Scott, while I've not been on this site as long as you have, I've never read you do what I was alluding too. I don't want to reference what I was thinking of when I wrote that. But the situation was so far out in left field and the OP was already starting down the path.

It's human nature to want to help, I guess what I was thinking of would have been avoided if the helper would have just added something like, "This worked on my old Rambler so maybe you could try it, but I'm not that familiar with diesels."

I'll refrain from talking about when I put my foot in my own mouth. A few times.

 

So maybe a post titled Tips For New Posters?

Its hard to guess the knowledge level of the OP sometimes and that is important to get right in answering a post. As we all know, a thread that says "my truck was running great for two years and this morning it won't crank" is simply impossible to answer. Check the no start thread in the tech folder is a good answer, maybe even post a hot link to help them find it, OR, you can open the can of worms by asking if "crank" means it won't start or won't turn over, OR you can ask what ICP and IPR look like.

So as you can see from the example above, the first thing is to include as much info on your issues as possible and get the year model in there too. there were many changes over the production of this engine. Year model is important to many different issues you may have.

For sure scroll through the tech folder and the thread titles on the first page or two before posting a question. It only takes a few minutes and you're likely to learn something in the process. Clicking Search/Advanced Search will get you to a dialog box where you can restrict results to the 6.0 forum an enter a keyword. The results will generally be decent. You can also Type a sentence in your favorite search page (Google or whatever) and include FTE at the end. Works pretty well also.

Some people post questions here and never come back to see if they got an answer! Maybe the forgot the site name or their friend fixes it for them or they were kidnapped by aliens, but I find these threads the most irritating. If you ask a question, at least check back sometime.

Some people have no interest in working on their truck and only post here to get an idea of how expensive the repair sounds. If that's the case just say so! The answer doesn't have to include a bunch of technical info that way and whoever replies can get to the point.

Similarly, include a sentence or two about your knowledge level, if we know it's not ok to use common acronyms and slang as shorthand we'll be able to answer in a way that you can easily understand. Of course if your question includes a high degree of technical info we can quickly understand how to reply.

This forum has some of the nicest, most polite members on the net. 98% of disagreements here are handled on a technical level, not with smartassery. The knowledge of the most active members (and some who lurk here) is amazing. If you plan to post some stupid crap or be rude you'll be better of to go to one of the other forums, it won't go well for you here.

I understand not wanting to have a bunch of personal info out on the net but as first posted, there are many people here who would come to you and lend a hand. Including your general area in your profile could prompt someone to offer the use of tools or even help making repairs. Nothing is guaranteed of course but I have met several people in person through this website and every last one are for real great folks. I've talked to many on the phone also with the same experience.

Read answers carefully! You may get an answer that is filled with a bunch of if this- then that. That's good for learning how your truck works and often has a bunch of related info but if you get a question, answer it if you can or ask for clarification if you don't understand. The reply is trying to narrow down your issue and often this poster will ultimately give you the the best answer. Ignoring or missing questions can cost you time and money.

Watch the time stamps on the responses in your thread once you ask a question and try to keep up with the tempo. I know life can get in the way but do your best. If you need to get your batteries tested at the parts store but you can't get To it until Tuesday everyone will understand but sometimes answers or more questions can come quickly and being on top of the conversation can keep interest up or a brainstorm rolling especially if you have a unusual issue.

Posting more than one thread on the same issue is NOT helpful. It can actuially cause more confusion for the folks trying to help. If you feel like your thread has been missed, just make another post, this will bring it back to the top of the list on the first page of the forum. If you don't have anything to add just type "anybody?" Or whatever. It does have to be 10 characters.

If you're asking about a common issue like oil or filters the replys will be quicker than a question about more complicated or uncommon stuff. If you post a question on a spec for something for example you may not get an answer until everyone gets off their day jobs and someone has a chance to look it up. That can sometimes make your post drop down on the list. That's a good reason to bump it back up to the top.

 

May I say "Thank You" to all here.

I am a newbie and have maybe 8 posts. The main thing I learned is that to work on these trucks, you need three things:

1) Mechanical knowledge or aptitude.
2) A scanner available. You don't have to own one, just have it available when it counts.
3) An internet connection.

Many thanks to all who have posted and video'd their progress. Without all the videos, I'd still be in deep doo-doo.

Bill in sunny (and HOT, reached 113 at the house) Tucson

 

Know anyone around Jacksonville, North Carolina? I have an 86 f250 with a 6.9 that currently won't start. Would like someone that can teach me what they are doing to it rather than just fix it lol
Hit me up if you can help, please.

 

I've always appreciated people that would actually follow up on what actually fixed their truck.

 

What is in red is part of the reason I created the map. Sadly someone broke it or Google id I am not sure
on that fact. Would of been nice if someone would of said "Hay Sean the map is hosed". Anyway it sort of
patch up. The backups would not import the way they should of. So if your reading this and your map pin
is messed up PM me and we will see about getting it fixed.

Now on the real thing. I have no problem going to lend a hand if someone is close by. I have gone out 2 times.
Well I don't know if not being able to get into Canada counts or not. Got to be careful when crossing when you
trade have tools. They for some reason think you there to take jobs away. As if they did not mess it up the 1st
and 2nd try.

Anyway if your close to me I can come visit with tools in hand.



Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

I can't send you a PM, but there's just a few things that can keep an IDI from running.


Turn the key on, and disconnect the wire from the top of the injector pump. Audible clicking? Good. No? There's your problem.
Pull the solenoid cover off the injector pump. (That's the cover that has the wiring plug you were just testing)
Nice and clean? Good. "Coffee grounds"? There's your problem.
Lift pump getting fuel to the injector pump? Did you check and verify? Let me guess, the gauge shows it has 1/2 tank. LOLOL. It does have 1/2 tank, but you can't use it because the USLD finally ate your pick up tube. There's your problem.
If none of this fixes the problem, then start bleeding the injectors.

 

I have been a member on several automotive forums over the years I've been turning wrenches on vehicles for a living, only two of which I currently frequent (this being one of them).

Although I haven't been posting nearly as frequently in recent years as I used to, it doesn't mean I don't "lurk" over some threads from time to time. I think one of the reasons for this is because I haven't seen many 6.0 diesels darkening my doorstep in a LONG time, being a dealership tech (these trucks have LONG expired their warranties). That does not mean I've forgotten how to work on them either. I will say that I kind of miss my 6.0 since I unloaded it almost a year ago now.

Having said all that, the threads I will respond to, I guess will best be described by threads that I won't. Those "I drive a BLAH BLAH BLAH with a BLAH BLAH BLAH, how can I make it go faster" threads, or "how can I make my truck roll coal" threads, I won't even take a second look at. I'm pretty sure most will agree with me. If information is extremely vague, or the OP's post is filled with nothing but misspellings, grammatical errors and is just extremely difficult to understand in general, I won't take a second look.

What DOES peak my interest however, are posts filled with every little detail regarding how a particular repair was tackled, including what led to the repair, what issues were encountered and so on. In those instances, I will offer my input if it pertains to something I have had personal experience with. If I haven't, I will NOT post or SAY what I don't KNOW.

ADDED: I WILL NOT RESPOND TO THREADS WHERE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT IS REFERRED TO AS "STEALERSHIP" BY THE OP.

 

We need to get you back into a weekend 6.0L


One thing that drives me nuts is people that have no clue what a paragraph is or how to
use the (return) Enter key, to break things up Vs a page full of letters. 128 columns is bad
enough and even worse when it's a full page of it.


Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

Another thing is when there are plenty of replies with different ideas as to what is wrong and you never hear back from the OP as to what worked.

I am one of the lurkers that have a join date of a few years ago but do not post alot. I search and read and fortunately have been pretty successful in figuring out what I needed to without starting the 432nd thread on the same topic. Sure, reading 3 pages of what "could be happening" is still helpful, but to find out what the actual resolution was would be nice sometimes.

 

I have to say, and I'll put my flame retardant suit on before I do... I used to spend a lot of time trying to help people out here and in the Super Duty forum. Because that's what I have and I've gotten to know it pretty well.

I finally burned out a bit when the advice got too generic. For example. "My 4x4 isn't working" is answered with "Check the vacuum pump."

Well, maybe. If it's a vacuum hub problem. But maybe it's the transfer case shift motor, or the relays, or it could be the vacuum pump, lines and seals. But people helping weren't helping diagnose, they were just throwing out stock answers. I can't tell you how many times I've had to ask the same questions of the newbies to help them locate and diagnose a 4x4 problem. And that's JUST the 4x4 problems. I was seeing the same thing on just about every other topic.

So it wasn't always the newbies I was frustrated at, it was the people trying to help with stock answers, not well thought out diagnosis.

THAT ought to **** in a few folks corn flakes.

I will say too, the search feature sucks. I just posted a question about fuel in my oil. I'd be willing to bet it's been answered before. But I know from experience, that I would never find the answer using the search feature. So there...

 

Or the old fart that gets all over you because you tell the first-timer how the book says to do a job
and the old fart says just do it by feel. How is the new guy going to learn how it should feel without
doing it by the book a few times to learn the feel?

One of the few times I used the ignore list and no that was not Monty S…….



Sean <BR>

6.0L Tech Folder

 

I will throw my 2 cents in here as well. FTE has been a great tool for me -- I have never felt "flamed" here but I have on other sites. I am a newbie and I do not pretend otherwise. having now asked questions, gotten answers and learned much, I have a suggestion for posting a problem -- could a form be made that the initial problem has to be submitted through? perhaps it could answer many of the pertinent questions -- How many miles on it? Are you the first owner? Has any work been done to it in the past 30 days? Do you use factory filters? etc. Do you have any diagnostic tools? If so which ones? What modifications are you aware have been done? How would you describe the concern you are interested in getting feedback?
I for one would appreciate some guidance as to what is relevant information that I could provide versus typing a bunch of stuff people don't want to read because it is too long.

Thanks, Doug

 

On the 6.0 forum there are 3 stickys, how to post pics, forum map, and tech folder.
Now most of us that have been around for a while know there is some useful information in the tech folder, in fact too much, it takes a while to find what you are looking for. There is a "no start" page there but I don't think it is really a step by step diagnostic platform, and to me it jumps around a lot and doesn't stay with the most common problems.
If there was a sticky for JUST no start ( engine turns over but doesn't fire) step by step or even just a list of all that is needed for the 6.0 to start, like, FICM volts, HPOP pressure, sync(s), etc, and how to get that info would help a lot.
We don't even needs links, just them the person to "google" how to check "FICM volts 6.0 power stroke" or "checking ICP on 6.0 power stroke"

 

A reasonably well organized and simple flow chart might be useful for that. Of course that would take a lot of work -- no start cold or hot -- battery condition and down the electric route -- then fuel (filter brands, last change), then oil (same as fuel questions), then specific sensors, parts (FICM, etc.), etc. For folks like me, knowing where to start is comforting -- like we have some control and it doesn't all have to be so mysterious.