'04 Ford F-250SD 6.0 Turbo-Diesel Lariet

[Coyote machine]

I'm hoping you folks can shed some insight into the problem my friend, (in another state) is having with his truck. He uses it, or was using it on his farm, for all his chores and to haul his tractor and other related items. It has been laid up for several months now due to some problems he and I are not sure the cause of. It is a: 2004 6.0 liter F250 Super Duty Turbo diesel Lariat with 83K+ miles. His description: Symptoms: when you start driving and it warms up, you're driving along and then you lose power and white smoke comes billowing out the exhaust. Then you pull over on the side of the road and hope it goes away long enough to make it home. Sometimes it makes it and sometimes it is a long trip home, because it keeps on happening.
Everything is good, no overheating, no fluid lose, and I have not been driving it. Smoke might be dark and white it has been awhile since I have driven it."
I'm trying to help him since he is struggling to keep his house and farm and has absolutely NO time or $ to spend on trying to fix it right now. I've offered to help him fix it once we know what it needs and so here we are....
He thinks it might be turbo related and or egr valve/system. I've not got a clue and its too far away to drive to just to see it smoke for a more accurate estimate of what is wrong with it. I think its head gasket related but what do I know?!
I'd really like to help him get it back on the road.
ANY help would be greatly appreciated

[Soundguy]

i have a 04 6.0psd and havn't had any of those problems.. however.. there have been many discussions of earlier 6.0 psd's that had head problems.

well.. lotsa white smoke out the exhaust.. sounds like steam or unburnt fuel fuel to me... and that sounds like head issues to me...

good luck

soundguy

[Diamondpilot]

I agree. Sounds like a head gasket issue. Its either burning water, oil, or fuel.

Chris

[Coyote machine]

Ok, So assuming it is a head related issue how does one go about narrowing it down to exactly what the cause is?
And if it is head gasket related what would that look like for $ to fix?

[Dmace]

He may be lucky and it could just be the turbo failing and burning the oil that controls the variable vein turbo. How does the turbo build boost when it's running normal? Any hesitation during cold starts? The veins close completely to increase back pressure and help warm the engine. When it's smoking, is there any particular smell like unburnt fuel or syrup (burning coolant)?

If it is the head gasket (which is a known problem on these engines) then I hope he has an extended warranty because that is about an $8000 repair.

If that is the problem and he gets it fixed, suggest that the repair shop use ARP head studs when reinstalling the heads.

[Coyote machine]

OK, so at best a possible blown turbo unit or parts related to such- what that kind of fun cost to repair?

[Diamondpilot]

Dmace brings up a good point on the Turbo. It will be in the 3K range to fix if its truely trashed.

As for the head issue I would perform a compression check. If it is leaking you will see it in the radiator or hear it in the oil pan.

I second the ARP studs if its head related. I have 2 6.0's and have gotten lucky and never had any issues but if and when I do its ARP's for me.

Chris

[thompsjk]

White smoke sounds like head gaskets or leaking EGR cooler, but if that痴 the problem you should be losing coolant out the exhaust or blowing it out of the degas bottle. Bad turbo should be black smoke from running to rich. It might be a bad or sticking EGR valve. The EGR valve is on top of the engine close to the oil and fuel filters it should have a black top with some wires plugged into it, it is easy to pull if it is not too gummed up. I would pull it and try cleaning it with carb and choke cleaner or you can go to a International dealer ship and get a test plug to put in its place it should cost less than 20 bucks. Also try and find some one who can pressure test the cooling system with out charging too much, if it does not pass the test that would mean head gaskets or EGR cooler and would take more diagnostics to determine which one it is.


Jeff

[Mike Costello]

Try this easy fix--remove the EGR valve and clean it. To do so, unplug the electrcal connector and remove the 2 bolts. Rotate the valve so you can get a small pry bar under the ears of the EGR. Using a "lady slipper" type pry bar works best and be sure to pry up the EGR in small even amounts so as not to bend the ears.
After the valve is removed clean all the carbon off using a spray carb cleaner. Work the valve up and down to make sure it's closing properly. Also, clean out the manifold hole if necessary using a vacuum. Reinstall using a new gasket set (very important) from Ford which costs about $7.00. Total time--about 30 minutes.
I own an 2004 F350 which has been a problem free truck for the most part. But the EGR valve can become dirty and cause stumbling, hesitation, smoke, and general poor performance. So I clean my EGR valve about every 25000 miles as preventative maintenence.
This may or may not solve your problem, but it's a good start and the best part is that it can be a cheap fix. Good luck, Mike.

[thompsjk]

I am thinking it is probably the EGR valve sticking open also. On my 2003 I unplugged mine and left it unplugged the valve is a fail closed valve and will stay closed if unplugged. The 2003 and early 2004 could be unplugged without a CEL coming on. On later models you would need to put in a test plug and leave the EGR valve plugged in. With out the EGR opening up you no longer send exhaust gas back in to the engine intake and the truck runs better and gets better fuel mileage, it is also better on the VGT turbo used on the 6.0.