Saturday the exhaust blew out clouds of black smoke and lost power after I pulled the coach out of winter storage. What is the likely problem?

Filters were changed last summer. Last fall before storage I added more than the recommended amount of diesel conditioner (the label says there is no harm in adding excess) and topped off the tank, then took it for a 12 mile run before storing.

After pulling out of storage yesterday it ran fine on the highway for about two miles. We stopped for a traffic signal. The smoke and loss of power started when we pulled away from the signal and continued for about another two miles. Then, it cleared up, but we drove another mile or so and pulled directly into the lot at my truck dealer and left it there until Monday.

Very low miles for the age -- about 15,000. The coach sat outside at my Dad's farm for about 12 years before I started restoration summer 2011. My neighbor thinks the problem was due to water in the fuel, probably in the filters. Sure hope it's not valves or rings. The fact that the smoking eventually stopped suggests no mechanical issue?

Thanks for all advice.

Steve

What did the boost and EGT gages do when this happened?

mouse nest in the muffler.

Or a nest in the airfilter

While both the above may sound like humor, they're credible!

quote:

Originally posted by Marvin+Doris:
Or a nest in the airfilter

Black smoke is usually from not enough airflow to the engine. An intake Manifold Blockage is the "Most Likely" cause.

Black smoke indicate not enough air or to much fuel for the available air. Blue smoke indicates burning motor oil.

Plugged air filter (is the indicator red).

Loose hoses from the turbo to the intake manifold. Might have tightened up enough when the engine got hot.

Very remote possablity of a stuck turbo. After sitting for months years) it took some time to loosen back up.

Anyway take it for a longer drive and let the engine really warm up. Then see what happens.
This might be a needless panic.

Looks like Marvin, Rusty, Bill and Gary may have hit it on the head. The shop foreman guesses a mouse nest in the air intake, sucked into the filter.

I was taking it in for filters, fluids, etc., anyway, so its being gone over as we speak. I should have it out for a shakedown within a couple of days, as soon as I line up my chauffeur. I just had shoulder surgery and the left arm is slung for another five weeks.

Thanks to everybody for your informed opinions.

Steve