← White smoke on all engines
Symptoms · 6.7 Cummins 2007-2018
6.7 Cummins 2007-2018: white smoke from the exhaust
3 documented failures on this engine list this among their signs. They are ordered from the most widespread down. Each one shows the signs in its record's own words, how to tell it from the others, the usual fix and any recall or bulletin.
Not sure which engine you have, or want the recalls for your exact truck? Check your VIN: it names the engine and lists the campaigns for that model year. Whether a recall is still open on your VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
verified
How widespread: Very common
55 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,355 checked
How it shows up
- excessive idle, white/grey smoke during regen, hot exhaust smell
Its other signs
- 'exhaust filter full / regeneration required' message on the overhead console
- frequent or endless regenerations; aborted regens on short trips
- loss of power (inducement / derate) until regeneration completes
- fuel smell in the oil after repeated failed regens
How to tell it apart
- read DTCs (P242F/P2463 soot-load, P204F etc.) and soot-load / ash-load PIDs before replacing anything
- verify regen completes when driven at highway load (30+ min); a filter that regens clean is a duty-cycle problem, not a part problem
- differential-pressure check across the DPF; inspect for cracked/missing substrate
Usual fix
restore duty cycle: sustained highway load so regens complete; correct the underlying reason regens fail (VGT, sensors, EGR) before replacing the filter
Recalls and bulletins
TSB 18-002-14 REV. BTSB 18-002-14 REV. ATSB 18-002-14
Root cause, parts and sources →
verified
How widespread: Common
6 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,355 checked
How it shows up
- white sweet-smelling smoke, coolant loss with no external leak
- in bad cases: hydro-lock symptoms / white smoke clouds at startup
Its other signs
- EGR cooler DTCs / flow codes; coolant smell at the exhaust
- pressurised cooling system (bubbles at the degas bottle)
How to tell it apart
- block-test the coolant for combustion gas (careful: EGR cooler gas also shows)
- compare EGR cooler temp vs coolant temp PIDs at startup (should track until warm-up completes)
- pressurise the cooling system and watch for immediate pressure rise through the EGR side
Usual fix
replace the EGR cooler with the correct-era unit (2007.5-2009 vs 2010+ are different hardware); flush and refill with spec coolant
Recalls and bulletins
TSB 18-045-15 REV ATSB 18-045-15TSB 18-018-13 REV. ATSB 18-005-13
Root cause, parts and sources →
verified
How widespread: Rare
3 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,355 checked
How it shows up
- white smoke, sweet smell; overheating events in history
Its other signs
- coolant loss, combustion gas in the cooling system, pressurised degas bottle
- misfire on startup after sitting (fluid into a cylinder)
How to tell it apart
- block-test the coolant for combustion gas
- monitor cooling-system pressure rise vs RPM (combustion leak signature)
- compression / cylinder leak-down if a specific hole is suspected
Usual fix
fix the overheat cause first (fan clutch, coolant leak, DPF derate ignored) or the new gasket dies too
Root cause, parts and sources →
Other symptoms on the 6.7 Cummins 2007-2018
Hard start, long crank or no-startLoss of power, limp mode or derateLosing coolantOverheating or temperature creeping upOil leak, oil consumption or rising oil levelTicking, knocking, rattle or whineMisfire, rough idle, hesitation or surgingDEF, DPF and regeneration warnings
Everything on the 6.7 Cummins 2007-2018Its recalls and bulletins