Abnormal Smoke Fault Tracing
Abnormal Smoke Fault Tracing
71 26/06/2020
Service
Chassis ID Path
A 563867 200/Diagnostics//Abnormal smoke, fault tracing. Symptom fault tracing
Model Identity
FM12 75541600
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
When fault tracing, select the symptom that best matches the fault on the vehicle. Fault tracing should be carried out as
described in the information for each symptom. This makes fault tracing more efficient by systematically eliminating or
documenting faults which may be the symptom cause.
Contents
General information
Black smoke
Blue smoke
White or grey smoke
General information
Note: Before fault tracing is started, chock the wheels and release the parking brake.
Note: During fault tracing, the engine should be run at the operating temperature as well as at the temperature where
the symptom occurs.
The colour of the exhaust smoke can, in many cases, reveal which engine system the fault may be in.
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
Try to first determine if the smoke problem is caused by poor fuel quality or whether the fuel filled does not meet
specifications.
The unit injector is an important component in the combustion process. Due to this, it can often be suspected as
the cause of smoky exhaust. Before a unit injector is replaced, the systems and components outside the
combustion chamber should be excluded as a direct cause of the fault.
Fault tracing
Temporary faults can be difficult to trace as the fault may not occur when the vehicle is checked. Fault tracing should
be carried out based on the driver's understanding of the fault(s). The information that the driver has provided together
the factual data collected should form the basis for how the problem is to be resolved.
Whenever possible, try to recreate the problem in an environment and situation similar to that described by the driver.
Begin by determining if anything has recently happened to the vehicle that could affect the electrical system, but which
is not related to the engine control system.
Black smoke
There should be no black smoke from a fault free and well maintained engine. Black smoke indicates poor combustion
and is caused by excess fuel or shortage of air.
Black smoke that is caused by a fault in a unit injector and where the fault gives abnormally high levels of fuel
starvation, can be considered to be a surplus of fuel supplied (incomplete combustion).
A harsh throttle in the exhaust pressure governor prevents the engine's exhaust exchange. In this case the cause of
black smoke is a lack of air.
Active and inactive fault codes registered can point to faults, but can also be useful in searching for the symptom
cause. Freeze frames with information for specific fault codes, can also be useful when searching for symptom causes.
Fault tracing, using relevant service information, must always be carried out for relevant fault codes.
Components/functions of special interest:
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
Step 3: Tests
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
The results of the following tests, carried out using VCADS Pro, can show which systems or which components may be
the cause of the symptom. These tests can also eliminate components or systems with no faults or malfunctions.
The following checks should be carried out in the specified order until the fault is found. These checks also can help
eliminate components with no faults or malfunctions. The number of tests and the sequence depends on the following:
the results from tests and fault codes; the vehicle's condition; the vehicle's service and repair history; other symptoms
and information from the driver.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
Blue smoke
Blue smoke often is due to mechanical problems that are related to fuel or engine oil. Electrical problems can also
cause blue smoke when, for example, sensors give incorrect values to the engine's control unit. Blue smoke may be
unburnt fuel or oil. Blue smoke often has a characteristic smell of fuel or oil.
Blue smoke can be caused by:
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
The start and temperature control function for the exhaust pressure governor does not function (for cold start).
Preheating is out of operation (for cold start).
Active and inactive fault codes registered can point to faults, but can also be useful in searching for the symptom
cause. Freeze frames with information for specific fault codes, can also be useful when searching for symptom causes.
Fault tracing, using relevant service information, must always be carried out for relevant fault codes.
Components/functions of special interest:
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
Step 3: Tests
The results of the following tests, carried out using VCADS Pro, can show which systems or which components
probably cause the symptom. These tests can also eliminate components or systems with no faults or malfunctions.
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
The following checks should be carried out in the specified order until the fault is found. These checks also can help
eliminate components with no faults or malfunctions. The number of tests and the sequence depends on the following:
the results from tests and fault codes; the vehicle's condition; the vehicle's service and repair history; other symptoms
and information from the driver.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
White smoke
White odourless smoke when starting and/or during driving during cold weather is completely normal and does not
indicate a fault. The white smoke is a result of completely normal small amounts of water in air that evaporates during
combustion and condenses when it comes into contact with the cold air. Note that larger cooling areas in the exhaust
and silencer system means greater amounts of white smoke generated in cold starts and at low ambient temperatures.
In extreme cases, coolant can get into the engine via an intake or exhaust port and produce white smoke. In such
cases, this is indicated by loss of coolant. If it is not possible to start due to the start and temperature control function
and the preheater does not function, this results in an increased generation of white smoke.
Grey smoke
Grey smoke is a mixture of black smoke and steam and often occurs during cold weather. Therefore, where grey
smoke is generated, the fault detection procedures for black smoke can be used, see Black smoke.
Active and inactive fault codes which are registered, can point to faults but can also be useful in searching for the
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
symptom cause. Freeze frames with information for specific fault codes, can also be useful when searching for
symptom causes.
Fault tracing, using relevant service information, must always be carried out for relevant fault codes.
Components/functions of special interest:
Step 3: Tests
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
The results of the following tests, carried out using VCADS Pro, can show which systems or which components
probably cause the symptom. These tests can also eliminate components or systems with no faults or malfunctions.
Preheat, check
Start and temperature control, function check
Note. Check that the temperature control function operates correctly. Abnormal smoke generation can occur if
the temperature control function is activated incorrectly.
Auxiliary brake, test (D9A, D12D, D16C)
Note. Check that the exhaust brake functions correctly. Abnormal smoke generation can occur if the exhaust
brake is activated incorrectly.
Exhaust brake, test (D12C)
Note. Check that the exhaust brake functions correctly. Abnormal smoke generation can occur if the exhaust
brake is activated incorrectly.
Inlet and exhaust system, test
Cylinder compression, test
Cylinder balancing, test
Sensor value check, engine running
Note. Abnormal smoke generation can occur if any or several sensors display abnormal values.
Sensor value check, stationary engine
Note. Abnormal smoke generation can occur if any or several sensors display abnormal values.
Shutting off injectors, manually
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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IMPACT 4.07.71 26/06/2020
The following checks should be carried out in the specified order until the fault is found. These checks also can help
eliminate components with no faults or malfunctions. The number of tests and the sequence depends on the following:
the results from tests and fault codes; the vehicle's condition; the vehicle's service and repair history; other symptoms
and information from the driver.
Copyright to this documentation belongs to the Volvo Group. No reproduction, copying, change, amendment or other similar disposal is entitled without prior written consent by
the Volvo Group
The information contained herein is current at the time of its original distribution, but is subject to change. The reader is advised that printed copies are uncontrolled.
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