Hey Guys,
I'm new to this whole diesel thing and have been reading A LOT on the forum. All most to much info as i don't know where to start and need some help please.

Truck back ground - bought it use about 5 months ago. 2006 f 350, 71k miles, fx4, 8 inch pro comp lift, edge evolution programer ( i bought 3 months ago and only use economy mode and tow mode, no hot roding), just did oil change 1k ago and all ford products, EOT 200 -205 ECT 186-190

Problem - About 3 months ago i was heading up the mountain pass and loss power and truck went into limp mode. I was able to pull over and turn the truck off and started back up with no problem untill another hour. Same thing... Happened 3 times till i was able to get to a shop. Luckily it was only my thermostat stuck open not letting the truck get to operating temp. After leaving the shop about 30 minutes later i parked and steam was coming out of the engine. The coolant had puked out of the cap and quite a bit. I though maybe they just over filled it. I added more coolant as it was now at the minimum level and same thing happened so i have just left it at the minimum level. No problems with the temperature. Now my concern......In the morning when i go to start it (its been in the 30's -40's) its a little rough start for about 10-20 seconds and then its fine. Also white smoke comes out for about a minute and i smelled it but it smells like fuel not coolant.

What should I do and where do I start at??? injectors, glow plugs, relays, coolers, head gaskets,??? Any suggestions would be super grateful!

 

First of all. the coolant level is SUPPOSED to be at the min level......

After you have driven it, park it with the front lower than the rear(let it cool down) and pull the EGR valve. See if there is coolant inside....if so, probably bad EGR cooler and oil cooler. And it prob lifted the heads too.... Most people here won't run the Edge programmer..... ruins the tranny.

 

Ok then why do they have a max level then?? seems silly

Ill check the egr valve when i get home. How does the edge programer ruin the tranny? shifts harder?? it seems to smooth shifts out since i installed it? Thanks for your help

 

From the factory, they established those levels, but after much r&d, they found that the max level the coolant should be is at the min level.

 

Ok problem... couldn't even get the EGR valve off!!! got it to twist but nothing, even with a coat hanger and a long torque bar?! I read threads on how to do it and everything. I was pouring sweat and trying everything and didn't want to damage anything. Even tried WD40 and tapping with a hammer (I know lightly) and a screw driver! Nothing! I don't want to freaking rip the thing out of there! Any help? Thread link maybe? thanks

 

use a small pry bar - works great.

 

lol - seems like us owners did all the r&D FOR ford on that issue!!

 

yep. stay away from the edge tuner and the bullydog tuner. they put too much stress on our trannys. my buddy blew his tranny running a bullydog.

 

I took out the egr valve and was really caked with crap. Cleaned it with brake cleaner and turned out like new. I took a picture of where the valve sits and did notice a little liquid in there. I cant seem to get a picture to post though. Is that coolant?? I did spray a good amount of wd40 to get the sucker off. Ideas?? Thanks

 

FYI - don't use brake cleaner in the future. The EGR valve seals don't really like it and it is possible for it to "wick" up the shaft.

I think you need 25 posts to be able to put up pics (something like that anyway).

Were you losing coolant before it puked? Can you collect a little of the liquid in a small cup and smell it?

If you have poor combustion, you can get a little unburned fuel there also.

Did you adjust your coolant level? Try putting a pressure gauge on the degas bottle (I hear that Autozone is selling a test kit).

 

Well I've only owned the truck for 5 months so who knows what was going on before I bought it.

No i was not losing coolant before the puke

What should the pressure be at? Also what does it tell me? If I have a leak somewhere?

 

Just did a coolant pressure test and results point to HG blown. I got around 11psi on the first run up a steep hill and second run about 15.5psi. Am I right assuming its a head gasket problem? Probably a EGR cool as well? Does anybody know a trust worthy diesel tech in Seattle? Thanks