Smoke Diagnosis Charts

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 RAM Pickup and 2011 RAM Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The following charts include possible causes and corrections for excess or abnormal exhaust smoke. Small amounts of white smoke or water vapor (at certain times) are to be considered normal for a diesel powered engine.

NOTE:

Visible black smoke at the tail pipe is an indication of an aftertreatment (diesel particulate filter) failure. Follow inspection/replacement guidelines in the exhaust section of the service information to correct aftertreatment failure. The diesel particulate filter MAY have failed due to the possible causes listed below.

EXCESSIVE BLACK SMOKE
POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
Aftermarket components installed.	Inspect for aftermarket components or evidence of modifications.
Air filter dirty or plugged.	Check Filter Minder® at air filter. Refer to AIR CLEANER, Removal, 6.7L .
Air intake system restricted.	Check entire air intake system including all hoses and tubes for restrictions, collapsed parts or damage. Repair/replace as necessary.
Air Leak in Intake System.	Check entire air intake system, including all hoses and tubes for cracks, loose clamps and/or holes in rubber ducts. Refer to COOLER and HOSES, Charge Air, Diagnosis and Testing, 6.7L . Also check intake manifold for loose mounting hardware.
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) active or multiple, intermittent DTC's.	Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article.
Engine Control Module (ECM) not calibrated or ECM calibration out of date.	Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article. Check for Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) updates.
Exhaust system restriction is above specifications.	Check exhaust pipes for damage/restrictions. Repair as necessary.
Fuel grade is not correct or fuel quality is poor.	Temporarily change fuel brands and note condition. Change brand if necessary. Refer to Owners manual for proper fuel specifications.
Fuel injector malfunctioning.	A DTC may have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Perform "Cylinder Performance Test" or "Cylinder Cutout Test" using scan tool to isolate individual cylinders (Refer to DRIVEABILITY - NON-DTC BASED DIAGNOSTICS - DIESEL article.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning.	A DTC may have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article).
Fuel return system restricted.	Check fuel return lines for restriction. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing .
Intake manifold restricted.	Remove restriction. Remove the intake air horn to inspect for grid heater fouling, inspect the EGR airflow control valve to ensure valve is in the open position
Raw fuel in intake manifold. Fuel injectors leaking on engine shutdown.	Fuel injectors leaking on engine shutdown. Do Fuel Injector Test. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing . Also refer to DRIVEABILITY - NON-DTC BASED DIAGNOSTICS - DIESEL article.
Turbocharger air intake restriction.	Remove restriction.
Turbocharger damaged or malfunctioning.	Turbocharger damaged or malfunctioning. Refer to TURBOCHARGER, Inspection, 6.7L .
Turbocharger has excess build up on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes.	Refer to Turbocharger System, Cleaning, 6.7L .
Turbocharger externally damaged.	Check for excessive oil in compressor and/or turbine housing and in turbocharger exhaust pipe. Refer to TURBOCHARGER, Inspection, 6.7L .
Turbocharger wheel clearance out of specification.	Refer to TURBOCHARGER, Inspection, 6.7L .

EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE
POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
Aftermarket components installed.	Inspect for aftermarket components or evidence of modifications.
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) active or multiple, intermittent DTC's.	Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article. Check for Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) updates.
Intake manifold heater circuit not functioning correctly in cold weather.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Also check heater elements for correct operation.
Coolant leaking into combustion chamber.	Do pressure test of cooling system. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing .
In cold ambient temperatures, engine block heater is malfunctioning (if equipped).	Refer to HEATER, Engine Block, Removal .
Engine coolant temperature sensor malfunctioning.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Also check thermostat operation. Refer to THERMOSTAT, Diagnosis and Testing . Powertrain or Engine Control Module not calibrated or has incorrect calibration. A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article).
Engine Control Module (ECM) not calibrated or has incorrect calibration.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Perform fuel injection pump performance test.
Low supply flow to the injection pump.	Test the fuel delivery system (Refer to FUEL SYSTEM article).
Fuel grade not correct or fuel quality is poor.	Temporarily change fuel brands and note condition. Change brand if necessary. Refer to Owners Manual for correct fuel specification.
Fuel heater element or fuel heater temperature sensor malfunctioning. This will cause wax type build-up in fuel filter.	Refer to Fuel Heater Testing. Refer to HEATER, Fuel, Diagnosis and Testing .
Fuel injector malfunctioning.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Perform the cylinder cut-out test using a scan tool to isolate individual cylinders. If unable to isolate individual cylinder, perform Injector Return Flow Test to identify failed injector or fuel connector tube. In the event that return flow is normal, use Injector Blocking Tool 9864, to block the high pressure fuel line at the rail one at a time. This test may isolate and injector nozzle that is leaking fuel into the cylinder. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing . Also refer to DRIVEABILITY - NON-DTC BASED DIAGNOSTICS - DIESEL article. .
Fuel injector protrusion not correct.	Check washer (shim) at bottom of fuel injector for correct thickness. Refer to INJECTOR(S), Fuel, Installation .
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article). Perform fuel injection pump performance test (Refer to FUEL SYSTEM article).
Fuel transfer (lift) pump malfunctioning.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article).
Intake/Exhaust valve adjustments not correct (too tight).	Refer to Standard Procedure .
Intake manifold air temperature sensor malfunctioning.	A DTC should have been set (Refer to appropriate Electrical Diagnostics article).
Internal engine damage (scuffed cylinder).	Analyze engine oil and inspect oil filter to locate area of probable damage.

NOTE:

Visible blue smoke at the tail pipe is an indication of an aftertreatment (diesel particulate filter) failure. Follow inspection/replacement guidelines in the exhaust section of the service information to correct aftertreatment failure. The diesel particulate filter MAY have failed due to the possible causes listed below.

EXCESSIVE BLUE SMOKE
POSSIBLE CAUSE	CORRECTION
Dirty air cleaner or restricted turbocharger intake duct.	Check Filter Minder® at air filter housing. Refer to AIR CLEANER, Removal, 6.7L .
Obstruction in exhaust manifold.	Remove exhaust manifold and inspect for blockage. Refer to MANIFOLD, Exhaust, Removal, 6.7L .
Restricted turbocharger drain tube.	Remove turbocharger drain tube and remove obstruction.
Crankcase ventilation system plugged.	Inspect crankcase ventilation system for function.
Valve seals are worn, brittle, or improperly installed.	Replace valve stem oil seals. Refer to VALVES, Intake and Exhaust, Removal, 6.7L .
Valve stems and/or guides are worn.	Remove valves and inspect valves and guides. Refer to VALVES, Intake and Exhaust, Removal, 6.7L .
Broken or Improperly installed piston rings.	Tear down engine and inspect piston rings.
Excessive piston ring end gap.	Remove pistons and measure piston ring end gap. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE - PISTON RING FITTING .
Excessive cylinder bore wear and taper.	Remove pistons and measure cylinder bore wear and taper. Refer to Standard Procedure .
Cylinder damage.	Remove pistons and inspect cylinder bore for cracks or porosity. Repair with cylinder liner if necessary. Refer to Standard Procedure .
Piston damage.	Remove pistons and inspect for cracks and/or holes. Measure piston for out-of-round and taper. Refer to Inspection .
Turbocharger failure.	Refer to TURBOCHARGER, Diagnosis and Testing, 6.7L .
Fuel injector protrusion not correct.	Check washer (shim) at bottom of fuel injector for correct thickness. Refer to INJECTOR(S), Fuel, Installation .