I just returned from a ski trip to Santa Fe NM. I drove my '04 6.0 from Louisiana. Truck ran great most of the time but I became a little worried at the ski area. Altitude in the parking lot was around 10,000 ft. Temp was around 20-25 degrees.

The first morning I went to start the truck, I noticed a nice puddle of fluid under the engine area. (Never had problem one with the truck, 30,000 miles). Furthere investigation revealed no oil or tranny leaks. The fluid was very thin, maybe coolant. Didn't smell like diesel. It was dripping from somewhere around the starter area. There was a drip about every 30 seconds. I could not pinpoint the exact location but it had me worried. Started the truck and let it warm up for about 10 minutes. I was paranoid now and it seemed the normal diesel noise was accompanied by a 'buzzing' sound on the right side of the engine. After warmup, everything appeared and sounded normal.

When driving, the turbo 'lag' seemed much longer than normal. Press the accelerator, talk the kids in the back, change the radio station, and then the truck would start accelerating. I attributed that to the high altitude, cold wx operation. Otherwise truck seemed normal.

Next morning I rushed out to check for a leak before starting. No leaks, no drips, evrything appeared normal. Much relief on my part. No more leaks the next three days. Whatever was dripping had decided that it had dripped enough.

2nd day I didn't let truck warm up as long as before, maybe 2 minutes. When I shifted to drive, the engine died. Oh crap, what's wrong now. I started it back up and the same thing happened again. I started a third time and let it warm up for 10 minutes and everthing worked fine.

Everytime the truck was started cold, the 'buzzing' sound mentioned previously seemed to be present until warmup. My wife even noticed it. I stuck my head under the hood twice to listen for it. It was coming from the right side of the engne near the top. Could it have been an injector? Do the glow plugs turn off immediately after start? It was loud enough that it was audible from inside the cab. But it was cold enough that I didn't want to troubleshoot it thoroughly.

I did not use the block heater. Maybe I should next time.

By the way, returning to Louisiana from New Mexico, 15 mph tailwind, downhill most of the way, I averaged an honest 20mpg. Overall moving speed averaged 69 mph on GPS. Cruise was set on 78 (2300-2400 rpm's) when driving on interstate for entire 830 mile trip.

Any comments on the cold wx, high altitude observations?

Thanks

RB

 

BUMP

Lets see if we can get some comments for you

 

I live, work and play at relatively high elevation... Sounds like you had three issues- Loss of power, strange noise and peculiar drip.

Loss of power: Elevation has significant adverse effects on power although turbo diesels seem to be less affected than normally aspirated gas engines. According to a "mechanic friend of mine" gas engines lose about 5% of their power for every 1,000 feet above sea level. From my experience, I'd guess that the 6.0 loses 3-4%. At 10,000 feet above sea level even a Ferrari is a toad!

The strange noise was probably related to the cold temps.

And the notorious Peculiar Drip: There has been some discussion in the past (on the FTE) about this issue. I have reached the unscientific conclusion that it is (non-life threatening) condensation/water- Happens infrequently only when the engine is cool. Nothing to worry about...Drip happens!

 

I live at 5280 and frequent the higher elevations. I'll second the welcome to the cold and high elevation comment... Loss of power is just part of high elevation. The cold is hard on diesels too. At the fire department, we keep them plugged in...Even in heated garages...Definitely use the block heater when you can in the cold! Warm up is substantially longer in the cold...

 

I don't believe you'd see 3-4 percent per 1000 loss in a turbo diesel. Below 10,000 I think the loss would be minimal, particularly with the EVRT turbo.

"Electronic Variable Response Turbocharging (EVRTTM): A system that helps ensure exceptional turbo boost over a wide range of engine revolutions for impressive grade climbing capability, high-altitude performance and towing capability. EVRT employs a set of vanes that automatically adjust to optimize the airflow within the turbo. "

This was from the press release for the 6.0L from Ford dated 05/28/02. I think the turbo (MAP, MAF, baro sensor (?)) senses low barometric pressure and adjusts the turbo vanes accordingly to maximize boost with altitude.

This is my basic understanding and if it is not exactly accurate I'm sure someone (tech?) will elaborate.

 

Seems like you could potentially have different situations going on?

The dripping could just be condensation from your AC as in the "Auto mode" it runs to remove moisture in the air. If it is coolant, then I would have dealer do a pressure test and see if any coolant drips out when on the rack?

The starting and stalling sounds like a bad wiring harness, poor fuel, gelled up fuel, starting to plug fuel filters or low oil pressure???

The thinner air, will make motors suffer a little bit due to being thinner and not as dense... so wome lag (turbo or bad fuel delivery) may eb the answer?

I do not believe that plugging in would have made a difference and using a synthetic oil and fuel conditoners is what most do anyway... without plugging in.

Let us know what you find out.

 

I've driven (and pulled) over many mountain passes during the past 3 years with the 6.0 and altitude does indeed affect power... Just as the author of this thread indicated. IMO at 6,500 feet above sea level (a common pass elevation) the 6.0 loses about 20% of it's power. But thats JMO

 

I live at 5700' and drive to work at 6700'. That's where I exsist. When I do drive down closer to sea level, I think I do notice an increase in performance. I thought it was the temperature difference but now that you mention it, it makes sense that lower atmospheric pressure would also have an affect on compression > HP.

 

I don't disagree that there will be some loss at altitude, but 20% at 6500? The 'standard' loss for altitude with a normally aspirated engine is 3% per 1000 ft. How can you say that the 6.0L with a variable displacement turbo that is capable of greater output under conditions like increased altitude will lose performance at the same rate as if it didn't have a turbo at all?

I guess the best way to eliminate opinion and 'feels like' would be to dyno at sea level and again at 6500 ft.

Take Care

 

i have ran my 6.0 through mountains and such all over the country and in cold weather over this winter and didn't notice any power difference at all.

 

Haven't seen much south of Durango this year. Hope there was enough to find some fun on the hill.

I live in Albquerque to the south. This is my first winter with a Ford 6.0 PSD (an '05). I've got just under 8K miles on it now.

Noise: Possibly fuel system pressurization. I've noticed that in an addition to the glow light running longer as it got colder this winter, that the fuel pressurization took longer and was louder. Helped by Diesel Kleen or similar.

Power: So much better than my 4 cyl Isusu of 20 years ago, I'm not an unbiased judge, but the program and turbo should adjust for altitude (somewhat).

Drip: Here's a wierd posibility; on a long trip from Albuquerque to Boulder CO my motorcycle overcharged the battery and made quite a puddle in my friend's girlfriend's garage. Didn't smell much, but the tast was what I assume battery acid would taste like. (What can I say besides I'd just turned 20).