Ok guys. Newbie hear to the 6.0L's. But I'm learning an awful lot really quick from all of you here. I've read lots of tech stuff on these EGR Coolers, oil coolers, FICM tests. This is what I got happening right now.

2004 F-250 6.0L. Today was 45 degrees in Reno. 5400 ft elevation. Tried to start it without block heater. Would not even crank. It tried to crank but sounded like it locked up on first crank. Tried again, nothing. Same. Tried yet again and finally got to getting the engine to crank, but wouldn't start after about 5 seconds of cranking. Waited a little while not wanting to burn out my FICM, then tried again. Same as previous, would crank but not turnover. Checked batteries. Both were over 12.3 V cold, motor not running. This next time, turned key on and let it sit in ON position for about a minute. Then cranked and it took about 5 seconds and then the motor finally cranked over. Lots of black smoke as usual for a cold start like this. Battery volts after cranking over and running were now both over 13.6 V.

Keep in mind the truck has started better than this before in 15 degree weather just about a month ago.

After it started I noticed what appeared to be oil/coolant residue directly underneath trucks transmission area. It was not tranny, but in that area. I got under the truck and can see this fluid coming from EGR Cooler area.

Now for the smoke. Just stared smoking on start up. White smoke. Then it would disappear as engine warmed up. Now its constant white smoke when warmed up and applying the throttle. Smells like coolant coming out of exhaust. Not diesel.

I parked truck facing downwards on my driveway. Then I checked EGR Valve. When I pulled it it was WET. Not dry. Peeked in EGR Valve hole, didn't see coolant. Just wetness. I did change gasket and rings on it the day before as well.

As for FICM, it reads 47.9 Volts on key turn, 48.1 on cranking and 47.8 running. FICM good by all standard 6.0L literature.

Degas bottle passed pressure test holding near 15 PSI for 20 minutes! No oil in degas bottle that I can see.

Truck is stock.

IS MY EGR COOLER AND OIL COOLER SHOT?

WOULD A BAD EGR COOLER OR OIL COOLER CAUSE THIS AWFUL COLD START?

Hoping it's not injectors. Please help.... and when i plug in the block heater, it starts NO PROBLEM, but still white smoke. Also, NO loss of power at any time.

 

Are you losing coolant? With failed egr cooler I would expect to see a failed pressure test. Do you have any codes present?

 

Fordman, Yes, I am losing coolant in the degas. Not a whole lot but enough for me to have to fill it back up.

I thought it would fail the test as well. No codes present.

Do IPR's (fuel pressure regulators) go out often and could this maybe be the prob? And the ICP?

Trying not to jump the gun here. The truck runs extremely smooth and strong even pushing out the white smoke. This just happened yesterday. Truck is idle now till I can figure this out. I do not want to drive and risk further injury.....

 

Also, is there a way to test my EGR Valve electrically with my volt meter? Thankx

 

A bad egr cooler can. I would replace both the egr cooler and oil cooler at this point. I do not think this is a ipr issue.

 

ok, so I'm still learning everyday. But I just realized I haven't been adding any fuel or oil additive to my truck with fuel fill ups. My cetane was very low and the diesel fuel I buy is not the best quality. So I bought some Sea Foam (highly recommended by many diesel guys here and other forums) and added to my fuel and oil. Wow! Not sure if 40 miles of running it is enough, but I opened it up full throttle 4-5 times and the white smoke has diminished greatly to point I only see a little bit. I was told to drive more than 500 miles or more before I'll see major changes. But I've already witnessed a lot. We'll see how things go from here. Maybe I had a stuck injector or 2. I don't know. Temps all are in good normal operating range. Went from 0-100 in a heartbeat uphill at 5500 ft. We still think the EGR Cooloer and Oil cooler need to be changed. Probably not a bad idea just to get it done since I ordered and have the parts in the garage. Thankx Fordman......I'll update in a fe days.

I have appt tomorrow for diagnostic at TNT Diesel Automotive here in Reno. Curious to hear whats wrong with my engine if anything.

 

TSB-06-2-13 covers white smoke and low power at startup, but your issue may be different since you are loosing coolant.