I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd. This truck runs top notch but has bad smoke on start up. It appears to be white smoke. I haven't done a compression check. I need advice bad.

 

White smoke indicates coolant. Could be bad gaskets. You sure it isn't blue?. Check the coolant and oil and see if it looks funky. Oil will look like a milkshake if it's getting coolant.

 

thats just it. I have checked the coolant and ots not running hot or anything. I bought the truck and as always I checked everything and changed all fluids. Was having issues with heat so changed thermostat. I changed the oil and put a bottle of Lucas in it like always because high miles. Its driving me crazy because inside valve cover looks clean. Dipstick should be showing somethingsince I have pit about 200 miles on it since change. This truck runs like a sewing machine.

 

The only other thing I can think of is a leaking injector. Now I have to ask is it cold when you first start the truck? Like cold outside?

 

Not really its TN. I mean coldest been about 40. I had a friend say it could be an injector. Wouldn't that effect the running

 

Nope what happens is it doesn't close completely and leaks fuel into the combustion chamber

 

So is there an O ring or will I just need to replace the injectors.

 

Think I would make sure that's actually the problem before spending large piles of money. If it runs really good, to me, that would imply the injectors are actually working properly. If you are getting white smoke, that *should* be coolant, and you should see coolant level going down. If it isn't, then maybe it is oil.... if it's ONLY at startup, after its been sitting for a while, may just be valve seals.

 

See if it dissipates rather fast as to oil where it will linger in the air longer. Smell it that will tell you what it is, Antifreeze has a sweet smell and it's nothing like oil smell witch stinks. Did you happen to look down into the plenum?

 

I've seen leaking injectors on motors then ran good.