I picked up a 1996 F250 ECSB 4X4 the other night. I haven't had a chance to dig into it much at all but here are some things I've noticed.

*runs cold all the time
*no black smoke when charging a hill and pulling a trailer
*turbo won't spool

Tonight I am going to replace the fuel filter, flush the cooling system and throw in a new thermostat. I just thought I would see if anyone had any input on the turbo issue and the lack of particulate. I'm not trying to "roll coal" but with what little experience I have in a diesel, it seems abnormal and underpowered. Thanks for any input!

 

these do run cold and don't usually make lots of black smoke


Do you have a tire pressure gauge to check fuel pressure? must be over 40 psi at idle and WOT


Filters, oil and other PM stuff should be done since you don't know when it was done last.


Do you have a boost gauge?
Might want to get one and an EGT gauge when towing


Exhaust leaks? any will cause boost to drop
Turbo to engine leaks can happen and that will make for low boost


Have a scanner yet?


You can get a GT scanner and app for under 15 dollars that will tell a lot about what is going on in the engine.

 

If it's not smoking then the turbo is spooling. These trucks are only 215hp and 450tq. They'll tow just about anything. They just don't do it fast. Gearing has a big affect on towing. I'd get all filters and oil changes and look for pre turbo exhaust leaks and boost leaks.

 

They run cool not cold.
With a good t-stat these trucks should get up to the R. Mine gets up to the M with the 203*

Fuel psi should be min. of 63psi at idle.

 

I have not checked the fuel pressure yet. All the PM will be done this weekend. Do you have any suggestions on gauges? What is a GT scanner? I couldn't find anything when I searched for it. All the scanners I have run across are in the 3-450$ range and plug into your laptop!
Thanks for the replies

 

BT scanner that can connect to phone, tablet or windows PC


Vgate is one a bought and told me some good info about whats going on


I jus bought ScanTool OBDLink SX 425801 OBD-II / OBD 2 Scan Tool USB with OBDwiz Software for 29.00 since my BT one cant do CCT or Buzz test

 

Nice, I will have to look into these scanners you mentioned. So should I be able to hear my turbo spool up or no?

 

Depends on the exhaust and your leaks.

Usually you can hear through exhaust or the intake to some degree.

 

If it weren't spooling you would not even been able to hit 55 mph and a big cloud of black smoke would follow.
Still have the stock exhaust? Intake?
Once you open up the intake with a 6637 air filter you will hear the turbo whistle.