Excessive Smoke (Excessive White Smoke)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Inspection	Action
DEFINITION: White smoke under load, idle or start up hot or cold.
Preliminary Inspection	Refer to Symptoms - Engine Controls . Ensure the customer has an actual problem. Check the coolant level in the reservoir. White coolant smoke may be mistaken for blue/gray smoke. If the coolant level is low refer to Loss of Coolant in Engine Cooling. Compare the scan tool data at idle with the scan tool data list. Refer to Scan Tool Data List .
Fuel System Inspection	If excessive smoke is present, inspect for a stuck open fuel injector by performing the following procedure: Remove the ignition 1 relay. Remove the glow plugs. Refer to Glow Plug Replacement - Bank 1 and Glow Plug Replacement - Bank 2 . IMPORTANT: Do not stand in front of the glow plug holes while cranking the engine. Crank the engine while observing the glow plug holes for fuel spray. Replace the fuel injectors for the cylinders that spray fuel. Inspect for contaminated oil or high oil level. Refer to Fuel in Engine Oil in Engine Mechanical - 6.6L. Inspect the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 (with Automatic Transmission) or Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 (with Manual Transmission) .
Sensor Inspection	Inspect the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor. Use the scan tool in order to compare the ECT with the ambient air temperature on a cold engine. If the coolant temperature reading is more than 5 degrees more or less than the ambient air temperature on a cold engine, inspect for a high resistance in the coolant sensor circuit or the sensor itself. Inspect the glow plug system operation. Refer to Glow Plug System Diagnosis . Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF. Observe the actual fuel rail pressure with a scan tool. The actual fuel rail pressure should be between 1.0-1.8 MPa. If it is not, inspect for high resistance in the fuel rail pressure (FRP) sensor circuits or the FRP sensor. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Air Intake System Inspection	Inspect the air cleaner and the air intake ducts for restriction. Inspect for a restriction in the turbocharger charge air cooler. Inspect for a restriction in the intake manifold. Refer to Intake Manifold Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical - 6.6L. Inspect the intake air heater (IAH) for proper operation. Use a scan tool to command the IAH ON and OFF. Refer to DTC P0540 and DTC P0543 .
Engine Mechanical Inspection	Inspect for incorrect basic engine parts such as the cam, the heads, the pistons, etc. Inspect for coolant entering the combustion chamber.