How to Solve the Issue of Smoke Coming from the Diesel Heater Air Intake?
3 Answers
Determine whether the smoke is white or black based on its color You can appropriately increase the size of the vent. Under conditions of insufficient oxygen supply, compressed diesel fuel cannot burn quickly, which leads to the situation where there is smoke but no flame. Unscrew the connecting nut between the high-pressure oil pipe and the fuel injector, then loosen the nut connected to the fuel injection pump. Adjust the angle of the high-pressure oil pipe head upwards and then tighten the nut. This is caused by a malfunction in the air filter component inside the heater. It is necessary to inspect and repair the air filter of the heater, specifically checking whether the air filter component is faulty.
That time when my diesel heater's air intake was smoking was really tricky. I pulled over and quickly turned off the engine to check. Opening the hood, I saw the air filter was completely clogged with dust. I removed it, blew it clean with compressed air, and reinstalled it. After restarting, the smoke reduced significantly but didn’t stop completely. I then checked the fuel system and found impurities in the filter. A temporary cleaning didn’t help much. Considering possible carbon buildup in the combustion chamber or air leaks in the pipes, I added a carbon remover and ran the engine for a while before it finally normalized. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to clean the filter every season and use standard fuel to minimize impurities. Such issues often arise from neglected maintenance, and heavy smoke poses serious safety risks. I recommend addressing it early rather than waiting until winter when starting becomes difficult.
When dealing with smoke from the diesel heater intake, I prefer starting with the basics. First, check if the air filter is clogged—clean it with compressed air or replace it if dirty. Then, test fuel flow by inspecting the filter and fuel pump for faults; a clogged nozzle can cause white smoke. For pipe leaks, use sealing tape as a temporary fix, but replace the part for a long-term solution. Clean the combustion chamber with professional tools to avoid damaging other components. Carry diagnostic tools like a multimeter to save time—colored smoke indicates severity (e.g., black smoke means excess fuel, green suggests fluid leakage). Don’t skip maintenance cycles, as high-load usage increases risks. Perform simple checks before sending for repairs to minimize hazards.
