I’ve been lurking on the forums for a while now and have learned a lot from y’all. Please go easy on me.

Okay, here’s the story, but first some background info: I’m a new diesel owner, had the truck for 2 months. It’s an early ’99 F350 CC SRW 6sp manual and bone stock except for the AIS and zoodad mod I did last month. The truck now has 200,000 on the odometer. I had a complete diesel engine service done on the truck by a reputable shop in town when I bought the truck. Last week I pulled the transmission out to install a LUK clutch kit. No problems, a nice upgrade. The truck has been running great since I bought it.

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The problem: Today I was driving in a severe thunderstorm when the truck started running like crapola. The engine was lugging and surging and it ended up quitting on me. I coasted into a parking lot and waited a minute. Tried to start it, wouldn’t crank over. Tried again, it started and just quit again. The third time I started it, I had to pump the pedal to keep it going and after a few seconds it idled smoothly. I revved it up to 2300-2500 rmps and let it come down to idle, in which it quit again. As I did this, I could not at any time here the turbo. Also the oil pressure gauge was surging from high to low. A check engine light appeared while the engine ran ragged. But once I got the truck to smooth idle, the check engine light would go away.

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When the truck appeared to run smooth after sitting at idle for 10 minutes, I attempted to drive it home, only 1.5 miles away. I got a half a block when it started to lug again and quit. Same symptoms above except white smoke was coming out the exhaust. Keep in mind it’s pouring down rain in Biloxi, MS. I starting to think I sucked in some water into the intake with the zoodad, so I checked the snorkel and filter and it was dry. Then I checked the IC boots thinking one may have popped off. Nope. I checked the fuel filter, it was clogged, didn’t see any water. Changed the fuel filter. I noticed that the fuel in the water separator looked real dirty, a brownish color. The truck didn’t run any better. I then had the truck towed home. The truck started up and ran good and even the turbo was working, but the oil pressure gauge surged from high-low-high for a few seconds. Checked the oil on the dipstick, and it showed absolutely no oil. Now I just changed the oil 1.5 months ago, how could it be low? When I changed the clutch, I made sure to look for oil leaks under the vehicle but didn’t see any.

Solution: I’ll start with the obvious and put oil in the engine. Beyond that, what else should I look for? Could the HPOP be a possible cause? Why would the truck spit white smoke out of the exhaust? Any suggestions you all can provide is greatly appreciated


Thanks
Chris

 

How does the coolant look? Also, it may be worthwhile to take it to a Ford dealer or other good repair shop with a scan tool that can read all codes stored in the computer, even with the CEL off. This way you may get a general direction on where to go.

 

The coolant was changed out with the servicing. It still looks nice and clean. Unfortunately, there are only 3 diesel mechanics in town, 1 at a shady Ford dealer, and 2 at GM dealerships.

 

It certainly sounds like symptoms that could be caused by low oil. I say get it full anf see if that cures it.
You probably ought to find out where the oil is going too. Could it be going out the ccv?

 

You have to rememeber our trucks use 14-15qts oil. Also very important that you use oil made for diesel engines. I know this is basic diesel information but when I started looking at diesels I had no idea it took over twice as much oil as my former gasser. I saw this link from a while back you may want to read.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=485878
Good luck and let us know what you find. Don't forget about the troublesome CPS.

 

Well guys,
It took 11 QUARTS OF OIL!!! The oil was changed 3000 miles ago with Rotella 15w40 and since then it used 11 quarts. I have confirmed that it isn't leaking. The engine is still clean after scrubbing it down when I bought it 2 months ago. It runs great now, problem solved, but not completely. I assume it still has good compression because it has good get up and go juice. Which leads me to the injectors. Do you all think I should have the injectors inspected? Maybe get new injectors? The only future mods I have planned is a set of gauges, exhaust, and a chip. Would a set of new stock injectors handle what I have planned or should I go with a set of Stage 1 single shots?

Thanks again for your replies and advice.

Chris

 

zx250,

Thanks for the link. My truck had a lot of the symptoms that guy experienced. I just wonder where all the oil went.

Chris

 

I would think if you were burning oil at a rate of 11qts every 3000 miles you would be seeing a lot of smoke. Did you change the oil youself? No chance of oil leaking in the valley on top or running down the back of the engine/transmission? The only reason I ask is that is a lot of oil to get gone in a short time frame.

 

zx250,
I agree I should be seeing a lot of smoke, but I haven't. I had the oil changed by a reputable diesel mech in town. After the oil change, I checked the level to make sure it was full, and it was. I will check the valley once more. When I cleaned the engine, I did notice oily gunk in there, but nothing fresh. And when I pulled the tranny last week, there was a little oil on the top of the tranny. It didn't look fresh to me. Sure is mind-boggling to me.

 

Probably a small leak at one of the injector o-rings between the HPOP rail and the fuel rail. You won't see smoke until oil usage goes to more than 1 quart every 100 miles.

 

you know the same thing happened to my brother-in-law. he bought a 350 cc, and the stupid company put that lucas crap in it to stop the oil consumtion. It didnt smoke or anything but always burned off the oil b4 the next change. turns out the motor was bad and cost him 10k to replace with new one.

 

Well it's been about 5 days since my original post and today I checked the oil, and it was 2 quarts low. I filled her up. I've got an appointment with a local diesel mechanic to figure it out. There is no oil leak anywhere to be found, so it muut be using oil. I'm thinking the O-rings in the injectors are shot. The truck absolutely runs smooth and good, I just don't know what the problem is. And my gas mileage hasn't changed from 16/17 city/highway.

 

Update:

Took my early '99 F350 to see a mechanic who knows Ford Powerstrokes well. After explaining to him all of the things that I have described in this thread, he has come to the conclusion that the motor is dusted down pretty good, confirming this by the way the turbo fan looks. He said he did some work on the same year Powerstroke last month with the same symptons, and what he found on it were the rings and the pistons completely shot.

He recommends I save myself the trouble and purchase a remanufactured engine, which I'm willing to pay. He is looking for an engine here locally, but also asked that I look online for something. I might be able to find a better deal. He's really trying to help out my pocketbook as much as possible. He said one of his customers was able to drive his rig to Houstin to a Diesel Performance Shop in which they replaced the engine with a long block all in 2 days time. But he didn't know which shop did the work. He said the guy got a warrranty as well, and he saved much $$$ for what the Ford Dealer would've charged him.

My dilemna is I'm three weeks to moving from Biloxi, MS to Yuma, AZ (I'm in the USMC) and will be rotating to Iraq soon. I need to get this truck fixed quick, like before I move. Does anyone have any recommendations or leads in a remanufactured 7.3 for an early '99?

The truck smokes (white) like crazy and seems to be getting worse. It still drives okay, but the mech said that won't last.

Any help you all could provide is greatly appreciated!!!!

Chris

 

check fleabay

 

cv, you might try this number.( DIESEL ENGINES, Ford 7.3 & GM 6.5. Remanufactured with warranty. Will deliver. $2,650. Call 713-918-5811. [36908153)They have advertised in the Arkansas Demopcrat-Gazette for years. I don't know anything about them so judge accordingly. Hope this helps. Carroll Allison