power problem

[pstroker]

I hate posting because that means I have problems, but I know I can get good adive here, so any advice would be appreciated. I have an '03 6.0L F250 with 130K on it. The fuel filters have been changed about 10K ago. Yesterday as I was going to a job site, I came to a stop at a stop sign. When I pushed on the gas to take off, my truck creeped forward for about 10 seconds before deciding to take off. As I was going home I noticed a thick cloud of black smoke from my exhaust every time I floored it. I let it sit for a while and when I left to go somewhere else, everything was fine. Drove it for awhile and noticed the smoke getting thicker the longer I drove it. Any suggestions?

 

[bushpilot]

you dont have to post ONLY when you have problems...

whats the steady pedal "boost" like...is it hiccuping ?
do you have gauges ? what are they showing ? increased
egt ? erratic (hiccuping) boost ?

any codes set ? is the mil/cec/ses light on ?

has the egr been cleaned or replaced (ever) ?

its kinda of a generic response but try unplugging the egr and
then take it for a run...(unplug the egr valve when the truck is
off, to ensure that the valve is closed).

 

[pstroker]

I know I don't have to post just when I have problems, but I am more of a be seen and not heard kinda guy, I like to read more than respond. I learn more that way...anyway

I don't have any gauges, the truck is bone stock. There are no warning lights that come on, and the boost feels fine. The turbo sounds smooth and steady. Acceleration is not erratic, just a bit sluggish at times. As far as I know the EGR has never been cleaned. I bought the truck with 60k on it. My first thought was the EGR was dirty, and I heard you can just drive with it unplugged, but does it have any effect on the power or the MPG?

 

[bushpilot]

you can drive the truck w/ the egr unplugged...ive done in when mine
was failing (was towing car from houston to virginia)...and i honestly
saw no change in power or mpg.

my suggestion is that you try unplugging it and see what kinda results
you get...then you can determine if you wanna clean the egr valve or
just replace it (there about 150 bucks from the dealer...or as low as
40 on ebay)...the orings & gasket set is 7 bucks (and should be replaced
after cleaning).

hard to say at this point....w/out knowing if youve got codes (the lights
dont need to come on in order to have codes stored).

it could be the VGT or VGT solenoid too....that would cause reduced
power...but the black smoke makes me think its egr related.

i BET w/ that many miles (since you bought the truck even) that the
egr valve is probably in need of a good cleaning anyway.

but again 1st thing id do is 1 check for codes....failing the ablity to
do that id disconnect the egr (again w/ the truck OFF) and run it
to see if the problem persists.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Do what bush says and I'd go ahead and put some new fuel filters on, just to be safe.

 

[pstroker]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did have a chance to take it to a mechanic with a diagnostic computer and he pulled 3 codes that all had something to do with with the EGR. I was wondering what a new one cost (thanks for letting me know) because I was wondering if it was worth the effort to just clean the old one instead of getting a new one. I saw a link on how to clean one the right way. Doesn't seem to difficult. By the way, is there any reason to ever plug the EGR back up? And is it safe to just pick up fuel filters at the local auto parts store? Last time I changed them I pick them up at the Ford dealership, but they seemed a little pricey for such a simple part.

 

[diesel6.7]

Chances are that cleaning the egr will not help due to internal electronics being damaged from heat and soot intake.... never hurts to try cleaning it though... I would recommend Napa on the filters other than ford...

 

[F350DRW1]

I get my fuel filters at Auto Zone, and all they are is Motorcraft filters re-packaged in a Fram box. Oh, they are also about half the price of the parts from dealer.

 

[bushpilot]

Chances are that cleaning the egr will not help due to internal electronics being damaged from heat and soot intake.... never hurts to try cleaning it though... I would recommend Napa on the filters other than ford...

thats BS...done right there should be NO exposure to internal electronics !
and no soot should EVER get into the intake of the valve...there are
THREE gaskets !

the napa filters need to be inspected and compared....some are NOT
OE spec, either missing the critical water barrier (lower fuel filter),
too SHORT or just plain different design !

 

[FURLANETTO 4X4]

HI,
ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM, DID YOU CHECK THE WATER TEMPERATURE SWITCH, WHICH CONTROLS FUEL INJECTION?