MBE 900 – Section 15.10 Excessive Blue Smoke

Section 15.10
Excessive Blue Smoke

There are several causes for excessive blue exhaust smoke. These probable causes are:‪

• Miscalibrated Dipstick
• Improper Grade of Lubricating Oil
• Defective Turbocharger
• Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit

Section 15.10.1
Troubleshooting Procedure for Miscalibrated Dipstick

To determine if an overfilled crankcase is causing the excessive blue smoke, perform the following:‪

1. Ensure the vehicle is parked on level ground.
2. Drain the oil pan. Refill oil pan to the proper capacity. Refer to "13.1.4 Engine Oil and Filter Changing" .
   1. If a calibration check indicates that the oil level is off by more than 2 mm (0.079 in.), contact Detroit Diesel Customer Support Center at 313-592-5800.
   2. Verify that the correct oil level has eliminated the excessive blue smoke concern; refer to "15.10.2 Test the Engine with the Correct Oil Level" .

Section 15.10.2
Test the Engine with the Correct Oil Level

Perform the following to determine if the correct oil level resolved the excessive blue smoke condition:‪

PERSONAL INJURY ‪
To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked. ‪

1. Start and run the engine.
2. Run the engine at idle under no-load conditions for approximately five minutes, allowing the engine coolant to reach normal operating range, approximately 88-96°C (190-205°F).
3. Visually inspect exhaust for excessive blue smoke.
   1. If the engine smoke emission appears normal, no further troubleshooting is required. Shut down the engine.
   2. If the engine exhaust smoke is excessively blue, shut down the engine. Refer to "15.10.3 Troubleshooting Procedure for Improper Grade of Lubricating Oil" .

Section 15.10.3
Troubleshooting Procedure for Improper Grade of Lubricating Oil

To determine if an improper grade of lubricating oil is causing excessive blue smoke, perform the following:‪

1. Verify that the proper grade of lubricating oil is being used in the engine.
2. See DDC publication Lubricating Oil, Fuel, and Filters (7SE270) for oil specifications.
3. If the oil meets specifications, check for defective turbocharger; refer to "15.10.5 Troubleshooting Procedure for a Defective Turbocharger" .
4. If the oil did not meet specifications, resolve improper grade of oil; refer to "15.10.4 Improper Grade of Lubricating Oil Resolution" . See DDC publication Lubricating Oil, Fuel, and Filters (7SE270) for oil specifications.

Section 15.10.4
Improper Grade of Lubricating Oil Resolution

Perform the following steps to resolve the improper grade of lubricating oil:‪

1. Drain the oil pan and filters. Dispose of oil properly.
2. Refill the engine oil pan with recommended oil. See DDC publication Lubricating Oil, Fuel, and Filters (7SE270) for oil specifications.
3. Verify the oil resolution corrected the excessive blue smoke condition; refer to "15.10.4.1 Test Engine with New Lubricating Oil" .

Section 15.10.4.1
Test Engine with New Lubricating Oil

Perform the following to determine if the new oil level resolved the excessive blue smoke condition:‪

PERSONAL INJURY ‪
To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked. ‪

1. Start and run the engine.
2. Run the engine at idle under no-load conditions for approximately five minutes, allowing the engine coolant to reach normal operating range, approximately 88-96°C (190-205°F).
3. Visually inspect exhaust for excessive blue smoke.
   1. If the engine smoke emission appears normal, no further troubleshooting is required. Shut down the engine.
   2. If the engine exhaust smoke is excessively blue, shut down the engine. Refer to "15.10.5 Troubleshooting Procedure for a Defective Turbocharger" .

Section 15.10.5
Troubleshooting Procedure for a Defective Turbocharger

To determine if a defective turbocharger is causing excessive blue exhaust smoke, perform the following:‪

1. Remove the charge air cooler inlet duct connected between the turbocharger and charge air cooler.
2. Visually inspect the compressor inlet side of the turbocharger.
   1. If excessive engine lube oil is present, replace the turbocharger refer to "6.4.2 Turbocharger Removal" .
   2. Verify replacing the turbocharger corrected the excessive blue smoke concern;refer to "15.10.5.1 Test Engine with Replaced Turbocharger" .

Section 15.10.5.1
Test Engine with Replaced Turbocharger

Perform the following steps to determine if a replaced turbocharger has resolved the excessive blue exhaust smoke condition:‪

PERSONAL INJURY ‪
To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked. ‪

1. Start and run the engine.
2. Run the engine at idle speed with a no-load condition for approximately five minutes, allowing the engine coolant to reach normal operating range, approximately 88-96°C (190-205°F).
3. Visually inspect the exhaust for excessive blue smoke.
   1. If the engine exhaust smoke emission appears normal, no further troubleshooting is required. Shut down the engine.
   2. If the engine exhaust smoke is excessively blue, shut down the engine. Check for worn or damaged valves or cylinder kit; refer to "15.10.6 Troubleshooting Procedure for a Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit" .

Section 15.10.6
Troubleshooting Procedure for a Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit

To determine if a worn or damaged cylinder kit is causing excessive blue exhaust smoke, perform the following:‪

1. Move the vehicle requiring testing to the chassis dynamometer; refer to OEM guidelines.
2. Disconnect and remove the air compressor; refer to "10.1.1 Air Compressor Removal" .

   PERSONAL INJURY ‪
   To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked. ‪

3. Start the engine.
4. Run the engine and bring the engine coolant temperature to normal operating range, approximately 88-96°C (190-205°F).
5. Run the vehicle to full load and rated speed.
6. Attach a manometer calibrated to read pressure in kPa or inches of H₂ O, to the oil dipstick opening.
7. Measure and record crankcase pressure.
8. Shut down the engine.
9. Remove the vehicle from the chassis dynamometer.
10. Review the crankcase pressure test.
    1. If the crankcase pressure was greater than 0.62 kPa (2.5 in. H₂ O), refer to "15.10.7 Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit Repair" .
    2. If the crankcase pressure was less than 0.62 kPa (2.5 in. H₂ O), perform a cylinder compression test; refer to "1.2.2.2 Compression Testing" .
11. Compare the cylinder compression test results to specifications. Refer to "Additional Information" and specifications listed in Table "Compression Testing" .
    1. If cylinder pressure is below specifications, refer to "15.10.7 Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit Repair" .
    2. If cylinder pressure is within specifications, call Detroit Diesel Customer Support Center at 313-592-5800.

Section 15.10.7
Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit Repair

Perform the following steps for worn or damaged intake/exhaust valves or a cylinder kit:‪

1. Remove the cylinder head; refer to "1.2.1 Cylinder Head Removal" .
2. Inspect the cylinder head for worn or damaged valves and worn or damaged valve stem seals; refer to "1.17 Valves" .
3. Inspect the cylinder kit components for worn or damaged liners, pistons or piston rings; refer to "1.15 Pistons, Piston Rings, and Connecting Rods" .
4. Verify repair to cylinder valve(s) or cylinder kit components; refer to "15.10.7.1 Test Engine with Repairs Made to Correct Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit" .

Section 15.10.7.1
Test Engine with Repairs Made to Correct Worn or Damaged Intake/Exhaust Valve or Cylinder Kit

Perform the following to determine if the repaired intake/exhaust valve or cylinder kit has resolved the excessive crankcase pressure:‪

PERSONAL INJURY ‪
To avoid injury before starting and running the engine, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface, parking brake is set, and the wheels are blocked. ‪

1. Start the engine.
2. Run the engine and bring the engine coolant temperature to normal operating range, approximately 88-96°C (190-205°F).
3. Run the vehicle to full load and rated speed.
4. Visually inspect exhaust for excessive blue smoke.
   1. If the engine exhaust smoke emission appears normal for a rebuilt engine, no further troubleshooting is required. Shut down the engine.
   2. If the engine exhaust smoke emission is excessively blue, shut down the engine. Call the Detroit Diesel Customer Support Center at 313-592-5800.