Well I got my 6.9 back from the shop yesterday with its new engine (Reconditioned) installed. I thought everything would be great however it is hard to start, smokes like crazy, white smoke, and after driving it approximately 1 mile the temperature gauge went to the top. I stopped the truck, raised in hood, and there was excessive bubbling in the overflow tank and the radiator was approximately 7 quarts low on antifreeze. I had checked it 30 min. earlier before I started and it was completely full. I refilled the radiator and this occurred several more times. My first thought is a blown head gasket, but the engine was just installed 12 miles ago. it had a new thermostat installed, however it was not the Motorcraft as recommended. Also they installed and antifreeze, that was not recommended. I returned the truck to the shop and will confront them on Monday about this problem. Please advise me as to your thoughts and appreciative of all help I can get.
Jerry Reichert-1986 Ford F2 50 with 6.9 diesel, no turbocharger

 

Well white smoke and not wanting to start almost sounds like glow plugs, correct me if I'm wrong. And being low on coolant they probably didn't even get the thing up to temperature to allow the thermostat to open/bleed the air out. and you already stated it has the wrong thermostat installed, & I can tell you first hand I have had a stant thermostat and my 6.9 and it always overheated! I installed the Motorcraft thermostat and I run at 200 degrees all day long with no overheating issues.

 

I hate to say it, but excessive bubbling in the overflow, white smoke in the exhaust, and antifreeze consumption are all indicative of a bad head gasket. In your case I think it may have been installed incorrectly. Definatly talk to your shop about it and see what they are going to do about it.. I wouldnt drive it much until the problem is rectified.

The previous advice is very possible but with the other symptoms added in I would assume worst case scenario.

Try smelling your exhaust as see if it smells like antifreeze, this may give you a better idea as to what the issue may be.

Good luck

Bill

 

I'm afraid you are probably correct, I think it probably is a head gasket, however I'm hoping not. I went down to Ford today and requested they order the correct Motorcraft thermostat and they informed me they came with a weap hole in them for the 6.9. it will be here this Tuesday and I will check it out. I also purchased the correct antifreeze, 4 gallons of Fleet. When they installed the engine they installed all new glow plugs and return lines for the fuel The exhaust leaves a residue on the ground that looks like dirty 10 weight motor oil. When the engine first starts it runs very rough and shakes a great deal, but when it warms up for about 4 min. it appears to smooth out some but not company.
I'll keep this thread open and let you know what they find out as soon as they analyze the problem.

Jerry Reichert - Edgewood Washington

 

Please do keep us informed. With the shaking up on first starting or until warms up, I had the same issue until I timed my injection pump correctly I had it too far advanced when I installed the new pump and the thing would literally shake you out of the cab lol