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White smoke vs black smoke

14 years ago

A friend started his tractor for the first time this year, after it had been to the dealer for belts, etc. (even the drive belt). It blew a white smoke when he started it up. One would think that the service person would have run the thing after replacing belt. Anyway, what is the white smoke all about?

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

gzec
14 years ago
white smoke is usually water (steam), black is unburned fuel (too rich carb setting), blue smoke is oil being burned.
Unless its a water cooled engine, I have no idea.
bill7
Original Author
14 years ago
No, it is a smaller JD, air cooled. It sat all winter, inside, but at the dealer it is a good assumption it was outside once the service was completed. One wouldn't think sitting outside would do any harm. I do not know if he used Stabil (or similar), drained the tank, or did nothing. I'll have to ask him. I am guessing it is moisture in the lines/tank then.

Thanks
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walt2002
14 years ago
What is described as White Smoke often is a sign the head gasket is leaking.

Walt Conner
njdpo
14 years ago
Keep in mind that there are two variants of white smoke.

One of them being steam - it being fairly easy to detect as it dissipates into the air rather quickly.

As opposed to the white/slightly blueish smoke which will sort of drift away with the wind.

A few of the engines I have will cough up a bit of white/blue smoke on start up. But does not last, I see no oil loss, and I detect no foul smelling fumes...

I would say keep your eyes on the situation - if your not burning any significant amounts of oil then your in good shape.

Remember - some oil is creeping past the valve guides and the rings is a normal thing - and this will be seen on the next startup - especially if the motor has sat a few days.

I can also say that on one of my machines - I was able to detect that it smoked more when I parked it facing downhill. I guess the bulk of the oil settled in a certain location.
cranheim
14 years ago
When I had a problem with an 18hp air cooled Kawasaki engine where oil would get into the combustion chamber after shutdown, it would give out lots of blue-White smoke (mainly white in color) on the next startup. I have never seen so much smoke from a small engine before. It was caused by a piston design problem. The engine was replaced under warranty. The only point I am trying to make is that the smoke was more white than blue, and was caused by oil burning. Charles Ranheim
walt2002
14 years ago
Same applies to blown head gasket.

Walt Conner
archangel2003
14 years ago
Yep, blue/white on an air cooled engine is oil, black is over fueling/rich.
Water is steam like and goes away quick, and if there is antifreeze in it, the smell can be sickly sweet.

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