blue smoke

[bullaboy]

I've got a Sadler 32 with a volvo 2002 engine. On starting it at the weekend there was a lot of smoke but it was hard to distinguish whether it was white or blue. There was also small traces of oil/diesel being emitted. Any one got any ideas why this should be happening. She hasn't been run idle for any long periods and weekend before she was fine.

 

[LittleShip]

Check the oil cooler; it may be that it is leaking oil in to the exhaust. The blue smoke could be that the engine isn’t up to temp. Have a look at the oil in the engine for signs of emulsification (water) it will look white. Don’t panic if there is, just change the oil cooler, oil filter and oil and run her up to temp and any water left will evaporate. Let us know what the outcome is.

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Tom

 

[aitchw]

If it is blue it is oil related. Try all Littleship's suggestions before starting to think about more serious possibilities like piston rings etc.

Good luck

 

[Stemar]

In my (limited) experience, if you couldn't tell if the smoke was white or blue, I suspect it was probably white. Blue smoke from excessive oil consumption is usually pretty obvious, like the smoke from a knackered car engine, unless it's really thick, like the time the turbo blew on my car... cough, cough. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Did it take a lot of churning before starting? If so, a cloud of smoke as it catches would probably be unburnt fuel. It would clear as the engine warms up. You could have also sent diesel down into the exhaust, which would give a fine slick coming from the exhaust as the cooling water washes it out. This could go on for a few minutes.

A leaky injector would give smoke all the time, which should be white, but may have a bluish tinge. That could also cause starting problemns. An automotive diesel specialist would be able to test the injectors for you, and recondition them if necessary. Be very careful about pulling them though, they're fitted into a copper sleeve. If this moves, it can allow cooling water into the cylinders. Drain the cooling system first!

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Go to a truck repair place etc. Do not go to a marine place as they'll rip a big whole in your cheque book!