So I started up my truck lastnight like i said earlier only to find out that I burnt off almost a quarter tank when idling for 30 min to warm up. I've also been noticing that my MPG has been going down ever since the headgasket job. I was able to get 600km on one tank. (FIrst long drive after gaskets replaced) Now I'm lucky to get 300km. Problems that I know exist are sticky injectors and cracked y pipe. Possible turbo problems from what the dealer sais.

Anyone have any input if these problems could be the cause for so much diesel consumption?

 

The long idling is the worst thing you can do--it takes forever for one of these things to warm up (if it does at all) by idling. The turbo will have a direct affect on your fuel consumption as will the cracked y-pipe since it's feeding the turbo. The headgasket job should have improved your mileage if anything, since you resealed the combustion chambers.

 

it did improve for a bit. That first drive i was amazed. I can actually hear a hissing sound. Almost like there is gas escaping. I can hear it when i have my window rolled down. My turbo still surges too. No change noticible in rpms. The needle is steady and dosent jump around. So if i get that y-pipe fixed, do you think the surging will go away because there is enoughf pressure to feed the turbo? I hope so.

 

Also remember Ideling = 0 mpg

 

Idling = less diesel used.

 

That hissing noise bothers me. Wonder if the turbo is properly sealed? Loosing boost.

 

I think your problem is on the fuel side not the air side as there isnt any boost at idle and you said you burnt a quarter of a tank in 30 min at idle.

 

!/4 tank in 30 min?? I forgot that. At that rate the engine would be belching black smoke at an idle. Should only use around a gallon not 7 gallons.

 

What does that mean. If your truck is running, its using diesel fuel. I don't see a need to let it warm up for 30 minutes, I don't care how cold it is. Firesouthmatt is correct. To say that "idling = less diesel used", less than what? Less than driving down the road, sure.

 

Where I work. We allow for a 10 minute warmup before going to full power on the equipment. If it is super cold (below 10) then 15 minutes. This is to get the oil thinned out and the transmissions a little warmth. Humans - can warm themselves. Yes diesels will not get warm in the cab until they are driven - sometimes 10 miles.

 

Idled for 30 minutes and used 1/4 tank of fuel? That thing should be smoking like
Mount St. Helens?
Maybe the fuel gage is broke too!

 

One of the biggest fuel consumption factors with this engine is getting the proper amount of boost. Your y-pipe leak will certainly have a pretty big effect on that. Also, driving the truck to warm it up is far better for your engine and your fuel economy than idling for 30 minutes.

 

Yes it does. Expecially on a cold start at -20c. Today it smoked pretty hard. Drove it around for a bit and the smoke went down. Only when accelerating is when it will start smoking hard. Only white smoke too. Never had a puff of black smoke come out of the truck yet. I got the block heater cord working today so that should make for better starts.

Got an appointment on Monday to get the y-pipe replaced and to install the EGR exaust delete pipe as well. Should make for better turbo spool up times. Going to take apart the turbo, clean all the carbon build up and reassemble. Same with the EGR valve to make sure it is closed all the way.

While there, going to retorque the head studs to make sure they didnt come loose. Check for leaks and get the oil leak under the turbo fixed as well.

The sticking injectors, well dosent seem like such a big problem at the moment. So i'll leave them be.

After that, truck should be in perfect running condition.

 

How soon do you start driving it after a -20C start and it not being plugged in?

 

I let it idile for a good 30 min before jumping in. After that, I'm pretty light on the pedal. For all the 6.0L owners out there, the shifts can be pretty hard when driving on a cold tranny.