Looking for a little advice on 2003 7.3. Started noticing a ticking sound. The ticking sound is more noticeable in the cab, than outside. I can only hear the ticking when AC is off, it’s not very loud. The other day, i parked for about two hours. I started it up to head home and put it in high idle mode to cool down quicker. There was a light gray smoke and burning oil smell coming from tail pipe. Once I drove a bit that went away, and I have not been able to replicate the smoke.



My mpg has dropped. I’m getting 10-11 mpg, I used to be around 14 - 16. I see more black smoke than usual on my +40 daily driver tune. It use to only be during heavy pedal, now it’s black during any acceleration. While on the stock tune I occasionally see a little black smoke. The engine is stock except for the tuner. It still runs good. As far as misfires, it’s difficult to tell. Occasionally it may stumble at idle.

From what I read the ticking and black smoke could be a number of things, from turbo, exhaust, valve train, injectors, etc.



I ran a pressure test to check turbo system, found turbo solenoid had a leak. I replaced it. No improvements.



I ran stiction RX, it made no difference. I ran a buzz test, injectors sound fine. But a buzz test only test electrical side of injector.



FORScan lite, showed #8 cylinder combustion contribution code p0284



Vehicle has 165k miles with original injectors and glow plugs. I think it’s time to do injectors. What are your thoughts on it being an injector issue?

 

Check for exhaust leaks at manifolds or up pipes.

Monitor things ti see if icp is holding, may have a leaky injector oring or issue causing icp to drop.

I’d lean towards one or both of those more than a physical injector issue, at least until you rule them out.

 

I doubt your injectors are bad at 165K...but I suppose anything is possible

Your fuel mileage issue might be your ebps and or tube
Ticking sound...could it be an exhaust leak? You can powerbrake it without spinning the tires and see if there is any smoke in the engine bay or around the turbo...that's usually the easiest way unless you can see soot on the up pipes, collector to turbo...

you pressure tested for boost leaks? how i you do that exactly
No codes?

 

Question for the group..doesn't low fuel pressure give black smoke?

 

Turbo Pressure test. I bought 3” PVC cap, drilled and tapped to accept and 1/4 npt air nipple. I hooked it up after the crankcase vent straight to the turbo, regulated the compressor to 15psi and sprayed soaping water for leaks.

ICP pressures seem to be steady.

I ran another engine switch self test on FORScan lite, and it came back with P0476 which is exhaust pressure control valve range / performance. So could be exhaust manifold or cross over. Guess I need to do a little more exhaust system investigating.

 

doesn't that sound like the EBPS/ tube is clogged?

As for Dan's comment. I had a fuel pump fail but the truck continued to run. I do not recall anything different except for no power. It started that I could get to 40-50mph extremely slowly, then tapered down to a 20-25mpg crawl. I didn;t notice any smoke issues or anything like that

 

How's the air filter look? Is your filter minder sucked in? I've seen restricted/clogged air filters cause extra black smoke.

 

White smoke = too little fuel
Black smoke = too little air
Blue smoke = burning oil/turbo seal