Diesel Smoke

[Late4]

2006 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 48k miles.

A little dark smoke on startup, especially in colder weather. More smoke on quick acceleration. My friends are all over this question. Some say it shouldn't smoke at all, or a little smoke is normal or all diesels will smoke.

What is right? It was recently serviced. Mechanic said if it got worse, I have a lot of warranty left. He said not to worry about it, but some articles I have seen on the internet say that a modern diesel shouldn't smoke much if at all.

I work about 20 minutes away. In the winter, the engine never gets to operating temps. I let it idle 3 or 4 minutes in the winter mornings. I let it idle for a minute or two before shut down.

Am I doing something wrong? Please give me some help. I'm about to trade it for something I don't have to shut off at the drive thru. I want to keep this truck - it pulls my camper without strain (9500 lbs - 900 lbs tongue weight) but I would rather trade it than break it.

[Budgreen]

Sounds like a normal running diesel to me....

throw a cover in front of the grill to help with warming it up, also plug it in and it'll be lukewarm when you first start it on a cold morning!

I only idle mine on startup until the oil pressure it up to operating pressure then I drive it, thats the best way to warm it up, idling it'll never warm up.