How much fuel drained out of the separator (down your arm, on to the driveway ) before you got to pop-er-open? Last time I did mine the tank was pretty full (bad move). I thought it was going to empty before I got my turn to open it up, so I capped it off and waited until it was < 1/4 tank. It was better then!

 

This was the first time I got eh allen key out and opened the drain. Caught about 2-3 cups of diesel fuel in the pan.

The fuel filter looked like it was sucked in. I may have waited too long to change it. I wook a picture, but I dont have a place online to put is so I can link to it.

 

You can create your gallery here at ford-trucks.com. It's under User CP

 

my stepfather was having some problems with his 04 6L and he unplugged the egr valve, with the truck off of course, and the truck never would start again???? Even after he plugged the valve back in it wouldn't start. Had it towed to a dealer and they replaced the EGR valve and truck runs great again. I have an 03 6L and I was considering what this thread says on mine but Im scared it may do the same as his???? Any help

 

Well, if his truck was having issues already... I think it was a fluke. The truck may have failed the next day without unplugging the EGR, but it's hard to say. Was your stepfathers truck warm or cold (dead cold) when he unplugged the EGR? If it was in an open state due to temperature, that may have been the straw the broke the camels back, not to mention that it tossed a code when the ERG was unplugged. It's a game of chance, I know. But so is going to 7-11 to buy milk at midnight... The outcome is not in our contol, so live a little! Give the plug a pull when the truck is DEAD COLD and see if it tosses codes/breaks/beams you up, and learn from your experiences.

 

his truck was warm when he did it..... He was driving down the road and lost all power and start blowing all kinds of smoke, so then he drove the vehicle home, and unplugged the egr. Sooo... what's the benefit of unplugging the egr... in summary.

 

I had the EGR stick open on my 04 and it was plugged in. Went to leave work to meet someone for lunch one day and it would never start. I suspected EGR as I was having some driveability issues. Got ride home and my two mini 'wonder' pry bars (about 8" long from ACE) and 10 mm IIRC socket and wrench. Removed egr; pushed valve closed; re-installed; left unplugged; took to dealer; replaced under warranty. BTW, it was the second time it was replaced under warranty.

From then on I now carry tools to remove the EGR.

No issues so far w/ the 06 though.

Bob

 

For your '03...primarily, less down time. Just have to be sure that it is closing all the way. Not much benefit for '05 and above.

 

Im still new to diesels.... what do you mean less down time????

 

Well, you are already in the thread that explains it all. Plus discussion for and against....albeit, a long read.

Basically, carbon builds up on the valve. Generally, the valve then sticks open creating start and drive-ability issues.

Here are some shorter threads that will provide some info but you will gain more knowledge by hunkering down and read the long version:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...-question.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...egr-valve.html

 

The EGR had already failed upon the power loss and blowing of smoke... Unplugging it in a failed AND opened condition was just the final straw! The trick (or technique) is to unplug it, if that is what you choose, while the EGR is in a healthy and COLD state, thereby removing it from operation and rendering it dormant. Many trucks toss codes, some don't, mine didn't, but I plugged it back in anyway. I may continue with the experimentation after I take the beast in for the inductive flash this Saturday morning.

 

I just joined the forum after following it for about a year and I definately beneifted from reading others experiences and advise.

I have a great running early 2003 F350 wih 120,000km ( Canadian) and my company has approx. 80 types and vintages of Chevy, Dodge and Ford deisels and Ford is overall best truck for us (mainly off-road logging and oil resource roads) but Chevy and Dodge has advantages in other applications. Therefore I am not biased. We simply purchase what is best for each application similar to people buy shoes.

Anyways I have some results of comparing a disconnected EGR on my 2003:
Turbo Spool Up = No Change
Noise = No measureable (by DBL device) change
Fuel Economy = No Change
Soot inside my 6inch tip = More soot
Boost Wide Open Throttle = -4psi (empty)
Boost Wide Open Throttle = No Change (towing)
EGT Cool to 350F = Twice as long

Given it took longer for my truck to cool down it was time consuming and discouraging as I questioned the coking of oil in my turbo even though I have all high end goodies including redline synthetic oil.

If I had access to a dyno I would of posted before and after HP and torque results. I have never seen such posts yet.

My expereince is that the EGR is a week spot on the 6L and not having long life expectancy. If like other things is not maintained and goes it somtimes causes catastrohpic failures to other more expensive components.

My expereince is clean the EGR every other oil change and change it every 60km or 2 years as I seen many 6L past 300,000km if maintained this way.

The 6L maintenance and use of high quality products is essential (similar to a hot girlfriend) and while it still is not perfect it is a new design unlike the proven decade long produced 7.3L. I trust ford over time will improve its durability and the 6.4 is the same 6L block with improvements to the known suspect parts. We'll see how the 6.4 adapts.

Hopefully this may helpful to others.

 

I know that I'm way late in this thread, but I'm catching up so please bear with me on my question, or direct me to the post that has the answer.<O</O

I have a bone stock 03 engine with 55k miles without ever disconnecting or cleaning the EGR valve.<O</O

My question: With the EBP disable as a result of the 06E17 recall, what will happen if I disable the EGR valve by unplugging it?<O</O

 

I decided to try disconnecting the EGR valve today on my 05 F350 6L. I disconnected it and then started the truck and no CEL. Later when I started it for the 2nd time after disconnecting the EGR , the CEL came on.

The codes read on my scanner were P0403 and P0405. Cleared them, plugged the EGR connector back in place an no more CEL.

I guess I'll just have to have the EGR valve cleaned each time I take the tow monster in for a tranny fluid chnge (~15k miles).

 

Don't waste your time on it... I even tried tricking my 05 by using a spare EGR plugged in to the connector, but it didn't work. It's probably because mine is a Cali emissions rig.