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

cant fix failing bubble test

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2016 | 06:38 PM
  #1  
Adam Callan's Avatar
Adam Callan
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
cant fix failing bubble test

Backround: 2006 f350. New head gaskets and bolts. new oil cooler and egr cooler. 5 reman injectors. all new injector o-rings. new stand pipes and spt fitting. New fuel and oil filters. Original issue was I had 3 bad injectors and 2 sounded weak on the buzz test. So I replaced 5 (all i could afford with all the other parts) after replacing injectors truck ran like poo still, checked numbers and my oil was hotter than coolant by 30ish degrees. So, I went ahead and did all the other stuff listed above thinking maybe I had low HPOP pressure. SO.... all back together and now injector 7 is causing a failed bubble test. Replaced orings again and injector hold down is tight. Blew oil out of holes before reinstalling. Dont know what to do next. Thought if injector cup was bad i would get fuel in coolant. Please help, need truck fixed ASAP. Thank you
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2016 | 08:29 PM
  #2  
Shaneb75's Avatar
Shaneb75
Strokin Okie
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma
Club FTE Silver Member

Blowing the holes out is good, but define tight. Did you use a torque wrench? IIRC they should be torqued to 24 ft lbs.
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 01:09 AM
  #3  
run6.0run's Avatar
run6.0run
Postmaster
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City MO
Replace the #7 hold down. You mention orings,, but did you replace the copper crush washer at the nozzle?
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 04:04 AM
  #4  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Originally Posted by run6.0run
Replace the #7 hold down. You mention orings,, but did you replace the copper crush washer at the nozzle?
You thinking stacked copper washers?



Sean

6.0L Tech Folder
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 04:37 PM
  #5  
Adam Callan's Avatar
Adam Callan
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Okay, so I initially torqued them to 24ft lbs, then read online that ford bumped it to 26ft lbs, so i did that. Still getting bubbles. Then I read online that builders are doing 28ft lbs, so i did that, still getting bubbles. I used a torque wrench that gets calibrated every 6months. For the copper washer, yes I replaced it and no I did not double stack it. I am going to try the hold down, i just found a dealership that has one. I will keep you guys posted, probably wont get it in until tomorrow after work. Thank you thus far though.
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 07:40 PM
  #6  
dannyboy950's Avatar
dannyboy950
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
I would suspect stacked washers as well. You may need to clean the washer hole as well.
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2016 | 10:52 PM
  #7  
John Irwin's Avatar
John Irwin
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Patricia, Alberta
Club FTE Silver Member

What kind of injectors did you buy... Ford remans, or cheapos? My injectors failed a bubble test after new o-rings and washers, so I took them to my revered diesel shop, they tested them, and said they were leaking out of the body. I had fuel in my oil from them leaking. They were cheapos, the tech told me to replace them all. Not sure where they would leak, I don't know much about the injectors themselves.
And the shop also told me to torque to 28lbs. And the bubbles quit when I changed them.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 03:24 AM
  #8  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Adam, if I'm reading your post correctly, #7 injector has NOT been replaced but only resealed & torqued? If so and it is still failing bubble test, it's more than likely a bad injector that the pintle inside is not seating allowing compression chamber gases into the fuel system. I've had this happen and I'll try to post a video I made.
For a test, pull the injector and put a rubber hose on the injector tip. Next, pressurize the hose with shop air. While pressurized, cover the fuel inlet screens on the injector body and see if there is air pressure building and signs of bubbles. If air is escaping, replace injector.

Hope this is all clear. I'll try to get the video up. Here's a pic for now.

 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 05:49 AM
  #9  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,828
Likes: 3,113
From: Jersey Shore
Thanks for posting that. An interesting test that I may have to do. Did you see any fuel pressure issues with that injector installed? Any variation with the IDS comparison?
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 05:49 AM
  #10  
78fordman's Avatar
78fordman
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 4
From: Jefferson, Iowa
Sounds like a bad injector on 7. Being that it is number 7 which failed, I suggest you check fuel pressure while driving. Min 45 psi. low fuel pressure will kill injectors in notime.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 06:02 AM
  #11  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Originally Posted by TooManyToys.
Thanks for posting that. An interesting test that I may have to do. Did you see any fuel pressure issues with that injector installed? Any variation with the IDS comparison?
Didn't have to use the IDS. Fuel pressure was fine. The truck ran fine @ higher rpm. It was @ idle after 20 seconds or so it would start missing because it was filling the fuel rail with air and knocking off the other 2 adjacent cylinders. I narrowed it down to what side then cranked it with a glow plug removed one at a time until the bubbles stopped. With the glow plug removed and no more bubbles tells you that's the offending cylinder. After that I pull the injector, inspect crush washer and orings, then do the test above proving it's the injector pintle.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 09:05 AM
  #12  
John Irwin's Avatar
John Irwin
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Patricia, Alberta
Club FTE Silver Member

Excellent info 87crewdually. That's probably what was happening with mine... amongst other things.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 11:57 AM
  #13  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,828
Likes: 3,113
From: Jersey Shore
This is the curious fuel pressure variation I'm seeing. The pressure is steady during initial hfcm run before the engine starts but once it's started there is this rymthic condition. This video is short but the gauge just keeps repeating the same sweeps. Individual injector shutdown has no effect and no sign of bubbles in the fuel bowl when just engaging the starter.

 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 12:35 PM
  #14  
HP junkie's Avatar
HP junkie
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,965
Likes: 1
From: H-town, MN
I just had same issue after a lot of the same work. I replaced four remanned injectors and after a lot of problem solving we came to one of the injectors being the issue. I called the company and they air mailed four replacements and that took care of the problem. Also check your fuel supply line o-rings and replace them.
 
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2016 | 01:09 PM
  #15  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Originally Posted by TooManyToys.
This is the curious fuel pressure variation I'm seeing. The pressure is steady during initial hfcm run before the engine starts but once it's started there is this rymthic condition. This video is short but the gauge just keeps repeating the same sweeps. Individual injector shutdown has no effect and no sign of bubbles in the fuel bowl when just engaging the starter.
If it was an injector I'd expect it to pulse up in pressure, not down. That appears to be a small sudden loss, like the regulator valve is opening suddenly and then closing again. You could pull one glow plug at a time to see when/if it stops.
My gauge will fluctuate like that too, mostly at high idle. No worries here. Runs great with no issues.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:36 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE