6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

6.0L No Start Mystery

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Old 03-29-2014, 09:01 PM
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6.0L No Start Mystery

Hi, I have a real head scratcher with a 2004 F350 6.0L crank no start. About 1 week before any trouble, I replaced the EGR Valve with a cheap new one off ebay. Code went away and truck ran fine. My dad plowed with it for a storm, and truck ran well. After that, he took it on about a 70 mile drive, and experienced low power, similar to a clogged fuel filter. The trip ended with the truck driving poorly, eventually only going 5 mph and dying.

We had the truck towed to our garage, and after a lot of cranking, I got the truck starting but running rough. Once started, pressing the accelerator gave no response to the motor.

The truck has 220,000 miles on it. We just put a rebuilt transmission in it. The motor was replaced at 130,000 miles with an engine that had 80,000 miles on it, so this motor has about 170,000 miles on it. The motor was replaced by someone who wasn’t very professional, but it did work very well for almost 90,000 miles.

We had the truck towed to a shop that specialized in late model Ford Diesels. They have the IDS software. From here in anything in “quotes” is from the mechanic’s bill.

“1 Hour Labor, scan for codes, perform self tests, observe data from pcm. Observations: FICM output voltage 51.5V, Fuel pressure at idle 50 psi, codes for low icp indicating a bad icp sensor and/or low high pressure oil. Starter will not engage consistently interfering with further testing. Needs to be replaced before we can continue” They replaced the starter and said flexplate teeth were rounded, but the starter catches and said that was fine.

“.5 Hrs labor: Set up Test Gauge, run engine and test for proper low psi oil (ok at 80 psi)”

“4.5 Hours labor: Disassemble upper engine bay components and remove turbocharger, clean old oil residue from engine valley, set up ids for ipr command, set up air test equipment for HPO system leak test, air test the HPO System (IPR leaking, Remove ipr valve and inspect, remove icp plug and inspect, remove and replace icp sensor, inspect icp connector for updated part, replace ipr valve, pressure test HPO system again after new ipr, reinstall turbocharger along with new oil drain tube and proper hardware, apply sleeve retainer to map sensor nipple and reinstall into manifold reassemble upper engine bay components as needed, start engine and test, set up coolant system pressure gauge and monitor coolant system pressure while cranking.

Observations:

IPR Valve would not close completely and was causing a hpo system leak, icp sensor was damaged and leaking oil. icp connector was already upgraded to newer style, lots of carbon tracking indicating up-pipe exhaust leaks, this may be a previous problem that has already been corrected? Most exhaust and turbo charger clamps and v bands are installed backwards or incorrect requiring extra time to remove. Turbocharger was not properly secured to the engine, incorrect hardware install, no pedestal spacers present, incorrect o-ring on the oil drain tube, ect, ect. Oil fill tube had no o-ring and had silicone in the threads that can fall down into the cylinder head and get into the oil drains and oiling system. MAP sensor brass nipple was not secure into intake manifold allowing an air leak. Coolant bottle nipple partially broken off, firewall insulation is torn and all folded back contacting the turbo charger. Coolant hose blew off due to excessive coolant system pressure while cranking engine. Coolant system created 13psi while just cranking engine over. Most likely caused by severely blown head gasket, further testing required to confirm. Engine still does not run properly after ipr and icp replacement. Possible fuel restriction or bad hpop.”

“3 hours Labor: Remove and inspect upper fuel filter, remove fuel feed banjo bolts from right cylinder heads for inspection, clean and blow out debris from fuel bowl, remove and replace broken fuel filter stand tube, reinstall fuel feed lines to cylinder heads with new banjo bolts / check valves / and gaskets, remove lower fuel filter and inspect, replace fuel filter cap, check and tighten fuel drain valve, purge old fuel from entire system from engine back to pump, set up fuel line from pump to new fuel supply, cycle fuel pump to run fuel up to fuel bowl, prime fuel system, attempt engine start and idle on new fuel, draw fuel sample from tank for testing.

Observations: Upper fuel filter is twisted but not too dirty. Fuel filter stand pipe was broken and was allowing unfiltered fuel to the injectors. Small plastic pieces of the broken standpipe found in both fuel feed lines at the banjo fittings. Fuel drain valve was not tight possibly allowing air into the system. Engine still not running correctly. Most likely needs a HPOP. Probably not worth doing due to suspected head gasket problem.

.5 Hrs labor: set up mechanical gague on HPO system to test pump pressure at startup and confirm icp readings, cycle engine on starter and record hpo system pressure at crank, remove test gage and reinstall icp sensor, confirm ficm sync again, re-program ficm with current calibration.

Observations: HPO system pressure 650 - 700 psi during engine crank. System requires 510 psi for engine start. Observed gauge pressure matched icp sensor data. Fuel tests ok.

2 Hrs labor: Remove and replace ficm with test ficm, attempt start while monitoring data, crank engine repeatedly attempting to start, inspect wiring harness between crank sensor and pcm / pcm and ficm, set truck up on lift, remove and inspect crank sensor, inspect crank trigger, install new crank sensor, attempt start repeatedly while monitoring data, remove and inspect cam sensor, install used cam sensor for testing, attempt start while monitoring data, move truck from lift, remove test cam sensor and reinstall original cam sensor, reassemble engine parts as needed for customer pick up.

Observations: No codes set while cranking with old ficm. Crank synchronization codes set while cranking with stock ford test ficm. Intermittent “NO” sync observed on laptop data while cranking along with drop to 84 rpm sensor data on the laptop while the no sync occurred. Found intake hold down stud protruding through one wiring harness but no chafed wires are evident. Communication and power wires in harness from sensor to pcm and pcm to ficm all test ok. Crank sensor was broken and glued in with gray silicone. Crank trigger is intact with no broken welds Cam sensor was installed crooked and had gray silicone indicating a possible air gap problem. No change with no start condition with new crank sensor and test cam sensor installed. Next step would be to perform cranking compression test to determine relative compression on both banks and possibly install a test pcm to rule that out depending on results of compression test.

2 HRS labor: Disconnect and remove left bank glow plug harness, remove left bank glow plugs and perform cranking compression test, disassemble and remove valve cover, hpo rail, etc to access injectors, remove and inspect left bank injectors.

Observations: Cyl 2 400 psi, cyl 400 psi, cyl 6 350 psi, cyl 8 340 psi. Head gasket most likely blown between cyl 6 & 8 as well into water passage. Fuel inlet screens on all left bank injectors are discolored but not clogged. Next step would be to send injectors out for testing.”

At this point, the mechanic said regardless of what any other test would show, a head gasket job would be needed. To do it properly, it would be about $8,000, including a new oil cooler, bypass filter, ect, ect ect. At this point we figured further diagnosis would be fruitless. However, he noted that he has never seen a blown head gasket so bad that it would cause a no start.



We are left to assume the no start is from the following:

1) All or enough of the injectors uniformly failed due to a(poor fuel (from a tank at our garage) b (there was never seize on the lower fuel filter housing threads that could have gotten into the fuel) and/or c (failed fuel filters from less than professional service)

or

2) Since we did not check the odd cylinders for compression, there could be one there so bad that it would cause a not start.

or

3) A combination of 1 & 2

or

4) A wire harness issue that did not show up to IDS

or

5) The mechanic never tested for the sync of the crankshaft before this truck and didn’t know if the out of sync was a problem. Maybe this has to do with the no start?

or

6)???

Since the injectors would have to be put back in, I had him put in 4 from our previous engine just to give it a shot and no change. (Those 4 injectors could have very well been bad. They looked better than the ones that were pulled, but I know that doesn't mean anything)

“ 2 Hrs Labor: clean all parts as needed, install new o-rings onto customer supplied injectors, install customer supplied injectors, reassemble engine as needed to test for start, crank engine and attempt start, set up battery charger, monitor hpo system pressure to determine when enough air had exited the system for starting to occur, continue cranking and attempt to start, remove test FICM.

Observations: Cranked engine until 700 PSI HPO psi was achieved for a considerable amount of time to purge air from hpo system and still no start. Engine cranking returned to slow initial crank followed by fast crank indicating system is attempting to fuel. Recommended not continuing with any further work unless the engine is going o be overhauled to fix the head gasket problem”

Total cost was $2514 and still no definite reason while

Any clue what else it could be?

On Monday, I will try to crank the motor while spraying diesel mist into the turbo to try and rule out a huge compression leak.

If I can’t get it to start, I will check compression on the odd cylinders.

$100 to anyone who correctly diagnoses the problem and helps me get it running. I can’t get anymore info from the IDS, but I do have a code scanner with live data.
 
  #2  
Old 03-30-2014, 02:01 AM
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Moved to the 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel forum.
 
  #3  
Old 03-30-2014, 04:26 AM
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Sounds like to me they Had No Idea how to diagnose a 6.0L so one of everything should do

NOT!!

Iv come to the conclusion theres lots of crapy shops out there


if its truly down on compression then that sucks DID IT PUKE COOLANT EVRE

It was a long thread I didn't read all yet

Will have to read again though
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 04:33 AM
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IDK if I trust the Head Gasket theory if it never Puked Coolant

you should see white crap around coolant bottle cap if it puked

shop sounds Sketchey at best

the Injectors MUST Pass a Bubble test NOW!! is about your next Move considering it don't PUKE Coolant!!!

Post cranking RPM and Volts ICP and IPR% FICM MAIN Power
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 04:34 AM
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lol....gosh I had trouble with this one too Benny!! Eye strainer... I will be rereading in the morning, but so far in the beginning with ICP kind of made sense with some of the symptoms but irrelevant now after so many hands have been under that hood and no data from when it 1st occurred.

And they said the nipple off the degas was already half broken... highly unlikely to miss that! Either they broke by accident or just inflating the bill.

Hopefully someone more awake can aid sooner.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 06:10 AM
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Wow....what a mess, and still no diagnosis as to what's wrong. IMHO it looks like they took a $2500 guess and still have no clue.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by dpassarella

$100 to anyone who correctly diagnoses the problem and helps me get it running. I can’t get anymore info from the IDS, but I do have a code scanner with live data.
Knowing the exact codes would go a long way in helping us point you in the right direction. Get ready to post some live data.
We need to know, ICPV's at KOEO, ICP pressure while cranking and the IPR% while cranking and any current DTC's. If there was oil in the ICP connector it could be giving false readings to the PCM and that alone can prevent it from starting.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 07:19 AM
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Thank you all for your posts. As for the shop, they did seem very knowledgeable, but this obviously has me very down on them.

The truck has never fully puked coolant, however there is a small amount of dried coolant residue trickling down from the cap on the degas bottle. I have noticed that after I drive the truck, the coolant looks low. However, when I remove the cap, the level goes back to around the minimum.

The truck did pass a bubble test before the injectors were pulled. There were things he told me over the phone not posted on the bill. At this point I will still give him the benefit of the doubt as other truck owners said they came highly recommended.

As for the nipple on the degas bottle, the flange broke off, not the whole nipple, which is why it was holding on before it got to their shop.

I will try and get the info posted, however I don't have the IDS.

The ICP had been replaced, and he did confirm that the gauge pressure matched the icp sensor reading, so I think for now we can rule out oil in the icp connector.

I will try and get the info tomorrow when I am back at my garage.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 07:54 AM
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Also get the fpw during cranking.

Sent from my leash using IB AutoGroup
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 11:43 AM
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That's a read for sure.

Did a quick coolant pressure search, found an old one from Cheezit that showed a quick increase of coolant pressure. Was an EGR cooler failure:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...9-08-03-a.html

No sync is an issue. If the mech tested as he said and could find no issues with the wiring, and used another to try and still couldn't get sync. Could be an issue with the PCM. Would need another one to test with.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 11:50 AM
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Are you refilling the coolant to the maximum line?

It should be kept about a 1/4 inch below the minimum line when cold.
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 11:55 AM
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That Shop ChaRGED lABOR mUILTIPLE tIMES FOR SAME THING to be Torn Apart

What Butt plugers


opps

I be Pissed as Hell looking at that receipt and sadly it only someone that tested it seamed Lost
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 12:00 PM
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I would start testing Over Start with what you can give usll

Blown head gasket should still start UNLESS its Smoking Hard

Pull the oil filler CAP OFF and Crank it Chjeck For Blowby

Does the crank sound Uneaven IDK it wasn't that Uneaven PSI Plus it should idle


YOU GOT A lot of searchen on this Site the answer is here somewhere

Your best Move was leaving that shop

Personaly I think that shop should fit a FTE Bad Shop Criterea List right next to PA Shop you guys know that one

Owner said nothing Bad about them "YEt" Seams Sincere on just wanting the truck fixed
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by amdriven2liv
That's a read for sure.

Did a quick coolant pressure search, found an old one from Cheezit that showed a quick increase of coolant pressure. Was an EGR cooler failure:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...9-08-03-a.html

No sync is an issue. If the mech tested as he said and could find no issues with the wiring, and used another to try and still couldn't get sync. Could be an issue with the PCM. Would need another one to test with.


This kinda test would be Great remember your truck needs to run for this^^^ Test If it the one Im thinking Sean??


Then crank test engine with scanner KOEO and Crank something we will find WHY IT WONT START could be a wire or anything Hope they didn't sabatoge it

RPM
VOLTS make sure to take during Cranking lets see how far it drops kinda load test on the batteries
ICP
ICPV
IPR
FICM X3
EGR VOLTS

2004 VINTAGE
idk ARE YOU EGR INFERRED so Pull egr
and you must Bubble test newly Installed old Injectors and why didn't they run

SYNC x2
Or FPW would be Better as mentioned by Fordman^^^^^^^^^^^

Did you load test Both Batterys or Hydrotest specific gravity will work

Has truck ever been Tuned?????????
And Any Recent work Other then this OIL Changes and silimilar included

Give us it life history as you know it

And where is your ICP Sensor

Any Smoke

You going to wrench it?
Not bad to work on Just need to complete a Thuro diagnostic before teardown, HAHAHA sounds like the other Guys got Excited LOL they don't know how to test it

I would say Money Hungry But Looking at there Teardown list from first post suggests Otherwise

But if you willing to test Between all the folks here we will find it why wont start

It should idle IMO at minimum blown HG or Not
 
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Old 03-30-2014, 02:35 PM
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I want to get the data for you guys, but I don't have the VCM/IDS. Does anyone have any experience with the new VCM II ones from China. I am thinking of picking one up for around $415 and returning it if it turns out to be crap. The sellers have very high reviews and it would be covered by the ebay money back guarantee. I have a feeling i will get blasted for it, but figured I would ask. I really want/need to get this truck back running in the next few weeks.
 


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