2004 F250 with the 6.0


I'm getting a very rough idle on cold startup. For a while, I'd get it occasionally (like maybe once a week). Seems like for the past week or so, it happens on every cold start, every day. If I crank it, and it does it, I can shut it off, then crank it back up and everything is fine.. no rough idle.

I read not too long ago about a TSB out for this reason.... rough cold idle, among other things. Said it just needed a reflash with updated programming. Oasis on this truck doesn't show where it has been reflashed anytime in the past. Would Oasis even show that? Also heard that it could possibly be sticking injectors. Oil was changed about 2500 miles ago. No CEL. I bought the truck back in early March, and they said they had just done a complete service on it (oil change, filter change, etc), so I'm assuming the fuel filters were changed at that time as well.

I guess my question is... What do you guys think? I don't want to go get a reflash if it could be something else. I really don't want to go leave this thing at the dealership either as it's my DD.

Comments? Suggestions?


EDIT:
I just double checked my Oasis report.... the PCM was reflashed back in 2005 when the Exhaust Pressure Sensor was replaced under recall. FICM wire harness and ICP connector also replaced under recall. EGR was replaced as well (faulty original EGR). Not sure if any of this matters, but figured I'd list it here as well.

 

maybe youve got a sticking egr valve?.you should pull it out and check it for issues.could be glow-plugs too.if its sticking injectors the guys on here have had good luck with hot shots secret added to the fuel tank to bring them back to life.you get any smoke when it idles rough?.i'm not sure if the latest flash was out in 05.

 

No smoke when it's idling rough. I've let it clear itself up before when it starts that. Usually takes about 5-10 seconds. RPM's will jump from 100-300, just erratic. After said time, it will clear right up and run normally.

I've heard alot of good things about Hot shots.... is it something I can get at a local parts store, or does it have to be ordered from a certain place?

 

Could be an ICP or HPOP issue.

 

Hi,

It could very well be sticking injectors. Are there any injector codes showing up from the diagnostic?

If sticking injectors are suspected, I would like to recommend Hot Shot's Secret. We manufacture the product. It was designed for International to address this common issue with the 6.0.

Our customers report easier starts, no turbo lag, better performance and better MPG after just 1 treatment!

When tested it was shown to fix the problem 86% of the time and improve it for the remaining 14%. It carries a 100% guarantee...so there is never a risk to try it.

See our site at Lubrication Specialties | Diesel Motor Oil | Primrose Engine Oil | Fuel Additives | Oil Additives | Engine Restore| for more info and feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions.

Good Luck!

Dan

 

Didn't get a chance to stop and have codes checked yesterday. Going to try to this afternoon.

I'm going to look into that Hot Shot's Secret. Like I mentioned above... I only hear good things about it. What is it exactly? Oil additive, or fuel additive?

 

Hi,

Good to hear from you.

Hot Shot's Secret is an oil additive. It works on the oxidation buildup on the injectors in the 6.0.

I am pasting an article below that we wrote for it a while back. I hope it gives you some more information.

If you have any questions Chris would be glad to field them...you can reach him at the office at 1-800-341-6516 9-5 EST.

Thanks again for the consideration and good luck getting the issue resolved.

Dan

"How To Solve Power Stroke Diesel Truck Injector Problems Inexpensively"

Hot Shot's Secret has finally solved the common and costly fuel injector problems diesel truck owners have lamented for years.

To increase the efficiency in modern diesel engines, manufacturers have increased the pressure at the tip of the injector. This increase provides for a better, more efficient burn with added power. Older injectors would put out 1,200 psi at the injector tip but the new diesel engines put out 26,200 psi at the tip. To achieve this increase in pressure the manufacturers had to tighten the tolerance inside the injector. This increased the friction and temperature. The higher temperatures have a burning effect on the engine oil. A layer of oxidized oil and additives form, slowing down the injector and eventually stopping it altogether.

"Injectors in the diesel truck engines have a high failure rate," says Chris Gabrelcik, lubrication engineer, CEO of Lubrication Specialties, Inc. and the creator of Hot Shot's Secret. "Injector issues cause slow start-up, rough idling, hesitation, and lack of power because the injectors aren't firing properly." Until now, owners had to replace their existing injectors, often spending up to $2,500.00, with no guarantee that the problem would not occur in the future.

An amazing 86% of the time, Hot Shot's Secret solves the problem completely, and for the other 14% it has made a significant improvement. "We've got a money back guarantee and if it doesn't work, we'll credit you," says Gabrelcik, who acknowledges the fact that in some instances the product might not work because of other mechanical failures.

Originally created for International Truck and Engine, Hot Shot's Secret is an additive made from a combination of detergents and dispersants. Once added to the vehicle’s crankcase, Hot Shot's Secret removes build-up, the coking and varnishing left behind from overheating of the engine’s oil. "It's the only thing you can put in your engine that will clean it out and actually solve the problem," says Gabrelcik, who spent two years sending dozens of different formulas around the country to be tested in various terrain and weather conditions. The final product was rolled out in November 2005.

In addition to the improved injector performance, Hot Shot’s Secret’s formula will also clean the deposits in the engine and turbo and will fortify existing oil, thus helping it to work more effectively. It only takes 64 ounces of chemical to clean 100,000 miles of build-up. 32 ounces every 3-4 oil changes will prevent the problem from recurring. Lubrication Specialties has customers on record with 500,000 miles on their trucks and are still using the original set of injectors.

Gabrelcik, who has been in the industry for over 14 years, founded Lubrication Specialties in 1997. He has extensive experience working with vibration analysis, oil reclamation, and lubrication consulting with countless national and local companies. For more information, please call 800-341-6516 or visit www.lubricationspecialties.com .

 

That was an interesting write-up! I just may have to give this stuff a try and see what happens.

I stopped by Autozone and had a scanner hooked up yesterday afternoon. No codes on the truck at all.