What causes white smoke from a diesel engine?

Answer

White smoke from a diesel engine could be normal when it is very humid and cold, the engine is cold, the glow plugs are not working to their full potential as long as the white smoke is not excessive. It also could be an indication of a head gasket sealing problem. Most will not leak after running a while, due to extreme cylinder pressure. After the engine rests with combustion pressure in the coolant system, the coolant can work it's way back into the cylinders through the failing gasket sealing surface. If this happens and causes a hydro lock condition. Combine that with a high torque diesel starter and you may need a rebuild or possibly a new engine assembly. So make sure that your coolant level is full, and is not dark in color or smells like diesel exhaust (smells like a weird spice in the coolant, almost like someone put black pepper and gunpowder in it)
 

 

Answer 2

White smoke is from unburnt fuel or moisture in the combustion chamber.
Could also be EGR cooler. Just had to have mine replaced. It supposedly can leak enough antifreeze into the cylinder to lock the engine down. Probably needs to be addressed ASAP

Moisture in the exhaust, or a cold running engine.

Answer

White smoke from a diesel engine could be normal when it is very humid and cold, the engine is cold, the glow plugs are not working to their full potential as long as the white smoke is not excessive. It also could be an indication of a head gasket sealing problem. Most will not leak after running a while, due to extreme cylinder pressure. After the engine rests with combustion pressure in the coolant system, the coolant can work it's way back into the cylinders through the failing gasket sealing surface. If this happens and causes a hydro lock condition. Combine that with a high torque diesel starter and you may need a rebuild or possibly a new engine assembly. So make sure that your coolant level is full, and is not dark in color or smells like diesel exhaust (smells like a weird spice in the coolant, almost like someone put black pepper and gunpowder in it)

Answer 2

White smoke is from unburnt fuel or moisture in the combustion chamber.

Could also be EGR cooler. Just had to have mine replaced. It suppodely can leak enough anti-freeze into the cylinder to lock the engine down. Probably needs to be addressed ASAP

Moisture in the exhaust, or a cold running engine.