Help...

[snake2008]

Hey all purchased a 2005 F350 powerstroke diesel this past may great for hauling the quad dirtbike ect. anyway recently I was helping a friend move when I got a high temperature reading and white smoke coming out the exhaust. So I got it home filled up the coolant which was fairly low thought problem fixed it didnt blow any smoke for a half hour or so then again with this white smoke just shooting out of the exhaust! and it will do it then stop for a short period then do it again but the temp doesnt go out of the norm. Does this sound like a head gasket problem? or EGR cooler ? please help truck has 122000 miles

[bismic]

EGR cooler (also need to change out the oil cooler).

[snake2008]

Alright thanks man. Any idea what ford would charge to fix this?

[LocoMike]

Originally Posted by snake2008

Hey all purchased a 2005 F350 powerstroke diesel this past may great for hauling the quad dirtbike ect. anyway recently I was helping a friend move when I got a high temperature reading and white smoke coming out the exhaust. So I got it home filled up the coolant which was fairly low thought problem fixed it didnt blow any smoke for a half hour or so then again with this white smoke just shooting out of the exhaust! and it will do it then stop for a short period then do it again but the temp doesnt go out of the norm. Does this sound like a head gasket problem? or EGR cooler ? please help truck has 122000 miles

EGR cooler should be over pressurizingg your degas bottle.

Loss of coolant with no overflow from degas = HEADS (hope it isn't the case)

[bismic]

Originally Posted by LocoMike

EGR cooler should be over pressurizingg your degas bottle.

Loss of coolant with no overflow from degas = HEADS (hope it isn't the case)

More commonly it is the other way around.

An EGR cooler failure can BOTH cause coolant out the exhaust (white steam) and degass bottle "puking". The most common failure for those that are watching there truck carefully is to begin seeing white exhaust without a lot of (or any) degas bottle puking.

Leaking heads will put exhaust gas into the coolant and ALWAY overpressure the degas bottle. The exhaust is higher pressure so you rarely see the white steam.

[bismic]

Originally Posted by LocoMike

EGR delete or it will happen again. Not sure how anyone can say ya need a new oil cooler without comparing your oil temp to your engine coolant temp.

The most common EGR cooler failure mechanism BEGINS with a plugged EGR cooler. There are so many threads on this it will make your head spin. While you are in it that far, replace the oil cooler. Also, get a coolant filter, flush your coolant and change the EGR cooler hose (small hose on the EGR cooler).

LocoMike - are you asking a question? If not, what are you basing your diagnosis on?

As far as Ford's charge, it could be over $2000.

[LocoMike]

Originally Posted by bismic

The most common EGR cooler failure mechanism BEGINS with a plugged EGR cooler. There are so many threads on this it will make your head spin. While you are in it that far, replace the oil cooler. Also, get a coolant filter, flush your coolant and change the EGR cooler hose (small hose on the EGR cooler).

LocoMike - are you asking a question? If not, what are you basing your diagnosis on?

As far as Ford's charge, it could be over $2000.

Always asking questions. There are no absolutes on these POS engines.

BTW... also many threads on head gaskets replaced that were not actually bad.

[LocoMike]

Originally Posted by bismic

More commonly it is the other way around.

An EGR cooler failure can BOTH cause coolant out the exhaust (white steam) and degass bottle "puking". The most common failure for those that are watching there truck carefully is to begin seeing white exhaust without a lot of (or any) degas bottle puking.

Leaking heads will put exhaust gas into the coolant and ALWAY overpressure the degas bottle. The exhaust is higher pressure so you rarely see the white steam.

Not an expert but I disagree. The most common FIRST problem is the EGR COOLER can not cool the super hot exhaust header gas and the LIQUID side of the cooler flashes to steam and pressurizes the degas bottle.

Unless you abused your engine by running excessive EGT, overboosting with a tuner or a stuck VGT on the turbo then your heads should not have warped allowing the head gasket to fail.

Again, there is seldom an absolute "I know the problem" until you actually can touch the failed component. I just would hate to see this gentleman commit to the $ 2000+ and think that the problem will be solved.

[bismic]

Originally Posted by LocoMike

Not an expert but I disagree. The most common FIRST problem is the EGR COOLER can not cool the super hot exhaust header gas and the LIQUID side of the cooler flashes to steam and pressurizes the degas bottle.

Unless you abused your engine by running excessive EGT, overboosting with a tuner or a stuck VGT on the turbo then your heads should not have warped allowing the head gasket to fail.

Again, there is seldom an absolute "I know the problem" until you actually can touch the failed component. I just would hate to see this gentleman commit to the $ 2000+ and think that the problem will be solved.

Coolant disappearing and white smoke is easily diagnosed as an EGR cooler problem - not SPECIFICALLY a head gasket problem.

Most commonly - puking is a sign of a head gasket issue, but certainly not always..

The EGR valve will let the exhaust gas and the coolant into the intake. This is the "low pressure" flow route.

Regarding the oil cooler - it is cheap! They have replaceent kits for the heat exchanger only. When you are in for an EGR cooler change out, you are WELL ADVISED to change out the oil cooler. The component costs are usually reasonable on our trucks, it is the labor cost that is unreal. The FORD LITERATURE also states to replace the oil cooler when the EGR cooler has failed.

As far as failed head gaskets, it is primarily related to cylinder pressure. Boost is only a problem if it contributes to higher cylinder pressure. Certainly heat accelerates the failures.

Lastly - continuing to run a truck w/ a bad EGR cooler CAN result in hydrolocking the engine - BIG problems. Get it fixed soon.

[snake2008]

Thanks for your replies everyone the truck still has power just annoying smoke I have not driven it after this has happen going to get a shop to check it out tommorow