Help, head gasket or egr?
 

2004 F-350 6.0 diesel---Driving home, I noticed check gauge light came on and temp gauge rose but did not make it to the "red." There was white smoke from exaust, pretty heavy. I was only a mile or so from house so turned on heater and drove rest of way. Once parked, I had daugter get the gold coolant from dealer and put in two gallons and two gallon water. I did see smoke from coolant resevoir while adding coolant. Once collant added, I went inside house for a few hours. I walked out and could see a steady drip of coolant on ground. I tried to start the vehicle and it seemed that engine was locked up, so there must be fluid in at least one cylinder. I know how to handle most repairs on gas engines, but know very little when it comes to a diesel. Please pass on some wisdom and thanks in advance!

Do not crank on the engine. You need to pull the glow plugs out and roll the engine over to get the coolant out of the cylinders. More than likely, you have a ruptured egr cooler. This is , unfortunately, an all too common issue. You will need to replace or delete the egr cooler and replace the oil cooler. The oil cooler is more than likely the culprit here. It clogs with casting sand and limits the flow into the egr cooler. This results in overheating the egr cooler, flash boiling the coolant and pressurizing the coolant reservoir(also known correctly as the degas bottle). If you look around this site there are 100 threads about this with all the gory details, including mine. The good news hidden in all this bad news is after you get this remedied and install a few other easy modifications you will have a very sturdy engine.

Regards

sounds like its hydrolocked (spelling?) from what I have heard cyl #7 fills and locks the engine, pull the glow plugs and drain the fluid from each cyl. Was it 4 gallons low?

I am going through the same BS right now and I took my truck to the dealer to be diagnosed by a diesel tech. I was fortunate enough to have only the EGR problem. I am doing the job on Friday myself. If you need a complete parts list for the EGR delete, oil cooler job let me know and I will forward it over to you.

-Rob

Thanks Rob, yes it was that low. I have had issues with my second egr losing water but just keep a close eye on the fluid levels and gauges. I saw the white smoke and just had a stroke as i immediately thought "head gasket = at least $2,500" Will a chiltons manual suffice to show me what to use and which cylinder is #7. Truck isn't at my home, actually at daughters (doubted anyone cared) but didn't want to list that in original thread so I have to cart tools there.

yea, the chiltons manual should provide you sufficient insight. I would have it towed to the dealer so they can tell you the exact problem. It costed me $350 for a FULL diagnosis right at Ford..

I have over $2,000 in parts just for the EGR delete (not including any labor).. If you need Head Gaskets, be prepared to shell out $4500 - $5,000

Dont let it get you down. Once its all complete, you will have a solid truck!!

Thanks for the help guys, I keep seeing posts saying to get the aftermarket egr products, but how big a job is this. I don't trust my skills and lack of a shop and necessary tools to do this myself unless it is something pretty dang simple. Sure hate to turn a $2,000 job into a $8,000 one!

The egr delete/oil cooler job is not too bad. It takes time and patience and some shade tree mechanic skills. No special tools or heavy lifting.