← White smoke on all engines
Symptoms · 6.7 Power Stroke (2011-present)
6.7 Power Stroke (2011-present): 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: Common
49 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,754 checked
How it shows up
- white smoke at idle (unatomized fuel from a leaking injector) or black smoke under load (an injector stuck rich)
Its other signs
- injector circuit codes P0201-P0208 (one per cylinder), or cylinder-specific misfire codes P0301-P0308
- hard starting, especially cold, with extended crank times as internal leakage bleeds off rail pressure
- fuel dilution of the oil: a rising oil level or oil on the dipstick that smells strongly of diesel
How to tell it apart
- review cylinder balance and fuel trim data at idle and under load; run PCM power-balance/relative-compression tests to separate fuel problems from mechanical ones
- check rail pressure command vs actual during cranking - pressure that will not build implicates the pump/pressure-control valves or gross injector return leakage (a leak-back test isolates which)
- always rule out the low-pressure supply side (Low-pressure fuel supply weakness (lift pump, filters, water-in-fuel)) before condemning high-pressure components
Usual fix
replace failed injectors in matched sets, not individually - pairing one new injector with seven worn ones causes balance complaints and repeat labor
Root cause, parts and sources →
aggregated
How widespread: Occasional
6 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,754 checked
How it shows up
- a momentary shudder, stumble, or brief misfire on hard acceleration after extended light-load driving in humid weather, sometimes with a puff of white vapor from the exhaust
Its other signs
How to tell it apart
- pressure-test the charge-air circuit (system capped, soapy water or a smoke machine at the joints) BEFORE condemning the turbocharger for a P0299 - this is one of the most common non-turbo causes of that code on this platform
- owners frequently mistake the condensation-ingestion stumble for injector or transmission trouble - rule out a corresponding injector-balance fault first
- inspect the intercooler end tanks and boots at both ends for oil accumulation, which usually traces back to turbo seal seepage (VGT turbocharger failure - generation dependent (ceramic-bearing GT32 vs...) rather than this mode's own mechanism
Usual fix
replace a failed/split cold-side charge pipe with an upgraded unit
Root cause, parts and sources →
verified
How widespread: Occasional
5 NHTSA owner complaints match it, out of 1,754 checked
How it shows up
- routine wear: extended cranking and rough running on cold mornings, growing worse as more plugs fail; white/gray smoke at cold start that clears as the engine warms
Its other signs
- glow-plug circuit codes P0671-P0678 (per-cylinder) or P064C (control module)
- a 'wait to start' lamp that no longer illuminates (points at the control module/wiring, not the plugs themselves)
- SERIOUS defect, 2011-2013 engines specifically: a broken-off glow-plug tip travels through the cylinder, hammering the piston, valves, and turbocharger - a compression-test-worthy finding on any used 2011-2013 truck with unknown history
How to tell it apart
- individual plugs test with a multimeter: ~1-2 ohms to ground on a healthy plug, open circuit confirms failure
- verify control-module voltage delivery to each plug during the pre-glow cycle before condemning plugs
- on a used 2011-2013 truck with unknown service history, treat a broken-plug-tip suspicion as a borescope-inspection and compression-test item before driving it further, not a wait-and-see
Usual fix
replace glow plugs in complete sets on a high-mileage engine, using a quality torque wrench (routine wear)
Root cause, parts and sources →
Other symptoms on the 6.7 Power Stroke (2011-present)
Hard start, long crank or no-startLoss of power, limp mode or derateLosing coolantOil 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 Power Stroke (2011-present)Its recalls and bulletins