1996 hard start, rough idle, smoking

[Dennis L]

I had to pull my powerstroke out to reinstall the oil plug on the inside of the timing cover. I figured while I was there & since the engine was on the floor, I would replace the injector o'rings. After I installed the engine, it took a very long time to start. It had a rough idle & smoked like a freight train. It was suggested that I take it for a drive. I ran it about 50 miles & it still would not idle smoothly & smoked worse since it was hot. Smokes at idle or underway, doesn't matter. Before I replaced the seals in the injectors, the truck ran really well, no smoke. One thing I did notice was that when I showered down on it, one cylinder started really rattling, so loudly that I backed out of it each time. Never got any better. I convinced myself that I had damaged an o'ring, but I cannot find a bad one after I removed all eight. I might add here that the thought struck me to pull the fuel filter first & check for oil, (after I pulled the injectors) but I was frustrated. The fuel filter showed no signs of oil. This is my first powerstroke, so this has been on-the-job training. I need this thing so I can trailer some tractors to an antique pull Saturday, so please help! Thanks!

[huntem]

Did you knock a injector cup loose?