vacuum leak. look at the vac pump under the hood on the pass side and check the hoses for dry rot or cracks
In many cases leaves can cause smoke to blow through the defrost of a 1990 Ford F 150
Vacuum pump the same vacuum pump that works automatic locking hubs on the 4wd
Some ford truck hvac systems will default to the defrost setting if the is a problem with the electrical or vaccum parts of the system. I encountered a ford truck that had a mouse living under the hood and chewed through the vacuum hoses and would only blow on defrost.Do a good visual check including electrical,such as fuses etc...
The most common cause for the defrost not properly working is a malfunctioning blending door. The blending door might be stuck halfway open. This would cause the defrost not to work unless the fan is on high.
This isn't likely to cause any problems. A viable solution would be to check for the "meat" section to find out exactly which strength to defrost.
A fan in the system.
Several possibilities, (I am assuming there is air actually blowing, but it is cold), your not getting circulation through the heater core, coolant level is too low. i had the same prob my front defrost would not work what i found is that it was a small plastic tube that runs the side of the motor that is connected to the vacume. those plastic tubes get very brittle and break easy, once i fixed that tube my defrost worked
The best place to purchase some Diesel belts would be Diesel's official website. They have an online store where you can look through the different kinds of Diesel belts.
The A/C system compressor operates when in the defrost mode. If the noise is also heard when running the A?C it is more than likely a problem with the compressor/pulley.
I think you can buy a diesel generator at any of the places that you buy a gas one. Why do you prefer diesel over gas. Diesel would be harder to start in winter cause diesel fuel tends to gel when cold out.
Diesel fuel or coolant entering the crankcase. Either will cause serious engine damage. Stop driving the truck until you can have this repaired.
If it is not diesel, you probably have a fouled or disconnected plug.