'03 6 speed, Ram 3500 dually, diesel less than 180,000 miles. Went out to make an errand, truck started fine, no hesitation, let it warm up (it's 14 degrees, additive in fuel) made it half-way down driveway (1/8 mile) and all of a sudden started hearing this clacking noise, LOUD, like the kids clacker toy, and a BIG cloud of smoke that appeared to come from under the truck, not out the back. I immediately turned it off. Looked under the hood, looked under truck, nothing obvious, no liquid of any kind anywhere. Started back up after about 20 minutes, started right up, still clacking, drove it up to our barn to park for the night and plug back in, so it still drives, but the smoke continued when I restarted it. Unfortunately my knowledge of engines does not extend beyond the basics, and clacking coupled with smoke equals trouble with a capital $. Any ideas?

 

It could be the rail pressure sensor took a dump or an injector is sticking open cause of the white smoke. Don't drive it or run it very long like that or it will melt the piston.

 

Don't know what a rail pressure sensor is, but it does sound like it could be a stuck injector. Fix?

 

Pull the codes by doing the 3 key on and off then leave it on and see if you get anything. Otherwise it is off to a diesel shop/ dealer who has the tools to shut each injector off one at a time and do a return flow test on each. If one is bad you have options. Just post on here before you do anything.

Rail pressure sensor is on the common fuel rail right behind the intake tube on drivers side. If it is bad you should have a code. It tells the ECM how much rail pressure the CP3 is putting out so it can adjust the high pressure flow of fuel.

 

Thanks will try that. It might be the rail, can 'feel' sound/vibration on gas foot coming from either engine or underneath just to drivers side of center.

 

Torque converter bolt come loose? Stopped me before I finished telling him about it, said he's fixed same thing on 2 other dodge diesels. . . .

 

If only you had an auto that would apply. Did you get to see where the smoke was coming from?

 

Nope, came over to listen and says it's definitely injectors, won't know how many till he gets the top pulled and gets down in there. $330 each? cheaper anywhere ? My truck is an '03/'04

 

How would an injector cause a lot of white smoke UNDER the truck?
You sure the smoke wasn't coming from the blow by tube?

 

I'm sorry but am I missing something? who came over and listened? Like said before a flow test will tell what injector without removing anything at first.
Are you out of warranty? 7yr/100k

 

Yes, out of warranty, 180,000. Mechanic came to listen, got over to his garage, hooked up to computer, said it wasn't the injectors. Smoke definitely came from underneath not from back. Needs a different chip for computer to do another diagnostic, will keep updated.

 

You probably have smoke coming out the blow by tube. If you pull the oil cap, you will have smoke coming out of there too. That typically means there is a cylinder issue or head issue.

I am definitely not a mechanic, but it sounds like a valve seat dropped. When the seat drops the cylinder pressure will push smoke right up the valve rod hole into the valve cover.

 

I will guess valve seat. Maybe dropped a valve.
Been there done that... Pull the valve cover check the valves closely. Look for 1 valve stem to be a little higher then the others.
Keep us posted.
Good luck,
Topper

 

Yup, here it is 13 days later, and I am still without my truck..... I am past DT's and withdrawals, I'm getting downright cranky now. Now Granted we've had some pretty nasty weather here lately, but I'm definitely getting the feeling that he won't listen to me simply because I am female.....even though I am telling him that the suggestions are coming from you guys..... Well, he says that they checked the injectors and they are fine, he is talking to two different dealerships and they are all stumped, don't know what it is. That was this morning when I called him. My husband went to see him this afternoon, and he told my husband he would have him a definitive answer by this evening..... said he doesn't think it's the turbo, but that it's the turbo sensor.....is that the same as rail pressure sensor? HELP, I NEED MY TRUCK BACK, I have cows to feed! (Okay, that was an attempt to lighten the mood, but I really do have cows to feed)

 

13 days....?

Get your truck to a different mechanic ASAP.... Shouldn't take more than a few hours to diagnose your issue.

I wouldn't pay the guy one red cent either because he's wasted far too much of your time.