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Jan 11, 2005 | 06:25 AM

AKESPY

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Joined: Oct 2002

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Need Advice !

I have an 04 F250 built in 10/03 truck that I purchased in May of 04. Up until recently it ran excellent. I have never had the truck in the shop or engine flashed since I've had it. I'm now getting rough idling and blue exhaust smoke upon cold startups. I checked the oil level on the dipstick and I'm just below halfway. After my first oil change that I performed myself I noticed this rough idling but it eventually went away. Now after my second oil change (2 months ago) the rough idling is still there. After the engine warms up the rough idling condition goes away. I saw in the tech folder some mention of possible wire chafing or issues with the Exhaust Back Pressure Sensor.

What should my approach be...investigate myself or take to the dealer. I'd rather not get "flashed" based on what I've read on this forum.

Thanks,

Edit: When this problem started in November the mornings in South Louisiana were about 50 degrees. We're not talking close to freezing temps !

Last edited by AKESPY; Jan 11, 2005 at 07:08 AM. Reason: More Info

Jan 11, 2005 | 06:36 AM

SBV45

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 4,483

Likes: 2

From: Central Texas

I would try some fuel additive like Stanadyne Performance Formula or Power Service. There is a Ford Service Bulletin that talks about using Stanadyne on cold weather starts. There is a "winter blend" of fuel that gets put out this time of year that will give you hard starts and smoke at startup. Try that first, if it persists, it could be a sensor or another component. Unless you have the test equipment, let the dealer or a qualified diesel mechanic with the test equipment do it.

By the way, the latest flash from Ford is pretty darn good. I really like it.

Last edited by SBV45; Jan 11, 2005 at 06:53 AM.

Jan 11, 2005 | 06:51 AM

Bigham

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Joined: May 2004

Posts: 166

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From: NJ

Check to see if you have to much oil in it. A lot of guys here have had the same complaints that you are having. They said that if you have to much oil that the oil will foam and cause this problem.

Eddie

Jan 11, 2005 | 07:51 AM

AKESPY

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 63

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SBV45,
If I've never flashed before will the latest flash "incorporate" all previous flashes ??

Does this latest flash affect the tow haul mode, engine noise level and fuel consumption ?

Thanks,

Jan 11, 2005 | 07:58 AM

sv250

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 143

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From: Kenner, Louisiana

I'm in Kenner. Mine did the same thing. The latest flash will stop it. You need the flash anyway if you want to add a tuner later.

Jan 11, 2005 | 08:56 AM

SBV45

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 4,483

Likes: 2

From: Central Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKESPY

SBV45,
If I've never flashed before will the latest flash "incorporate" all previous flashes ??

Does this latest flash affect the tow haul mode, engine noise level and fuel consumption ?

Thanks,

The latest flash does incorporate previous flashes. It also fixes problems introduced by previous flashes. Your PI, if you have it (only on early 03s) will be gone. So it will be a little louder. I have been drowned out by other diesels pulling along side.

Fuel economy is drastically improved to the level before the infamous Oct 03 flash. I am very happy with the latest flash. There is significant performance improvement. It runs like it did when I bought it.

I recommend it.

Jan 11, 2005 | 09:29 AM

AKESPY

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 63

Likes: 0

SBV45,

Is the latest flash the one shown in the tech folder, i.e., RC8 - B28.0.9 ??

So if my truck was built in 10/03, I never had the pilot injection ??

Thanks,

p.s. thanks to all who replied !

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Jan 11, 2005 | 09:46 AM

SBV45

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 4,483

Likes: 2

From: Central Texas

If your truck was built in 10/03, when was the engine built? If the engine was built before 9/30/03, you have an 03 engine. If it was built later, it is an 04. If you have an 04, you never had PI. Look on the blue sticker on the passenger side valve cover, does it read 2003 or 2004? Better yet, get on a step stool, look down on the rear of the the valve cover on the driver side, there is a silver colored flat rectangular metal box (your PCM) with a couple of white labels on it. One will have a date like 15 OCT 03. That is the actual engine build date. If you have an 03, it probably came from the factory with RC5 and unless flashed, still had PI. That chart is not up to date. There are later flashes for the 03 and 04s and 05s. WDS version B33.10 (03s); WDS 32.11 (04s) & WDS 33.4 (04s); WDS 33.3 (05s) & WDS 33.6 (05s). Go to http://flatratetech.com/6literpowers...ubb=forum;f=12 for a description and discussion on each. There isn't a whole lot of info. Apparently Ford is not providing much detail as they used to for the techs.