Details, 2003 F350 6.0 Diesel 173000 kms. early 2003 engine.

So I am really starting to lose my confidence in my truck. Bought it used and had very minor problems until warranty ran out. Since warranty ran out, i have replaced 4 injectors (right bank, only two went but they were in there so had them change the rest). I have gotten death wobble, and corrected it by changing shocks, axle end, hub assembly, sway bar bushings. The injector control pressure sensor has gone and so I replaced it as well. Now after changing my oil ( delo 400) and driving out the the coast the truck ran fine but on the return trip ( 1000kms each way) At about 600kms in I started getting a wobble in the wheel and pedals, thought it was death wobble at first but nope it was injectors. Problem would come and go for the drive until I know I lost at least one. At which point truck would drive fine but plenty of black smoke was coming out the tailpipe.

Got the truck to the closest dealer ( 400k ms of driving with this black smoke situation) and they tell me that I have lost 2 injectors on the left bank. I am going to have the 4 replaced. My questions are as follows;

1. Did driving possibly cause some further problems or trouble that can be mitigated or checked for?
2. After reading similar threads some people mentioned that an oil change was necessary. In this situation having just changed my oil before the trip began and using a good synthetic oil will it be necessary to change the oil, or can i check levels and top up?

3. I am a better safe than sorry person but also dont make a whack of money so what else should i be doing to ensure future peace of mind and a solid truck?

Thanks

 

Two things I would suggest if you don't have them: 1) coolant filter 2) oil bypass filter. These two things will help keep your oil extra clean and help prevent your injectors from sludging up and keep the casting sand/crap out of your engine oil cooler and hopefully prevent you from loosing an EGR cooler. Do a search and you can get more than enough reading on these two mods. OR do an EGR delete entirely, but you should still get the coolant filter.

 

What about needing to change my oil after losing the two recent injectors?

 

So you've actually had the system open once or twice since your oil change? If only once (depending on how clean the tech was), I'd let it slide. I don't change mine every time I change injectors, but I'm very clean and very careful, and I change my oil every 3K anyway.

 

If your oil level looks higher than normal, or you can smell diesel on the dipstick, you should change it...

Leaking injectors can let fuel into the crankcase and dillute your oil.. The 6.0 has a strong bottom end you shouldn't have any problems down there..

I had a couple leak and made over a gallon of extra stuff in the cranckcase.. Drove for about 100 miles before I shut it down.. No problems after +50K miles..

 

The first thing to do is to check your oil level. Did it increase noticeably? Does it have a diesel smell to it? If so, change it. I would probably change it out myself, but I know that Blackstone says that 2% fuel dilution is no big deal. (IIRC, I think they even say 5% is tolerable actually). 2% is just under 0.5 quarts, you could probably see that on the dipstick.

 

I guess I am a slow typer tonight. Good post william_04_x!

 

Hey i appreciate your input guys. The truck has been opened up once to replace the injectors. Ford Canada dealer in Calgary is telling me that their list on injectors is $282.20 does this seem accurate? I bought some in Feb (right bank) that they sold me for $230, seems fishy and they are telling me that prices are often in flux.

 

A 20% increase since Feb (in these economic times) does seem to be fishy, but I have no idea what prices do in Canada. I would call around to other dealerships .... in town or out of town. See what the going price is. I would also suggest that you tell them that they should give you a discount on parts since you have done business with them before and plan to continue to do so (but not at those prices).