Forced to bulletproof... ALREADY...
#1
Forced to bulletproof... ALREADY...
With less than two months of ownership, I already "get" to bulletproff my new to me X...
When I picked this thing up (about Feb 15th) it was having some fuel delivery problems and the techs at the dealership that I purchased it from convinced me that it was an issue with the tuner from people test driving it and bouncing back and forth from extreeme to fuel mileage, ect...
They tinkered with it and the last two times I drove it before I bought it, it ran perfect.
Within a few days, the problem was back on the first warm-up of the day. After a lot of research, I decide that it was probably injector stiction. I tried the majic snake oil RevX ($70). It seemed to help for a few days but its hard to tell because the weather here is never consistant so it might have been running better due to a warmer morning. It didnt fix the problem though.
About 3 weeks ago, it started spitting coolant out from the res cap. AND, just about a week ago I started getting multiple engine missfires.
So, I guess its good news / bad news for me.
The good news:
1) I think I found out what the fuel probem is... The FICM...
2) I found out what the coolant issue is... Since the EGR cooler has already been removed, it has to be a blown head gasket that is allowing my cooling system to pressurize.
The bad news:
Its going to cost me just over $3500 for head gaskets replacement and possibly another $500 for a new FICM...
Thats with a few "bulletproofing" items done along the way.
Sooooooo, Ive been working my tail off trying to earn enough OT to cover the damage and it sucks!
At least I wont have to worry about having to do it later down the road...
Oh, and before you ask.... Yes, I did talk to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. They pretty much said as far as repairs go, I can go sit on it and rotate. However, they will be happy to give me a good deal trading out of it...
When I picked this thing up (about Feb 15th) it was having some fuel delivery problems and the techs at the dealership that I purchased it from convinced me that it was an issue with the tuner from people test driving it and bouncing back and forth from extreeme to fuel mileage, ect...
They tinkered with it and the last two times I drove it before I bought it, it ran perfect.
Within a few days, the problem was back on the first warm-up of the day. After a lot of research, I decide that it was probably injector stiction. I tried the majic snake oil RevX ($70). It seemed to help for a few days but its hard to tell because the weather here is never consistant so it might have been running better due to a warmer morning. It didnt fix the problem though.
About 3 weeks ago, it started spitting coolant out from the res cap. AND, just about a week ago I started getting multiple engine missfires.
So, I guess its good news / bad news for me.
The good news:
1) I think I found out what the fuel probem is... The FICM...
2) I found out what the coolant issue is... Since the EGR cooler has already been removed, it has to be a blown head gasket that is allowing my cooling system to pressurize.
The bad news:
Its going to cost me just over $3500 for head gaskets replacement and possibly another $500 for a new FICM...
Thats with a few "bulletproofing" items done along the way.
Sooooooo, Ive been working my tail off trying to earn enough OT to cover the damage and it sucks!
At least I wont have to worry about having to do it later down the road...
Oh, and before you ask.... Yes, I did talk to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. They pretty much said as far as repairs go, I can go sit on it and rotate. However, they will be happy to give me a good deal trading out of it...
#3
Sounds like you bought a stock truck with a tuner. Can't blame it for popping, thats like 6.0 101. Especially after the guys at the dealership told you a bunch of "test drivers" had been throttling the **** out of it (including them).
How much are you filling your coolant reservoir? They revised the fill line, if you fill to the min line it is prone to blowing coolant when hot, even if the headgaskets are fine.
I agree go post it in the 6.0 forum there are plenty of gurus there who will ask the right questions and get you pointed in the right direction. $3500 for just headgaskets sounds steep. I'd get some other quotes before I pulled the trigger on that one. You will want to at least do studs while you have the heads off.
How much are you filling your coolant reservoir? They revised the fill line, if you fill to the min line it is prone to blowing coolant when hot, even if the headgaskets are fine.
I agree go post it in the 6.0 forum there are plenty of gurus there who will ask the right questions and get you pointed in the right direction. $3500 for just headgaskets sounds steep. I'd get some other quotes before I pulled the trigger on that one. You will want to at least do studs while you have the heads off.
#4
Send him a PM and see if he can help you out.
Stewart
#5
Thanks for the PM, Stewart! Yes, we'd be happy to help you out with your FICM. We repair them day in and day out with a result that is dramatically better than the dealer for a small fraction of the cost. As others have said, we can also provide you a custom program on your FICM to dramatically increase the driveability of the truck by reducing the amount of time you have to wait until the turbo spins up while also giving the possibility of better fuel economy (I'm seeing 2.5mpg better in my 05 Excursion and am just beside myself thrilled).
Before we get into all that, though, has someone actually pulled codes or determined the output voltage of the FICM so that we're sure that that's the issue?
In related news, yes, Rev-X is a great product, but there are others too. While we are distributors for the Hot Shot Secret line of products, a relatively new kid on the block is Archoil - check out http://www.evergreenamerica.com/inde...oss-solutions/.
I hope this helps soften the financial load!
Before we get into all that, though, has someone actually pulled codes or determined the output voltage of the FICM so that we're sure that that's the issue?
In related news, yes, Rev-X is a great product, but there are others too. While we are distributors for the Hot Shot Secret line of products, a relatively new kid on the block is Archoil - check out http://www.evergreenamerica.com/inde...oss-solutions/.
I hope this helps soften the financial load!
#6
#7
With less than two months of ownership, I already "get" to bulletproff my new to me X...
Its going to cost me just over $3500 for head gaskets replacement and possibly another $500 for a new FICM...
Thats with a few "bulletproofing" items done along the way.
Sooooooo, Ive been working my tail off trying to earn enough OT to cover the damage and it sucks!
At least I wont have to worry about having to do it later down the road...
Oh, and before you ask.... Yes, I did talk to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. They pretty much said as far as repairs go, I can go sit on it and rotate. However, they will be happy to give me a good deal trading out of it...
Its going to cost me just over $3500 for head gaskets replacement and possibly another $500 for a new FICM...
Thats with a few "bulletproofing" items done along the way.
Sooooooo, Ive been working my tail off trying to earn enough OT to cover the damage and it sucks!
At least I wont have to worry about having to do it later down the road...
Oh, and before you ask.... Yes, I did talk to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. They pretty much said as far as repairs go, I can go sit on it and rotate. However, they will be happy to give me a good deal trading out of it...
Trending Topics
#8
Not really stock, it just hadnt had the studs done yet...
Thats was the assumption, not a fact... Eitherway, it wasnt an accurate cause for the problem.
No, Im not going for more quotes, this is the local Powerstroke juru. I will use him. BTW, note that I said the quote includes a few more bulletproofing items too.
I already replaced the degas cap with one from the dealership. That was the first thing that I did when I noticed the problem. I checked at the local parts store first, but those caps look like POS's.
If he doesnt end up rebuilding my FICM I will get with you later. As of now, I had to tow the Excursion to his shop, so if it has to get a new FICM there to drive it home, so be it.
Yeah, Im going with ARP's...
Here is what is being done:
ARP studs
Victor Reinz head gaskets
New Oil Cooler
Blocked EGR Cooler (welded factory cooler)
New "Updated" injector rail plugs
New Thermostat
Flushed coolant system
Re-assembled with new gaskets and O-rings throughout
Parts: $1567.02 Labor: $1875.00 Total (after tax): $3571.30
If he doesnt end up rebuilding my FICM I will get with you later. As of now, I had to tow the Excursion to his shop, so if it has to get a new FICM there to drive it home, so be it.
Here is what is being done:
ARP studs
Victor Reinz head gaskets
New Oil Cooler
Blocked EGR Cooler (welded factory cooler)
New "Updated" injector rail plugs
New Thermostat
Flushed coolant system
Re-assembled with new gaskets and O-rings throughout
Parts: $1567.02 Labor: $1875.00 Total (after tax): $3571.30
#11
#12
Plus, this guy that I am using does this exact job at least 2 to 3 times a month and he said he has had great luck with the Victor gaskets. Thats good enough for me.
#13
I have done a lot of research on several forums and from other sources and have found enough good to support both sides of the arguement.
Plus, this guy that I am using does this exact job at least 2 to 3 times a month and he said he has had great luck with the Victor gaskets. Thats good enough for me.
Plus, this guy that I am using does this exact job at least 2 to 3 times a month and he said he has had great luck with the Victor gaskets. Thats good enough for me.
By the way, I think you are getting this job for a bargain. Wait till you see your Excursion 8 feet in the air and then you will know why it is somewhat expensive.
#14
#15
I have done a lot of research on several forums and from other sources and have found enough good to support both sides of the arguement.
Plus, this guy that I am using does this exact job at least 2 to 3 times a month and he said he has had great luck with the Victor gaskets. Thats good enough for me.
Plus, this guy that I am using does this exact job at least 2 to 3 times a month and he said he has had great luck with the Victor gaskets. Thats good enough for me.