Ok... here is an update on my truck.

The background of my truck is that I have a March 2003 built 6.0L motor with the original C94 injectors. These were the problem injectors (for many) which were changed out as a running line change later on in 2003 to the C95 injector. This is why when replacing injectors, they need your VIN number so they know when your truck and motor was built so you get the right replacement injector (since I think the 2004's are different as well)???

After 183,000 miles I have been having issues of bucking and jerking when cold for the first 5 miles or so and unable to go over 25mph. My RPM's would go to 2,000 and stay there and my truck would not shift properly (almost felt like a transmission problem).

I knew that my Glow Plug controller was dead or dying... but since my truck always sits in the garage, it would always start right up... so starting and idling was NEVER an issue... it was driving over an idle speed after pulling out of my street.

I changed oil and the filter and added 1 jug of Hot Shot Secret. I ran it for 800 miles... but things were getting worse... but temps here were also getting colder... so this also made it worse.

I dropped my truck off at my dealer one night so they could hook it up to the computer and test it when the motor and injectors were totally cold. The truck started (barely) and when it did, it showed that 5 out of 8 injectors were weak and could not keep up. The diesel mechanic could manually force a load onto each injector via the computer and see how the injector would respond... and 5 could not maintain fuel pressure and/or flow... hense the reason for bad performance!!!

Since the main expense is the labor and the heads must come off... I had all 8 injectors replaced and all is well.... and the computer verified that I have full power and my truck runs like new!!!!

From what I have read and people I have spoken too.... getting 183,000 miles from C94 injectors was impressive.... even though I was kind of disappointed.... but I guess if I get another 183,000+ miles, I will be happy with my Excursion!!!

Since the glow plug conroller had to come off anyways, the dealership just charged me for the part (no labor), I replaced the airfilter while they had it off.... and I am now 100%!!!!!!

I called Lubrication Specialties (Hot Shot Secret) and asked for a refund since I had to replace all 8 injectors anyways... even though I only ran their product for 800 miles.... but I actually asked for a new jug of their product for my son's truck (7.3L) and they were 100% polite and accomodating and shipped it out the same day!!!! Do not hesitate to at least try this product or take advantage of their guarentee... their C/S is 100% perfect!!!!

Can not speak to whether their product works or not... but will give it a try in my son's truck at his next oil change... but with their C/S as good as it is... I will support that aspect of their business here on the forum!!!

Thanks,

 

I think you should be extremely pleased w/ the truck AND those C94 injectors! Glad you got it all worked out. 183k miles w/ few problems is clearly a testimony to good maintenance practices IMO. Good job Jeff, and thanks for your FTE contributions.

 

Thanks... the only real maintenance items I have had to replace so far are:

1) HFCM fuel pump/filter (150,000 miles)

2) 8 Injectors (183,000 miles)

3) 2 alternators (??? miles)

4) ICP Sensor (130,000 miles)

5) TFL Sensor in Tranny (??? miles)

6) EGR valve (used good condition one my diesel mechanic had)


Overall, I have been fortunate..... but since they no longer make Excursions, I got to keep this thing going for a long time... since I love driving it!!!

 

It is clear to me that the proper fluids, filters, change intervals, fuel quality, etc all contribute to that good fortune!!

 

Did the heads have to come off to replace the injectors? And if so why?

 

Funny that you ask.... becuase I did as well (before we started).

The mechanic stated that the degass bottle, air filter and stuff like that had to be removed to gain access to the injectors and then he mentioned the "heads coming off". I asked about it in the sense, ok... but wow, since I have had zero issues with leaking heads he stated that all would be OK.. and went on to state that the gaskets for the heads are reusable. I did not question or ask further.

I did not think that the heads had to come off to gain access to the 6.0L injectors... but I did not push it or did not want to come across as a "know it all"... and he has been my personal 6.0L mechanic at the dealership for years... but now you got me wondering????

Yes or no... do the heads come off in order to change out the injectors on a 2003 6.0L motor, could he have made a mistake with another Ford/Pwerstroke motor when speaking with me at first?

I was not charged for any parts other than the new injectors and the labor was 8 hours... but they do only charge me "fleet pricing for parts and labor" and not regular retail pricing due to being a good customer.

Now you got me curious???

Thanks,

 

The heads do not have to come off to replace the injectors.

 

Beach,
Interesting story... Let us know what you find out. Also is there a noticable difference in normal temperature performance.

 

Keep in mind that two things got fixed/replaced:
1) All 8 injectors

2) Glow Plug Controller (metal box on top of passenger side valve head) - at least on my 2003.


I never had an issue with starting, but then again, I keep my truck ina garage and the temps have only started getting cold... but the glow plug controller was found to be bad 4 - 6 weeks ago... but my glow plug light always went on and then right off after 3 seconds and my truck started right up... so who knows?

On the cold morning (28F) that I left my truck at the delaer so the deisel tech could hook up the computer and chekc it out... my truck would barely start (turn over, but not start)... but it did. Five of the eight injectors were slow and weak... they would idle, but manually putting a load on them via the computer they could not handle the load (hense the reason my truck ran horribly until warm... and when going up hills (when warm) it would stumple at times.

I never had any smoke at start-up or when driving (even under WOT).

Now that all has been fixed...

1) Truck starts quicker and crisper (less revolutions of motor before it starts), but basically the same as it was before as this was not a real problem I was having.

2) Truck runs like new when I get out on the side roads and main roads... even when cold.

3) Truck runs the same RPM, same noise, same everything else cruising down the highway at 70mph.

4) No stumbling or jerking or hesitation while driving... and when I mash the pedal to the floor (WOT)... the throttle response is much improved from what it was before (that much I can notice)!!! It is crisp and firm and I get to xxxmph a whole lot faster and without hesitation and delay!!!!

Bottom line, truck runs like new... and for me, my truck basically always has... but obviously it slowly lost a little "pep" over time which I just got used to until it became to bad to put up with.

 

I'm quite sure he meant to say valve covers since those gaskets are totally reusable. He probably wouldn't have been able to remove and replace the heads on your Ex in 8 hours. Besides that, you'd probably want (or have) to remove the injectors before removing the heads.

Glad you're stil clocking along in the old Ex. I hope mine makes it that far.

 

183,000 miles and all is well.

The only other thing I forgot to mention that I had replaced earlier this spring were my front hub assemblies... one was bad, but I replaced both as I am sure the other would not be far behind. Things wear out... but dam, they are supposed to wear out on other people not me!!!

The next thing I may need to address are my brake rotors... they are warped and causing a "shimmy" when driving down the road (even when not brakng). Not sure if the "shimmy" is from my front or rear rotors, but I do NOT have any "wobble" in my steering wheel... so I am not sure? I also suspect that maybe the dealer over-torqued my lug nuts when they replaced my front hubs? The only other time my wheels have been off is at COSTCO for new tires and they exclusive hand torque to factory specs (the dealer does not)... and I forgot to ask or watch when the dealer repalced my front hubs.

I will drive through a couple of tanks and test my fuel economy with the new injectors... but with the weather getting colder, it is not really a fair comparison due to idling time and very cold ambient temps here in Kansas City.

 

Agreed... But just curious about Beachbumcooks' senerio.

 

OK.... I found out where I mis-typed or mis-stated what I meant.

What they did was remove the "valve covers".... they did not remove the "heads".

Sorry for the confusion.

 

I have been having a lope during a cold start up. I have read a lot about the stiction issues. I was about to use HSS and read on one of these sites about Sea Foam. I put 2 cans in about a 1/2 tank of fuel. (none in the oil) and after about 100 miles, holy cow what a difference. I guess mine was not a stiction issue at all, just dirty injectors. Runs better today (28F) than it did all summer. I bought the truck used and thought it was running great. Now it is like I have a whole new truck. Might go to loping again in a week, but I hope not!

 

Does seafoam contain alcohol in it? I can not remember and not sure by what other names alcohol can be listed as (chemical name)?

Alcohol is a no-no in our diesels and alcohol attracts water and allows it to get by the water seperation HFCM filter... and bad for injectors.

I would assume that one can will not hurt anything long-term, but I personally only use products made for and designed ONLY for diesels... and just because Seafoam states it is safe, does not mean it is... just that it works in a diesel.

Maybe it is alcohol free... I just can not remember.

I personally use Powerservice year-round (anti-gel/white bottle in winter and grey bottle for the rest of the time) due to price and availability, and I know that Stanadyne brand is very good (more expensive though).

Both add lubricity, cetene improvers and injector cleaners.