smoke if I hadn't gotten on it in a few days. It would last for a second, maybe (ie, getting on the freeway on-ramp),and then wouldn't smoke anymore no matter what I did. Just had to blow some stuff out every so often, I guess.
2008 Hornet Hideout 27B
2010 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT, Z71 package, 5.3/6A/3.42
2015 Ford F150 XLT Supercrew, 2.7 Ecoboost/6A/3.55 LS

Prior TVs:
2011 Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax LBZ
2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 LT, 5.3/4A/4.10

tluxon
Explorer
Explorer
Advice asked for is not always advice taken. The OP may have simply wanted to see if he could be talked out of doing what he was thinking of doing. SOMEbody's going to end up buying that truck and taking their chances. Why not him?
Vulcaneer wrote:
...Ever wonder why someone traded it in?
There are numerous reasons, with many of them being no cause for concern. Perhaps the previous owner cashed in on something and decided to trade this one in for a new truck. People don't always keep vehicles just because they were in too good of shape to unload.
Tim -
wife Beverly & 2 boys who love camping

2002 K2500 Suburban 8.1L 4.10 Prodigy


2005 Sunnybrook 30FKS HP Dual Cam


Replaced 2000 Sunnybrook 26FK on 8/6/04


<>

Vulcaneer
Explorer
Explorer
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
I am wanting to find out bad because this truck is sweet in my book! It is the sought after year engine and wow does that truck go!! Idles all day like silk and zero haze !!! Just blows black smoke when moderate accelerate. Cold ac, smooth ride, tight front end, no leaks on ground, 4x4 works normal, so we shall see.


So you have made up your mind. Makes me wonder why you even asked. So ignore those that have tried to help. Enjoy your new truck. Your gunna love it. What could possibly go wrong? Ever wonder why someone traded it in?
'12 F350 SB, CC, SRW, 6.7 PSD, 3.55 RAR, 6 spd auto
2015 DRV 38RSS 'Traditions'
Pullrite Super Glide 18K

Retirement = It's all poops and giggles....UNTIL someone Giggles and Poops.

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
When we drive around Casa Grande AZ during the winter months and then drive on I-10 and I hit the throttle hard we get black smoke but it is not for long and then I can not get it to smoke if I do it again. Nothing new just a diesel doing what diesels can do.
chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
64thunderbolt wrote:
That Dmax has a tune in it of some type. If it idles fine but smokes when you stand on it I would bet $$$$$$ it's either programmer or tuner.

x2
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

transamz9
Explorer
Explorer
64thunderbolt wrote:
A friend has a 7.3 with twin pumps, big inj, & 38r turbo. 270K and still runs great. Using them without abusing them is the key if tuned. Mine has been tuned since 100K. Now 157K+. Just have to use common sense. Not knowing the history I would stay away from it.


X2
2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited/2013 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins(sold)/2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET (sold) 2015 Sanibel 3601/2008 Nitro Z9 Mercury 250 PRO XS the best motor made.

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Explorer II
A friend has a 7.3 with twin pumps, big inj, & 38r turbo. 270K and still runs great. Using them without abusing them is the key if tuned. Mine has been tuned since 100K. Now 157K+. Just have to use common sense. Not knowing the history I would stay away from it.
Glen
04 Tail gator XT 34' 5th wheel garage model
200w solar 2 GC2's 800w inv
Truma tankless WH
99 F350 CC DRW 7.3 ais intake, adrenaline hpop, JW valve body,
cooling mist water inj, DP tunes, 4" exh sys
trucool trans cooler added
2011 RZR 900xp

carringb
Explorer
Explorer
64thunderbolt wrote:
That Dmax has a tune in it of some type. If it idles fine but smokes when you stand on it I would bet $$$$$$ it's either programmer or tuner.


Yup. And be prepared for a huge letdown when it goes back to stock. With that many miles, no way will it still run like new if that tuner has been on it for a while.
2000 Ford E450 V10 VAN! 450,000+ miles
2014 ORV really big trailer
2015 Ford Focus ST

64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Explorer II
That Dmax has a tune in it of some type. If it idles fine but smokes when you stand on it I would bet $$$$$$ it's either programmer or tuner.
Glen
04 Tail gator XT 34' 5th wheel garage model
200w solar 2 GC2's 800w inv
Truma tankless WH
99 F350 CC DRW 7.3 ais intake, adrenaline hpop, JW valve body,
cooling mist water inj, DP tunes, 4" exh sys
trucool trans cooler added
2011 RZR 900xp

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Did you click the link I provided? I'm sure there's more info that just on here.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman