ck3510se white exhaust smoke when cold, only started after last oil change

[NYCheese]

My first 2 oil changes were done using a Cub Cadet branded diesel oil (dealer is also a Cub Cadet dealer, and he said it exceeded Kioti's requirements).

Most recent oil change I had to switch, because he was out of stock, and said it was going to be a while before he got more. He recommended the Rotella T4, and after doing some research online, that's what I went with.

I've put about 30hrs on since then, and I've noticed that when the tractor is cold, I'm getting a fair bit of white exhaust (that smells like unburnt fuel), that I never had last winter with the other oil. It goes away when the engine warms up, so it seems pretty normal to me...just wondering if I should be concerned at all.

 

[Roadworthy]

I believe a small amount of white smoke indicates unburnt fuel when the engine is cold and is perfectly normal. I don't know what constitutes "a fair bit" but if it disappears when the engine warms your should be fine.

 

[xcgreene]

condensation steaming off is also a common cold startup white smoke signature. Also normal.

 

[NYCheese]

I believe a small amount of white smoke indicates unburnt fuel when the engine is cold and is perfectly normal. I don't know what constitutes "a fair bit" but if it disappears when the engine warms your should be fine.

Thanks for confirming normal for me. I said "fair bit", because it's definitely less than what I would call "a lot", but it's slightly more than I would call "a little". It does go away entirely once the engine is up to temp.

 

[NYCheese]

condensation steaming off is also a common cold startup white smoke signature. Also normal.

It definitely has some unburnt fuel in it, you can smell it clearly. I was pretty sure it's normal for cold weather....just wanted to confirm, since I did swap oil brands.

 

[5030]

All diesel's 'huff' a bit when cold, especially when it's around or below freezing. Nature of the engine.

 

[finn1]

I suspect the ambient air temperature is lower or the cetane rating of your fuel is lower than what you used last winter.

Lube oil won’t cause white smoke.