Towing problems, any ideas?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
Towing problems, any ideas?
I have an 04 6.0l PS diesel. I have had a problem since the beginning, after towing my trailer and shutting down the engine, it is very difficult to get it started again. For example if I'm towing, then stop at a gas station to fill up, I will then have to crank the engine for up to 15 or 20 seconds to get it to start. Several times it has not started at all and I've had to wait for it to cool down. When it is cool it starts right up. Further, I noticed that my antifreeze in the resevoir is darkening up and the bottle has a lot of black stuff on the bottom, looks like soot. I don't quite have 20,000 m yet. I've taken it in several times and they just keep replacing my egr, but it continues to happen. Any ideas? Thanks for any help.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Well... I don't know if you are doing this or not...but it is wise to let the engine idle for a bit before shutting it down, especially if you are towing. Your exhaust temps are probably high...But...I don't think this is your problem. Have you tried unplugging the EGR? Take it to another dealer for another opinion if possible.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
Yes I let it idle for ten minutes or so when I've been towing. It still does it. It doesn't do it when running hot and not towing, only after a good hard pull. Don't know.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Hunter...it could be anything from an electrical problem to your fuel filters. The only people who can figure it out, will be the dealer. If I was you...I'd put your symptoms in writing and bring your truck in. Hand the dealer your written (typed) symptoms and problems and tell them you are not picking up the truck until they fix it. Plus, you want a rental car at no charge. Imagine if you got stuck in that thing with your toy hauler somewhere...get it resolved for your own peace of mind and before that warranty is up on components at 36k.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Lynden, WA.
Originally Posted by Hunter40
Further, I noticed that my antifreeze in the resevoir is darkening up and the bottle has a lot of black stuff on the bottom, looks like soot. I don't quite have 20,000 m yet.
I wouldn't see need to change the EGR valve for either situation. Even if it were sticking, that woulnd't explain how exhaust gasses were introduced to the cooling system or outside air in the engine compartment.
Remember, put ALL sypmtoms no matter how small you might think they are, on paper for the technician to review.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
The coloration is in the liquid itself, it is not very gold anymore. Further, I took a q-tip and ran it against the bottom of the tank and it came out black. The black is sticking to the inside of the tank. Oil? Exhaust? Burnt antifreeze? I don't know.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2003
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From: NW Montana
Smell the inside of the tank cap to see if it smells like exhaust. The situation could be a cracked egr coolant line that allows exhaust in the coolant.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Lynden, WA.
I think there's a Service Bulletin for the cracked cooling ports for the EGR valve. Yes, back to the dealership you need to go.
Although the intake pressures are more than the coolant pressures, so water probably isn't allowed into the intake ports to the cylinders, but just the thought of allowing unregulated water and coolant to the tops of the pistons on the compressesion stroke makes me cringe.
You should not have exhaust in the cooling system. If exhaust is allowed in, then it's a safe bet that coolant has transfered out. Not a good thing.
Although the intake pressures are more than the coolant pressures, so water probably isn't allowed into the intake ports to the cylinders, but just the thought of allowing unregulated water and coolant to the tops of the pistons on the compressesion stroke makes me cringe.
You should not have exhaust in the cooling system. If exhaust is allowed in, then it's a safe bet that coolant has transfered out. Not a good thing.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
This color darkening of the coolant is normal for PG antifreeze. Our bobcat skidsteer loaders do it also and they are diesels and use PG antifreeze. There is a TSB for a hot/no start condition but I don't remember the specifics. It's been reported here before--do a search and see if you can find the cause/repair. If you want to check for exhaust in the coolant bottle there is a test your technician can run for CO2. I've had these coolant issues for months--they're hard to diagnose as the system is sooooooooo complicated. Stick with it--patience is a virtue.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
I had an appointment to take it in today but the dealership closed due to a snow storm. I will let you guys know what they say when I finally get it in. I'll prolly get another egr valve. 
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
Update
UPDATE: I took the truck in yesterday and the diesel tech worked on it. Of course, a secretary called me about it so she didn't know anything but what the tech wrote in the computer. But, he believes it is the IPR valve that is the culprit. He is going to do some more tests today to confirm it is the IPR valve then call me. As for the discloration of the coolant, well, the secretary didn't know.