What would be the most probable cause of light, smoky exhaust from a diesel engine?
Most probably, water gets carried over from charge air cooler to engine cylinders.
Check the Air cooler drain for water accumulation. If water is observed flowing out of the drain, identify the cause of accumulation. It could be a leak in the cooler or low temperature of the cooling water, which cools down the air below the dew point.
Only some modern engines are equipped with efficient mist catchers, capable of collecting the condensed water droplets. For engines without mist catcher, the charge air temperature should be kept above the dew point.
