Time for head studs?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Time for head studs?
I don't know much now, but I knew even less a few months ago when my FICM imploded. In the process of trying to figure out what the problem was myself, I noticed "white stuff" all over the driver's side manifold. When I asked if that was related to the FICM going out, the repairman said that it was. I've since noticed a loss of coolant, and the same white stuff on parts where it wasn't before. In short, I think I have a head gasket leaking. No real problems with the truck except a VERY intermittent rough idle and that dang wiggling fuel pressure gauge. Any chance that I'm wrong about the gasket leaking?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Any chance that I'm wrong about the gasket leaking?[/QUOTE]
I was going to write just a simple "no", but maybe you'll get lucky. Can you test your coolant system for pressure and leaks? I would think this is unrelated to the FICM issue. It really sounds like you are puking. Those white spots cost me a lot of money a few yrs ago.
I was going to write just a simple "no", but maybe you'll get lucky. Can you test your coolant system for pressure and leaks? I would think this is unrelated to the FICM issue. It really sounds like you are puking. Those white spots cost me a lot of money a few yrs ago.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I was going to write just a simple "no", but maybe you'll get lucky. Can you test your coolant system for pressure and leaks? I would think this is unrelated to the FICM issue. It really sounds like you are puking. Those white spots cost me a lot of money a few yrs ago.[/QUOTE]
I added a coolant filter a few weeks ago (long after white spots were first noted), so I've been watching all of those connections for any kind of leak and have seen none. As to testing pressure, I'm not aware of a way to test it but I'm willing to learn.
I added a coolant filter a few weeks ago (long after white spots were first noted), so I've been watching all of those connections for any kind of leak and have seen none. As to testing pressure, I'm not aware of a way to test it but I'm willing to learn.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Unfortunately I am not in a position to be teaching - I am still definitely the student too! I think there is a gauge you can fit to the degas bottle to see if pressures run too high - it will puke if over 16psi, IIRC. There is also a way to test for exhaust gas in the coolant. Hopefully a tech will add some more detail for you.
I do know one thing for sure though - it's not you EGR cooler! (deleted right?)
I do know one thing for sure though - it's not you EGR cooler! (deleted right?)
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
This is one of the pressure testers I have seen, but never used.
Mityvac MV4560 Radiator/Cooling System and Pressure Test Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive
Mityvac MV4560 Radiator/Cooling System and Pressure Test Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
Here is one of the combustion gas testers. I don't have one of these either.
UVIEW 560000 Combustion Leak Tester : Amazon.com : Automotive
I know I can't do the head gaskets myself so I just paid for all of it. If you are capable, then these kits might be worth the investment to make sure your diagnosis is correct before you start fixing stuff.
UVIEW 560000 Combustion Leak Tester : Amazon.com : Automotive
I know I can't do the head gaskets myself so I just paid for all of it. If you are capable, then these kits might be worth the investment to make sure your diagnosis is correct before you start fixing stuff.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Here is one of the combustion gas testers. I don't have one of these either.
UVIEW 560000 Combustion Leak Tester : Amazon.com : Automotive
I know I can't do the head gaskets myself so I just paid for all of it. If you are capable, then these kits might be worth the investment to make sure your diagnosis is correct before you start fixing stuff.
UVIEW 560000 Combustion Leak Tester : Amazon.com : Automotive
I know I can't do the head gaskets myself so I just paid for all of it. If you are capable, then these kits might be worth the investment to make sure your diagnosis is correct before you start fixing stuff.
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Hotshot
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Nah, I have neither the time nor the skill. Yes, my EGR is long gone. One question I bet you can answer: if I get my studs, am I now able to just "put foot through the floor?" We all talk about EGTs, boost, etc. "if you don't have studs." So if I have studs, can I just go nuts?
Depends^^^^
you will need fuel system upgrades depending what you do with it
one thing usually leads to another
I figure its about a 5K Hit to make a race truck and do it right
But if you stud it and Tune it with stock sticks and OEM Turbo then Minimum would be a Fuel system upgrade a regulated return or something
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Hmmm, good question...I bought an EGR delete kit from one of the companies that were considered to make a top quality kit at the time (3-4) years ago. Can't recall the name, but it was not just a cap off, but rather a complete delete. I will say that the truck has no loss of power issues, nor have any of the monitors indicated that anything is wrong. Think there might be a problem with my delete?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Depends^^^^
you will need fuel system upgrades depending what you do with it
one thing usually leads to another
I figure its about a 5K Hit to make a race truck and do it right
But if you stud it and Tune it with stock sticks and OEM Turbo then Minimum would be a Fuel system upgrade a regulated return or something
you will need fuel system upgrades depending what you do with it
one thing usually leads to another
I figure its about a 5K Hit to make a race truck and do it right
But if you stud it and Tune it with stock sticks and OEM Turbo then Minimum would be a Fuel system upgrade a regulated return or something
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Hmmm, good question...I bought an EGR delete kit from one of the companies that were considered to make a top quality kit at the time (3-4) years ago. Can't recall the name, but it was not just a cap off, but rather a complete delete. I will say that the truck has no loss of power issues, nor have any of the monitors indicated that anything is wrong. Think there might be a problem with my delete?
I see
Basicaly I was just getting at if the egr cooler had been welded shut as some of those do NOT get welded right and Leak
those need to be TIG Welded and some are not especially the ones off E-Bay
But if the cooler is gone then no worries there
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Just Googled EGR delete kit. I believe it was Rivercity diesel's kit. Well thought of at the time, may not be now. Do you expect other symptoms like power loss or such with a gasket leak?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
EGT would be good to watch
Boost should be regulated with the Tune
If it did overboost then the Turbo might be dirty or a Bad sensor basicaly would be no more of a concern than a Stock truck as far as problem developing but should be able to push more Boost psi with studs the Tune writer would know about that stuff and how much boost he can push threw it
I would look into a Fuel system upgrade for shure cuz the Tune will push more fuel and the OEM setup isnt the Best since its regulated before the Fuel rail in the Heads.
Its better if the Fuel Press is regulated After the Fuel rail in the Head and your injectors will last longer this way
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
So if I have studs, can I just go nuts?[/QUOTE]
Well, you see what I have and 3 yrs later, no head gasket troubles. I would stick to tunes with the SCT from Matt at Gearheads or IDP tunes and don't tow with a race tune. I do not worry about flooring it. I really don't know if you change the injectors though. I think you just meant about driving style - yeah, after studs just go nuts!
Well, you see what I have and 3 yrs later, no head gasket troubles. I would stick to tunes with the SCT from Matt at Gearheads or IDP tunes and don't tow with a race tune. I do not worry about flooring it. I really don't know if you change the injectors though. I think you just meant about driving style - yeah, after studs just go nuts!