Hi Folks,

Seems if I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...

A few weeks ago I got in my 2005 EX and started for work. As I idled in traffic, the engine started surging (it had never done this before). So I took it right to Ford and dropped it off before it got worse. Of course, they couldnt look at it until Monday (this was a Thursday), so I had to get a rental.

I get the call on Monday that the surging problem was an injector, but covered by my warranty. But, it seems that my EGR cooler was bad, which was a $2300 repair.. but even more important was my blown head gasket.

WHAT?! My truck did NOT have a blown head gasket when I dropped it off. But thats besides the point. There was much back and forth between Ford and my warranty company, but finally I got them to cover the head gasket.

But, I had to pay for the EGR cooler. So I asked the Ford mechanic if I could supply him with an upgraded cooler, so I wouldn't have this issue in the future. He said no problem. I then told him I was going to buy a Bulletproof and he said no, get a delete kit. He said "I've done a number of these, and its really the best solution.". He even HEAVILY recommended the ADT Delete kit. He even said that since I have a 2005, we can just leave the EGR valve hooked up and I wouldn't have a CEL issue.

Fast forward several days. I picked up my EX last night and... CEL is on. I called and spoke to the mechanic and he told me that I must have an upgraded program, and that my only option is a tuner to turn off the EGR completely. He also told me that I don't need an expensive SCT or Bullydog just for the EGR.

So... I just spent $2k for the EGR work (I supplied the ADT kit). And, since it took 22 freaking days, another $1k on a rental in the meantime. So, money is a little on the tight-side.

Good news, though, is now I've got ARP studs and an EGR delete to help solidify my ride.

Anyways, with all of the above setting of the stage complete, just wondering what my best option is here... Is there a simple/cheaper tuner I can use to just disable the EGR? Is it worth the money to get a more expensive tuner? For the most part, this is my daily driver and I don't need a performance or towing tune. I wouldn't mind better mileage, though

So.. what's my best options?

 

Curious as to what coolant you are using? Also wondering about the EOT-ECT temperature differential?

You did leave the EGR valve hooked up?

 

First I'd confirm that the code is EGR related.

 

I'd also double check the valve is there and plugged in, never know what they say they're doing and what they do isn't always the same.

 

SCT is the only way to go. If you don't have anything to monitor your trucks vitals I like the Livewire whick I run on both of my 6.0 You can also get custom tunes to down load into it.

 

Some 05s had CEL issues with deletes and some didn't, but I think it had to do with if an early build or later build. As I recall, they all threw CEL once 05s were upgraded to later tunes so yours throwing CEL doesn't surprise me at all after a delete. Not sure about earlier builds, i.e. 03 and 04, but I think they were more forgiving with CEL. Controls on emissions were becoming more and more stringent as people were finding ways to bypass emissions devices in those days and the feds were more and ore aggressive as a result. I agree hands down with per4mance on the SCT tuner. And of course, you want to ensure the EGR is plugged in as I've ready that it is necessary for efficient cooling fan operation.

 

First, I only use Gold coolant from Ford... Second, I dont know what you mean with EOT-ECT. I only act like I know what I'm talking about

Yes, the tech told me that it was an EGR code. He also told me he left the valve plugged in, as that's what the instructions said in the ADT kit I gave him. I'd check myself to be sure, I just don't know where to look...

Do you think I should get the livewire over the cheaper SCT? Is it worth the difference in price? Also, how do I get custom tunes? Do I have to have them created by SCT? And how much do they cost? Yeah, I know absolutely nothing about this end of things..

Yeah, I'd read that too, that the fan clutch wont fully engage without the EGR plugged in.

Oh, and I had to replace both parts of my Hydroboost system, and the mechanic believes that I was updated when that work happened, which is why the CEL isn't behaving like it should with a 2005. Of course, I'd still like to see for myself that the thing is there and plugged in.

 

Ford Gold is not very robust. It can cause problems if not maintained RIGOROUSLY. I would suggest you change to an EC-1 rated ELC coolant.

ECT - Engine Coolant temperature
EOT - Engine Oil temperature

Since your EGR cooler failed, I am trying to understand if it MIGHT have had something to do with a plugged oil cooler (coolant side). the way you tell is get the engine fully up to temperature (15 minutes of driving) and at 65 mph, see how many degrees above the coolant temperature that the oil temperature is.

Very basic skill to acquire for a 6.0L owner.

 

Thanks for the coolant stuff. I read somewhere else that gold was the way to go. Teach me to believe everything I read...

As for the ECT/EOT I'm going to need a reader for that, right? I have a Scanguage from my last truck, but somehow my daughter lost the cable... I was looking at the Banks monitor, but maybe I should just fork up for the SCT Livewire and kill 2 birds with one stone. I was also considering adding the monitoring to the touch-screen head unit I'll be putting in soon. So many choices...

 

SCT doesn't read codes very well (or at least it didn't used to).

The scangauge is not very good at codes either.

Better choices would be i-Phone or Android devices - all you need is a bluetooth adapter (ELM327) and the software (as long as you have the device (phone, tablet, etc). Forscan, TorquePro, DashBoss, etc. AutoEnginuity is great also. People like the Edge CTS as well.

 

Yeah, I was thinking about getting bluetooth dongle to work with the head-unit Im looking at. Just not too sure how often I'd have it on that screen. I'll look at the other brands. Looked at the Edge, and it was cool, but expensive..

 

Any idea on an ELM327 that works with Diesel? I keep reading different ones that don't support diesel...

 

Some of the 2005 Excursions have the carry over 2004 engine and will therefore have 2004 programming.

If I remember correctly, it wasn't until about late Spring 2005 when they started putting the 2005 engines in the Excursion.

What's your build date?

You should find it on the door jam sticker

 

7 Best Bluetooth OBD2 Adapters & Scanners - MyCarNeedsThis

I have android devices and I use the BAFX and it has worked flawlessly, but it is not for iOS

This has good reviews

 

+1 on BAFX. No point in trying to save $10 via an EBay special. No problems with either of the BAFX units I've bought.