Hey everyone, I purchased a 2004 Ford F350 Lariat from a man dying of cancer. He bought this lariat 350 6.0 new, and it sat for 14 years, knowing he was dying. I bought it with 21,500 original miles. It's perfect. I changed the air filter; it was perfect, I changed the transmission fluid and filter, which Ended up being perfect; I changed the fuel filters, which were a little dirty, changed the oil, which was a little dirty, replaced all with OEM parts. Did install two new 1000 cranking amp interstate batteries. He changed the tires to new Michelin LTX E-rated tires too. It is so smooth; however, sometimes I've noticed that when I'm driving at a low speed, it will sound like a normal diesel, then flutter between the normal diesel sound, then get real quiet. It happened today and when It got quiet, I hit the gas and it didn't do anything.(no response) I let off the gas and it puffed out some smoke as it went back to the diesel sound. I was thinking it was the vanes in the turbo, but it runs too smooth other times. I was wondering if it could be the EGR valve sticking? Has anyone experienced this? The engine sounding like a normal diesel, then getting real quiet? It will flutter between these two sounds. When it gets quiet, it has no power. Thanks for any help. I'm ready to open up the turbo tomorrow morning and didn't want to it it was something else Thanks Again!!

 

Without any DTC's and live PID data it is a guessing game that could get expensive. Here's what I use.
Download FORScan
What oil did u use?

Before tearin into the turbo I would drain a little oil and add an additive like archoil, hotshots or revx. Warm er up to operating temp (around 200*) and drive er hard (like u stole it). Make sure it is warmed up. Run it in a lower gear if necessary to achieve higher rpms (2500-3000). Use ForScan to monitor and make sure u don't exceed alarm levels below:
BAT
>13
BOOST
<28
ECT
<215
EOT
<230
FICM
>46.5
I'm assuming u dont have egt and fp gauges. If it is stictiion, the oil additive and hard runnin may help loosen up things from sitting sooooooo long. It may take a few attempts, but u should see some improvements after 50 to 100 miles. If no luck and u r sure it is the turbo, here is a great link.
Turbo Cleaning by bismic |
Some other links.
Just bought 06 F350 FX4 6.0!! - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel

 

Do you know if you've got an early 04 (03 engine) or a later 04 with the updated engine? Easy way to tell is the ICP sensor on a later engine will be on the front passenger valve cover. On an early engine it's down under the turbo by the IPR valve.

I would definitely hook up a scanner before taking anything apart. You should easily be able to spot a sticking turbo vane by watching the VGT% it will usually act oddly when the vanes are sticking. That is definitely a real possibility on this truck having sat so much.


I also wonder if the truck still has pilot injection? Does the truck idle very quietly? I believe the early 04s had it like the 03s but it was flashed out by Ford. Should be very noticeable at idle.

 

I was told it was a later 04 model by the vin. Most of the time it happens when idling, or driving really slow. It is like the sound of the diesel is normal, but suddenly it will get real quiet, almost muffled. The last time it happened, I hit the gas when it was muffled or quiet, and there was no throttle response. I did take out the EGR and it was gunked up. I replaced it with a new one after cleaning out the intake very well. It didn't seem to help at all. The muffled sound and response happened again today after the replacement.