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Urgent Help Needed 2013 f250 lean codes

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Old Jul 4, 2018 | 05:55 PM
  #1  
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Urgent Help Needed 2013 f250 lean codes

Howdy all,

The work truck has been giving me fits, I took a video of the cold start and then another video showing the live data as it idles. It's really off, must be a vacuum leak, but where do I start? I already replaced the PCV valve, which helped (pcv was literally empty, I'll post a picture). Any advice on where to start would be much appreciated, I already sprayed soapy water and couldn't see any bubbles. Thanks for all and any input.

https://youtu.be/IJF8jKuMR2A

https://youtu.be/KRMVwFy4h7M
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 06:09 AM
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you will not see bubbles.. as vacuum is pulling air INTO engine ... not out of engine.

with engine idling.. use a propane torch.. NOT LIT.... so raw propane can enter cracks/leaks... and idle speed will change when you get near the leak..
or use starter fluid.. and spray at hoses/connectors same will change idle speed..

but keep both away from Hot Exhaust manifolds.... over spray..
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 07:43 AM
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how many miles are on the engine, and were the plugs ever changed?
my 2014 had 97k miles on it when i got it and had lean codes.
needed spark plus........bad.
unburnt gas got into the cats and burned them out.
the only way to get rid of the lean codes was to replace the catalytic converters and 02 sensors after the plugs were replaced.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford
you will not see bubbles.. as vacuum is pulling air INTO engine ... not out of engine.

with engine idling.. use a propane torch.. NOT LIT.... so raw propane can enter cracks/leaks... and idle speed will change when you get near the leak..
or use starter fluid.. and spray at hoses/connectors same will change idle speed..

but keep both away from Hot Exhaust manifolds.... over spray..
I'll give that a shot, could tgut just be a vacuum line?
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
how many miles are on the engine, and were the plugs ever changed?
my 2014 had 97k miles on it when i got it and had lean codes.
needed spark plus........bad.
unburnt gas got into the cats and burned them out.
the only way to get rid of the lean codes was to replace the catalytic converters and 02 sensors after the plugs were replaced.
101k and they were recently changed
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 10:28 AM
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it's not the total miles traveled...

it's the type of miles traveled.

when I got my 2012 truck in 2015.. it already had 136,000 miles and 4,100 driving hours and 600 idle hours...
original spark plugs ( I changed them quickly )
original cats and O2 sensors.. currently truck is at 159,000 miles. an all is still well..
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford
it's not the total miles traveled...

it's the type of miles traveled.

when I got my 2012 truck in 2015.. it already had 136,000 miles and 4,100 driving hours and 600 idle hours...
original spark plugs ( I changed them quickly )
original cats and O2 sensors.. currently truck is at 159,000 miles. an all is still well..
Its been 20 thousand miles, sorry but did you even look at the live data?
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Collision
Its been 20 thousand miles, sorry but did you even look at the live data?
no, I have not... I have never received a check engine light.... I just replace the spark plugs due to miles...
cats and O2 are original

my truck was a Fleet/Lease with service records....
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford
no, I have not... I have never received a check engine light.... I just replace the spark plugs due to miles...
cats and O2 are original

my truck was a Fleet/Lease with service records....
Im certain unmetered air is enterjen the system, but from where is the question. The long term fuel trim peaked at 46, and anything above 10 is a serious problem. My concern is it might be a cracked intake manifold or something serious like that. And have you ever tried using the propane or starter fluid for a vacuum leak? Won't work, the computer is too fast to cause a blip in the idle
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 06:52 PM
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I have done it for YEARS.... retired auto mechanic... ever since the Chrysler Lean Burn.... up till 2012...

pull the spark plugs.. 8 will do... read the balance of the burn... side to side..
 
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Old Jul 5, 2018 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford
I have done it for YEARS.... retired auto mechanic... ever since the Chrysler Lean Burn.... up till 2012...

pull the spark plugs.. 8 will do... read the balance of the burn... side to side..
With my 5.4, I've sprayed starter fluid down the PCV vacuum line and the only thing that ever happened was the O2 sensor readings went high...
 
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Old Jul 6, 2018 | 04:27 AM
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only thing I might add...

go to a shop with a SMOKE Generator.... with engine OFF.. inject smoke into crankcase.. an see where the smoke exits the engine/gasket/hose ect.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2018 | 07:12 AM
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If it truly has a vacuum leak, check the 4wd actuator lines that go to the hubs. My money would be there.

I think you're chasing a ghost however. It most likely has bad HO2S and potentially cats also as already mentioned.
 
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