Hello all and thanks in advance. I tried to search this forum for any ideas to my problem but I only got more confused so I decided to create a new post to get help from you guys!
My truck is completely stock. 2004 cc/lb, 237000 miles, head studs egr cooler and oil cooler replaced at 172000 by my local Ford dealer, original injectors, and few other parts over the years. I am the original owner and this is my daily driver.
Here's my problem.
The truck has been running great but last week while in stop and go traffic I noticed a small puff of black smoke while leaving a stop light. Again truck is running without a hiccup. When I got home I pulled the egr and it was very dirty. I cleaned it up but before I put it back in I wanted to clean the area where it goes when I saw there was some black, pasty material at the bottom of the well. I pulled as much out as I could and put the egr back in. The next day I still had a little smoke on acceleration. From what I've read it sounds like the egr cooler is bad. Is this a safe assumption?
I would like to repair this myself but after watching a few videos I'm not sure if I have enough patience to tackle such a big project.
I do plan on checking my coolant level today and I do have a scan gauge. I have noticed. That my deltas have been fluctuating more than normal. The highest I saw was a 12 degree difference. The truck is also running about 10 degrees hotter too. But it is getting warmer around here.
I hope I gave enough info.
Thanks again!

 

The EGR cooler failing will produce white smoke, with the increase in temperature and black smoke I think you may have an injector going south on you. Have you had it scanned for codes? You can have pending codes without a check engine light.

 

Park the truck nose down over night and pull the EGR to check again. It should be wet if it is the cooler. It may also be a little oil mixed with the soot from the CCV.

 

injector, boost or sensor issue. check for codes 1st.

 

Probably just oil from the ccv system. Normal.

 

I stopped by Auto Zone to have them scan the truck. The only thing they found was an inactive P0671. Something with the glow plug on cylinder one. Still blowing a small puff of black smoke taking off from a stop light. More so after the turbo spools up. I'm guessing an injector or a dirty turbo?

 

guessing will cost you money

 

Sounds like your EGR is sticking or failing.

Drive it til it throws the codes for the EGR then replace with a brand new one, not reman.

You can go a long time with one bad glow plug, or two, or three...