cylinder test issues
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
cylinder test issues
96 F350 7.3, about 255,000 miles
I ran a cylinder contribution test several times, different days, different temps and raining or sunny and my scan tool seems to think cyl 1 and 3 both have problems. sometimes cyl 1 is the problem or cyl 3 or both. never a definite answer when doing the test 2-3 times in a row.
I am thinking there may be something else wrong? I bought an injector to install in #3 which the cylinder came up more often alone or combined. Reason I think there may be more of a problem then just a plugged injector is that cyl 1 and 3 are next to each other in the cylinder head.
Antifreeze is green and good, oil is good but does use some. when the truck is started it takes a very long time for the blue smoke to go away even when its 90 degrees outside, assuming that is raw fuel from the injector or its oil getting in.
When I was doing the balance testing, cyl 1 and 3 were both working but not nearly as powerful as the other 5 cylinders when they were turned off.
perhaps a compression test?
I ran a cylinder contribution test several times, different days, different temps and raining or sunny and my scan tool seems to think cyl 1 and 3 both have problems. sometimes cyl 1 is the problem or cyl 3 or both. never a definite answer when doing the test 2-3 times in a row.
I am thinking there may be something else wrong? I bought an injector to install in #3 which the cylinder came up more often alone or combined. Reason I think there may be more of a problem then just a plugged injector is that cyl 1 and 3 are next to each other in the cylinder head.
Antifreeze is green and good, oil is good but does use some. when the truck is started it takes a very long time for the blue smoke to go away even when its 90 degrees outside, assuming that is raw fuel from the injector or its oil getting in.
When I was doing the balance testing, cyl 1 and 3 were both working but not nearly as powerful as the other 5 cylinders when they were turned off.
perhaps a compression test?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
well heres the thing I find strange, if I unplug either cyl 1 or 3 its very apparent that it is working but not as efficient as any of the other cylinders. Its noticeable but not as noticeable comparatively.
I changed the fuel filter and found a smashed busted up heater element so I replaced that as well. filter made no difference.
Fuel pressure is 580 at idle.
Another thing I noticed under the hood was bubbling around the glow plugs. easy fix, just take the good ole 10mm socket and tighten until it stops bubbling. thats probably part of my original oil consumption problem which I have narrowed down to 1 quart per tank of fuel useage.
any thoughts where I go from here? rough idle, rough low range RPMs.
I changed the fuel filter and found a smashed busted up heater element so I replaced that as well. filter made no difference.
Fuel pressure is 580 at idle.
Another thing I noticed under the hood was bubbling around the glow plugs. easy fix, just take the good ole 10mm socket and tighten until it stops bubbling. thats probably part of my original oil consumption problem which I have narrowed down to 1 quart per tank of fuel useage.
any thoughts where I go from here? rough idle, rough low range RPMs.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
I think I found the problem. My theory on this and what has been happening makes sense to me.
I noticed bubbling around the glow plugs when running.
The truck use to start up rough and delayed, took a while and hesitant to start.
Fuel injector from cylinder #3 was very sooted on the tip similar to a fouled out spark plug from an oil burning engine.
I would assume oil dripped down into the cylinders with the loose glow plugs after engine was shut off. next time I would start it the oil comes up on compression stroke and fouls tip of injectors and barfing out oily smoke from the exhaust. All of this resulting in a poor start up and heavy smoke on start up as well as a shaky engine.
Make sense?
tonight, about 24 hours of sitting I started the truck. popped right off. glow plugs warmed cylinders and it started great. minimal smoke from the tailpipe. also no more shaking. smooth. probably better than when I bought it.
coincidence?
I noticed bubbling around the glow plugs when running.
The truck use to start up rough and delayed, took a while and hesitant to start.
Fuel injector from cylinder #3 was very sooted on the tip similar to a fouled out spark plug from an oil burning engine.
I would assume oil dripped down into the cylinders with the loose glow plugs after engine was shut off. next time I would start it the oil comes up on compression stroke and fouls tip of injectors and barfing out oily smoke from the exhaust. All of this resulting in a poor start up and heavy smoke on start up as well as a shaky engine.
Make sense?
tonight, about 24 hours of sitting I started the truck. popped right off. glow plugs warmed cylinders and it started great. minimal smoke from the tailpipe. also no more shaking. smooth. probably better than when I bought it.
coincidence?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
I think I found the problem. My theory on this and what has been happening makes sense to me.
I noticed bubbling around the glow plugs when running.
The truck use to start up rough and delayed, took a while and hesitant to start.
Fuel injector from cylinder #3 was very sooted on the tip similar to a fouled out spark plug from an oil burning engine.
I would assume oil dripped down into the cylinders with the loose glow plugs after engine was shut off. next time I would start it the oil comes up on compression stroke and fouls tip of injectors and barfing out oily smoke from the exhaust. All of this resulting in a poor start up and heavy smoke on start up as well as a shaky engine.
Make sense?
tonight, about 24 hours of sitting I started the truck. popped right off. glow plugs warmed cylinders and it started great. minimal smoke from the tailpipe. also no more shaking. smooth. probably better than when I bought it.
coincidence?
I noticed bubbling around the glow plugs when running.
The truck use to start up rough and delayed, took a while and hesitant to start.
Fuel injector from cylinder #3 was very sooted on the tip similar to a fouled out spark plug from an oil burning engine.
I would assume oil dripped down into the cylinders with the loose glow plugs after engine was shut off. next time I would start it the oil comes up on compression stroke and fouls tip of injectors and barfing out oily smoke from the exhaust. All of this resulting in a poor start up and heavy smoke on start up as well as a shaky engine.
Make sense?
tonight, about 24 hours of sitting I started the truck. popped right off. glow plugs warmed cylinders and it started great. minimal smoke from the tailpipe. also no more shaking. smooth. probably better than when I bought it.
coincidence?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
Update, another 24hrs have passed and I started it again. Started right up, minimal smoke, running smooth at idle and low RPM increases.
so if someone says poor starting, rough idle and oil consumption tell them to tighten their glow plugs or check for leaks!
so if someone says poor starting, rough idle and oil consumption tell them to tighten their glow plugs or check for leaks!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
akghound
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
62
Jun 28, 2008 07:09 AM
Florida F250
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
23
Mar 31, 2007 07:12 AM
FMohlmann
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
2
Oct 22, 2006 05:51 PM
stockernavstar
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Jan 28, 2006 07:53 PM