What are the reasons for the parking diesel heater emitting white smoke and failing to start?
2 Answers
The reasons for the parking diesel heater emitting white smoke and failing to start include severe carbon buildup in the combustion chamber, poor fuel quality, and ventilation system failure. Below are the detailed explanations: Severe carbon buildup in the diesel heater combustion chamber: Abnormal operation of the fuel injector, such as poor atomization, fuel dripping, excessively high or low injection pressure, premature or delayed injection timing, and excessive fuel injection. Poor fuel quality: Poor fuel quality leads to incomplete combustion, resulting in white smoke emission. Ventilation system failure: Spring tension failure or one-way valve blockage. During engine idling, ventilation relies on small holes at the valve end; if blocked, the ventilation system fails during idling. Regular maintenance and cleaning are necessary to ensure unobstructed operation. Incorrect installation or omission of the one-way valve. The ventilation system becomes ineffective, affecting the air-fuel ratio of the mixture in the intake pipe, causing abnormal engine operation (especially no idling), and even leading to oil and gas spray from the oil filler port and oil leakage at related connection points.
I've seen this issue many times where the parking diesel heater emits white smoke and fails to start. Most of the time, it's caused by fuel problems. For example, unclean diesel mixed with water, clogged fuel lines leading to insufficient fuel supply, or poor atomization during combustion resulting in white smoke. This issue is more common in winter when fuel tends to solidify or accumulate impurities. Starting difficulties may also stem from ignition system failures, such as aging spark plugs or a weak battery. When I was younger, I drove a similar vehicle and fixed it several times by cleaning the fuel filter. Regular maintenance should include checking fuel quality and replacing filters—don't wait for major issues to arise. If you're unsure, visit a professional repair shop early to avoid safety risks.
