White Buffalo,
I have a 2001 F-350, SuperChips programmer (usually set at high performance) K&N air intake, ATS turbo housing, 4" exhaust, and a tranny valve kit. The EBPV was removed. The truck has 89,000 miles on it, and the fuel filter was less than 9 months old. I changed it today and it looked pretty good, but there was some small debris on the bottom of the bowl. Reminded me of rust?
My new problem of stumbling at stop lights started about 1 1/2 months ago ( a week after I got an oil change) and the 2 episodes of hesitation was 2 days ago. I currently have Kendall oil in it This all occures when the engine is at normal engine temps. Both times it hesitated wa after turning a corner and accelerating back up to 35 mph. So, I was using light to moderate throttle. I have noticed some decent sized air bubbles on my oil dip stick, so I am wondering if my oil is aerating. Problem is that my symptoms aren't consitent. Some days it will do it and some days it wont.
My other problem is rough idle on cold engine start ups. This usually occured during cold months, but has started a little too early this year. Truck runs rough on cold engine start up until the oil has warmed up then it runs smooth. The EBPV had been removed, so it isn't that. If there is any warmth to the engine it runs smooth. The engine starts up fine. That is why I think there is something on the oil side of the injectors that is causing 1 or more injectors to hang up until the oil is warm and starts flowing good. People can't find the problem though. They are probably trying to check when the engine has some warmth to it and won't do it, and that is where a mechanic suggested the ATF in the oil to see if it clears it up. But from what you guys are saying, I don't think I will give it a try.
2 after thoughts, the oil in the HPOP is less than 3/4" from the top, and I have the same problems even if I reproggram my truck to stock.
Thanks to everyone for all the great help you guys have given me,
Ron W.

 

Hi Ron and sorry to take so long to reply.

Kendall Super-D 3 15W40, and Kendall SHP Diesel 15W40 both meet the requirements for use in the 7.3L powerstroke. But one thing bothers me. According to there web site the oil has “good resistance to foaming and aeration”. Many of the other characteristics are listed as excellent, outstanding , etc.<O></O>

Here is the link:
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http://www.kendallmotoroil.com/Product+Data+Sheets/Fleet_Commerical+Engine+Oils.htm
<O
I looked but I was unable to find the foam test (ASTM D-892 sequence I,II,III and high temp foam test ASTM D6082) results for their oil so I have no specific data to make this claim. But, as you know the 7.3L powerstroke uses a high pressure oil pump to operate the fuel injectors and the PSI can reach over 3,000 psi at full load acceleration. Oil for the PowerStroke requires an anti-foaming agent to prevent the oil from aerating/foaming, which would result in poor fuel injector spray patterns and reduced power. So in my mind I would want to use an oil that had excellent anti-foaming characteristics and the test results to prove it. Not just good.

You might want to consider changing the oil brand since this problem started after changing the oil.

You also mentioned some debris in your fuel bowl. This makes me wonder if your problem might be fuel related. Diesel fuel attracts moisture and water can cause damage to the fuel system. Could you possibly have gotten some bad fuel? Keep draining that fuel bowl – see if you notice and water or debris. Have you ever noticed the water in fuel light come on after starting the engine?


In addition, carry a spare CPS if you don’t already have one. It could possibly be this also. Sometimes the give you a little advanced warning before going out and sometimes they just go out. Ford has a new one out that costs around $20

Hope this info helps out and keep us posted on your progress.

Rich<O</O

 

Rich,
Thanks for the help. I did replace the CPS the other day and did notice a marked improvement. In the mornings though (about 6-7 am) the engine does idle a little rougher and noisier (than in the afternoons) but is a lot less since I replaced it. Seems the warmer the day is the smoother and quieter the truck runs. I am going to replace the oil with Shell Rotella. The shop the put in the Kendall was very honest when they said that Kendall wasn't as good as Rotella, but better than some other brands.
I haven't had the water in fuel light come on, but I have been getting fuel at an Exxon convenience store, instead of my normal Flying J, due to being on the way to work. I don't know what their sell rate on diesel is, but I know it isn't as much as the Flying J store. Thanks again.
Ron W.

 

As of right now your engine sounds pretty normal. It takes a while for the powerstoke to warm up and the colder it gets the longer it takes. What have been the temps in the morning?

Any more hesitation the past few days? Sounds like the CPS could have been your problem, I would still change the oil though.

During the winter when I am in South Dakota I usually let her warm up for 10 minutes in the driveway or set my chip to high idle. Don't forget to keep a spare CPS in the glove box.

 

if you use a trans fluid like dexon it won't hurt anything,or help it either if yo use a good diesel oil like delo or rotella
one thing that will clean it up and lubricate better is a good senthetic oil,

 

Rich and Ray,
There was a big improvement since I changed the CPS, so it was definately going out on me. The morning temps have been in the mid-sixties. I had the oil changed to Rotella. The mechanic said,without me mentioning anything about aeration, that the oil was aerating. He also said the oil (less than 1000 miles on it) looked funny, might of been oil for a gasser. He ran a scan on the engine. He did 4 load test and was able to get #8 injector to hang up once. Passed the rest of the time. Morning lows are only mid 60's. I'll take it late fall, when it is more consistent, and see if it is #8. Looks though that my new problems were a combination of CPS and oil that the truck didn't like. I should also state that they cleaned my K&N airfilter and flushed my fuel bowl all for about 65 bucks. Jiffy Lube charges you about 80 just for an oil change!
Ron W.

 

I needed to clarify something I wrote on 8/27. I have noticed the engine running smoother and quieter in the afternoons than the mornings when the engine is at normal operating temps in both cases. #8 injector?
Ron W.

 

Sounds like things are getting better, the #8 is a common problem. Sounds like a good time to do the in tank & pre-pump mods if you haven't done them already. Here is the link to Guzzles page on the mods, ITP diesel sells a great kit for about $115 - the stock system tend to let air in, especially when you get below 1/4 tank.

http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/hutch.html

http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?c...on=show_detail

 

Thanks for the links Rich. I haven't done the mods yet and I should.
This #8 injector is about 2 1/2 years old. The last one was misfiring. GO FIGURE!
Ron W.