1989 7.3 idi puffing white smoke out of exhaust and backfiring

[strokemaster]

Just got this 89 7.3 idi and I’m more of a Power Stroke guy so I don’t know much about these engines. Takes a while to start up, but with enough glow plug cycles it will. feels like air intrusion to me. But once it’s running, it sounds like it has a dead miss on one cylinder and it’s puffing out white smoke. every once in a while it makes a popping sound or backfires out of the exhaust. It will do this up until it gets to operating temperature. But even then with throttle and without load, it’ll start puffing smoke again and dead missing. I found that it seems to be cylinder seven doing this because every time I loosen that injector feed line the smoke stops completely. And it seems what’s coming out of the injection pump is not as strong as the others and has air. I replaced the injector on cylinder seven with no change. And I did return lines, olive seals, and the new facet pump. Not sure what it could be. I’m just hoping it’s not an injection pump because I’ve already gone through two. Thanks

 

[Nero]

You say you've done the injection pump, what about the injectors?

 

[strokemaster]

The injection pump is from eBay I had to go trough a couple to get a “working” one. And I replaced the cylinder seven injector. This is the cylinder that seams to be smoking

 

[strokemaster]

You say you've done the injection pump, what about the injectors?

The injection pump is from eBay I had to go trough a couple to get a “working” one. And I replaced the cylinder seven injector. This is the cylinder that seams to be smoking

 

[ihc1470]

First thing I would do is run a compression test and see what the basic condition of the engine is. That will tell you where you need to go next.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The injection pump is from eBay I had to go trough a couple to get a “working” one.

Unfortunately, this might be your problem right here.
That said, a compression test wouldn't hurt.

 

[Nero]

Pump and injectors wear out together. If you installed a used pump or a rebuild from someone who doesn't know what they are doing...

I would suggest a set of injectors and a pump rebuilt from a reputable shop.

 

[asmith]

I agree with Nero and IDIBronco. I would do a compression test first, then an IP from a good rebuilder, and 8 injectors from a good rebuilder, NOT ebay.

 

[strokemaster]

Thanks for everyone replying I’ll run up after work and get a compression tester. I was just trying to save some money with a used eBay pump but most likely it’s just bad. I’ll get back with my results

 

[Black dawg]

If you swapped injectors around, and it stayed with that cylinder, I would pull that valve cover.

 

[strokemaster]

If you swapped injectors around, and it stayed with that cylinder, I would pull that valve cover.

Yes, I swapped injectors around with no difference. Right now I’m trying to get new clean diesel running through the system to try and rule that out. The diesel that’s sitting in the tank looks and smells nothing like diesel so that might be an issue.

 

[Nero]

If you have moved injectors and its still doing it... Pull the valve cover and inspect that cylinders valves and springs. see if a rocker lever is wonky.