White smoke from burner exhaust - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Douglas Hicks · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-02

I have white smoke coming from the burner exhaust. After pulling the trigger, it takes a long time to get heat at the gun, and the smoke is always white. Even when the gun is shut off, I see white smoke, just less when the gun is on. The fuel tank is full, I have not made any adjustments or changed any parts. I suspect too much fuel or not enough air.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

Mark · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-02

Good Morning Doug,

Is the burner igniting when you first turn it on,
or are you just getting white smoke?
Partially clogged fuel filter?
(Not allowing proper fuel flow, incomplete atomization of fuel)

I had one like that a while back could not get
good ignition, changed the fuel filter and she
fired right up, had to run it a while to burn out
he fuel that had soaked the combustion chamber.

When was the last time your burner was tuned up?

Usually too much fuel and or not enough air is indicated by black smoke.

If the filter does not do the trick feel free to call me.

[i]

Larry L. · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-02

Wouldn't a low battery cause white smoke

Mark · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-02

I guess I should have asked if this was a 12volt DC system,
or a 115 volt AC system, I am assuming it is 115 volt.

Usually low voltage will turn the blower slowly so you do not
get enough air flow resulting in poor combustion, and black smoke.

Douglas Hicks · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-02

Mark, the machine is a 12Volt burner system. The white smoke appears when the trigger is operated. I'll charge the battery and replace the fuel filter. I'll let you know if that does/does not fix the problem.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

Tim Srader · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-02

Doug,
I too have a 12 volt burner system and experienced a similar type problem a while back.
As Bigboy mentioned, low battery voltage can cause of this type of problem (as mine was), but presented with black smoke from the exhaust instead of white smoke. Not sure if the problem your experiencing is related, but as Mark mentioned, ensure the battery is fully charged and check filter.
Good luck.

Douglas Hicks · #7 (**permalink**) 07-27-02

I got the problem fixed. First I hooked up the battery charger and used it while I did a Dairy Queen. That helped. Today I changed the fuel filter and cleaned and tightened the battery terminals. Tonight, no white smoke (except the normal upon opening the trigger gun). But I will miss the sound the pw made when it finally started to burn the white smoke. The stack belched white smoke, then the burner ignited and that in turn ignited the white smoke, sounded like a freight train. Then the flame would shoot out the stack about 4 feet, and a smoke ring would come out the stack. Sometimes the smoke ring would go 30 feet in the air before disintegrating. By that time, I was ready to apply more chemical and the white smoke process would start all over again.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oreogn, Inc