2005 blueish/white smoke

ADV BUM

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Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and have seen alot of info on the blue/white smoke issues, but have yet to see anyone with dual problems. I have the blue/white smoke issue plus my heater is no longer working. Also using up coolant from the res. Bad EGR?

Truck is plugged in for about 8-12 hours before starting and continues to smoke for several miles on interstate for about 8-10 miles then subsides. Once it's warmed up the smoke is intermittent at stop lights. Truck also overheats sporadically. No towing or heavy loads, just normal driving...I tend to baby it, so no full throttle antics or hard accelerating.

I just babied it to the dealership and am expecting a phone call this afternoon, but want some non-partisian advice, since im sure the "stealer-ship" will surely try to rip me off...


Truck has alittle over 95,000 miles on it and is stock with the exception of oversized tires. Regularly maintained with oil changes every 3000 and fuel filters around 12,000 miles.

From what I've read it can be several issues, but if anyone can narrow down my problems it would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!
 

JLDickmon

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I'd go egr on a 6.slow... I know the coolers rot and then dump coolant in the engine...
sounds like a good story, anyway..
 

DaveBen

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Could be many things, from Head Gaskets to the EGR Cooler. Am with JL on this one, the EGR Cooler. No telling from Northern California.

Dave :)
 
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Bowhuntwi1

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I had my EGR Cooler go out at 97,000 miles, blowing the white smoke and loss of power towing....and everything was stock...fixed under the 100,000 ESP.
 

egregg57

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Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and have seen alot of info on the blue/white smoke issues, but have yet to see anyone with dual problems. I have the blue/white smoke issue plus my heater is no longer working. Also using up coolant from the res. Bad EGR?

Truck is plugged in for about 8-12 hours before starting and continues to smoke for several miles on interstate for about 8-10 miles then subsides. Once it's warmed up the smoke is intermittent at stop lights. Truck also overheats sporadically. No towing or heavy loads, just normal driving...I tend to baby it, so no full throttle antics or hard accelerating.

I just babied it to the dealership and am expecting a phone call this afternoon, but want some non-partisian advice, since im sure the "stealer-ship" will surely try to rip me off...


Truck has alittle over 95,000 miles on it and is stock with the exception of oversized tires. Regularly maintained with oil changes every 3000 and fuel filters around 12,000 miles.

From what I've read it can be several issues, but if anyone can narrow down my problems it would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

White smoke is a good indicator of a possible EGR Cooler failure. Loss of coolant from your degass bottle adds weight to this. It won't get better. If the EGR Cooler is indeed failed, replace the oil cooler at the same time. you can expect this to cost about 2,500.00 parts and labor.

Blue smoke can be from a couple of things one can be from a FICM that is failing. Another could be related to filters. Fuel filters are recommended to be changed out at every other oil change. You are definately on an aggresive oil change schedule. dependant on driving habits 5,000 miles is a good reasonable interval. Check your fuel filters, just in case.

In many cases the FICM can be removed, specific components reflowed on the circuit board, re-installed and correct the problem if it exists. That problem being less than 48 volts supplied to the injectors from the FICM. running on low voltage will eventually damage the injectors which will have to be replaced.

The use of a block heater to warm the engine prior to starting can assist the injectors in doing thier job when operating at a less than optimum voltage state of 48 volts supplied from the FICM.

Once the engine heats up to 68 degrees F current draw drops due to the glow plugs shutting off and it becomes easier for the injectors to work due to warmer oil. On that note I use Rotella 5w-30 which my truck loves. it is a bit thinner and allows for easy starts.

There is a testing procedure and repair procedure "out there" for the FICM. It isn't hard to do and can save you some money. You need to be able to solder though! If you are not careful you can damage the FICM circuit board.

In anycase checking the FICM, getting any codes being popped from from the computer are going to help you.

If the dealership does the oil cooler/egr cooler change ask what sort of flushing is to be done.

Eric
 

ADV BUM

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egregg57-Thanks for the very well described description of potential problems. For some reason I thought I updated the thread when I got the repair work done.

Your answer was dead on...as it was my EGR cooler, oil cooler and FICM that all failed. The dealership stated when the EGR cooler went south for the winter it also took out my oil cooler. I can't recall what the deal with the FICM unit was, but they were happy to quote a repair bill over 3 grand. I promptly told them I would be there with my F350 and a trailer and take it somewhere cheaper. The dealership called back and reduced the repair bill by 50%, so I had them fix it. (Maybe I should try this ploy everytime they quote a repair bill?!?!?!:sly)

I do plug in during cold nights/mornings, and will look at changing the weight of my oil. This truck now gets tasked with my Arctic Fox slide in, so I would like to keep it in top shape.

Thanks again for your reply...even if it was late;tu
 
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