Tractor Repair: 3 cyl ford diesel injectors, ford diesel injectors, ford 4600

Question
Is there any commom injector issues that would cause excessive smoke at idle and when starting.  The smoke seems to diminish with higher rpm.  (1980 Ford 4600 3 cyl diesel) Thanks-

Answer
Hello,

  If this machine has high hours on it and the injectors have never been serviced, they may need to be rebuilt or replaced.  They can be checked on a pop tester machine to check the opening pressure, the spray pattern, and if they leak under pressure.  The holes in the nozzles can get plugged or have carbon build-up.  The internal parts can become worn so that the injector opens at too low of a pressure, or they can leak when the injector is supposed to be closed.  Other things can cause excessive smoke also, such as injection pump timing or worn pump, dirty air filter, low compression, bad fuel, valve adjustments, etc.