Plume of white smoke driving down steep decline
#1
Plume of white smoke driving down steep decline
Hello all, this is regarding a 1998 e350 econoline v10 6.8L (gas) Class B camper van (gross weight at least 10k). To set the scene, i descend 5500' over the course of 15 miles, down mountain for work. Just purchased the vehicle with 52k. Inspection showed the motor, fluids, and breaks functioning optimally. I had her in D2 at roughly 50mph most of the ride down with intermittent breaking. Toward the bottom, I shifted back into Drive, and began merging onto the highway somewhere between 35 to 45mph. A HUGE plume of white smoke exited the exhaust. Immediately pulled over. I thoroughly checked everything I could think of for 10 min, then brought her into town (20 miles) at about 50 mph. The smoke dissipated very quickly upon start up and acceleration. Never overheated. Maybe a minor odor, but it was so faint, I could have been making it up. This was only her 2nd trip down mountain - the first had much more break work vs engine work. Any thoughts on this occurrence? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.
ps i plan to turn off overdrive in the next descent, instead of D2 and see how she responds.
ps i plan to turn off overdrive in the next descent, instead of D2 and see how she responds.
#3
It's probably harmless but if you want to be cautious I would do the following, have the cooling system pressure tested. Go to the tailpipe and get a whiff with the engine running, if coolant is in the exhaust gas it will have an unusual sweet odor to it. Finally keep an eye on your coolant level. I do not see the connection whether the transmission is in OD or D3 and exhaust smoke other than a difference in engine RPM.
#4
Weird
Hello all, this is regarding a 1998 e350 econoline v10 6.8L (gas) Class B camper van (gross weight at least 10k). To set the scene, i descend 5500' over the course of 15 miles, down mountain for work. Just purchased the vehicle with 52k. Inspection showed the motor, fluids, and breaks functioning optimally. I had her in D2 at roughly 50mph most of the ride down with intermittent breaking. Toward the bottom, I shifted back into Drive, and began merging onto the highway somewhere between 35 to 45mph. A HUGE plume of white smoke exited the exhaust. Immediately pulled over. I thoroughly checked everything I could think of for 10 min, then brought her into town (20 miles) at about 50 mph. The smoke dissipated very quickly upon start up and acceleration. Never overheated. Maybe a minor odor, but it was so faint, I could have been making it up. This was only her 2nd trip down mountain - the first had much more break work vs engine work. Any thoughts on this occurrence? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.
ps i plan to turn off overdrive in the next descent, instead of D2 and see how she responds.
ps i plan to turn off overdrive in the next descent, instead of D2 and see how she responds.
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