[jeffnwm]

Hi guys I'm new here but I have a problem with my van.

My truck won't stay running if I let it start and idle on it's own without tapping the throttle everytime the auto idleup starts.
If I let it idle on it's own, after the idle begins to increase.. after 45 secs or so, it will eventually stall.
If I play with the throttle it puts out alot of blue unburnt fuel.
Also once the truck is warm it will stay running but driving down the road if I get on the throttle aggressively, it will very quickly become unresponsive to the throttle as if the engine is stalling and it will put out a huge amount of blue smoke. Letting the truck coast down it will eventually become resonsive again.
This problem has been becoming worse and worse and now I can barely get the truck to stay running.

I have changed the fuel filter and I'd read somewhere to change something else when Ii did that, but can't remember what that item was and don't know if that would help my problem.

Can anyone help and advise??

 

[blageurt]

Blue smoke is unburned fuel, Is your air filter in good shape ? Also is your turbo making decent boost ? Take the doghouse off and check around the up-pipes for soot. If you see some it is time to change your up-pipe donuts . I don't know too much about your model, but I do know you have an electric fuel pump. It could be malfunctioning or just plain worn out . Also you should take off the valve covers and see if you need UVC harnesses. I believe your model is prone to disconnecting . Do you have a scanner ? If you do try and pull some codes. Could be as simple as a CMP sensor too. Did you change that ? It's a cheap fix they are like 30 bucks now You could probably get one for free from Ford under the recall.

 

[jeffnwm]

the air filters are fine, yes. I don't know about the fuel pump but the truck only has 75k miles on it. It's just broke in for the most part. I don't have a scanner and I'm trying to keep the cost down as much as possible, I will look into the CMP...what does that do?

 

[blageurt]

It controls ignition timing by telling the injectors when to fire. Diesels do not have a distribiutor , so the Camshaft Position Sensor tells the computer where the pistons are so it injects fuel at the right time. I realize you want to save money , everybody does . If you want to keep the truck , buy a good scanner so you don't keep throwing parts at it every time. Three scans and it is basically paid for . You need to get it scanned by someone to see if you have any IDM codes. You could have or had water in the IDM. A common thing with Vans.

 

[dansk]

Black smoke is fuel and blue smoke is oil. White smoke is water. I think you need to look somewhere else for a cure. Maybe injector O-rings are feeding oil into cylinder. I think I got it right on the smoke. Maybe someone else can chime in here. Are you sure it's blue and not black?
Dann

 

[jeffnwm]

oh dear...yes it's blue.

 

[jeffnwm]

I don't understand though, how keeping the idle low when starting in order to keep the engine from stalling, makes a difference whether it's fuel or oil.....
Also when driving down the road, if I keep my foot out of the throttle, the van runs fine. I can maintain highway speeds etc. It's when I am more aggressive on the throttle that produces an eventual (15-20 seconds of aggressive throttle) stalling event. The blue smoke only appears after trying to continue aggressive throttle when it's in a stalling event.
I also get blue smoke when attempting to start the truck if it has stalled out...after several long moments of starter engagement, the truck will chug to life...

 

[blageurt]

It's because it is HEUI injuector system and there are alot of electronic sensors / controls and the pedal is electronic. There is a delay in the electronic signal to the computers. I definitely thinks it is either an IDM issue since you have very low mileage or a CMP issue. Don't forget burn't UVC harnesses act the same as a bad IDM .

 

[dansk]

I can send you a spare tested known good IDM if you want to try it out. I have it on loan to another but I need to get it back. He's had it almost 3 weeks now. I would be more than happy for you to try it out before you spend a lot on a new or rebuilt one.
Dann

 

[jeffnwm]

is there a way to test the IDM or CMP? I don't know where they are yet on the engine but I do have the ford service manuals here.

Dann, that's very gracious of you to make that offer. I don't know anyone period...local or distant that I can get help from. I had just thought last night of putting a help wanted classified up on Craigs list to see if anyone local would offer advice or help.

I may very well take you up on that offer. I'm also interested in advice on a scanner now. guys local want 100.00 just to hook it up. I'd want something I could hook up to my 99 durango too if possible.

 

[blageurt]

The cmp is like 30 bucks , as far as a scan guage you swill spend at least twice that for a semi decent one . The IDM is behind the coolant overflow bottle and Drivers battery and you can find them for 150-300 bucks depending where you buy them . Ford wants like 900 . If you don't scan it there is not much you can do except throw really expensive parts at it until it works .Just to replace all the UVC harnesses and gaskets is like 400 bucks in parts alone Double with labor if you can't do it yourself. They wanted 3000 bucks to do my injector o-rings . I did them myself( what a nightmare ) for like 250 in parts. As you can see you have to know what you are doing. My scanner has already saved me over 2000 bucks in "labor" from greedy mechanics. Buy the manuals , a good scanner and start learning these engines. One they are straightened out they run forever. Good luck

 

[dansk]

You're very welcome, we are here to help ya out. We all have problems and post here sooner or later. Get the manual on ebay, it will be worth your time to check it out. My van has been down for months till I got her figured out. Never been to the dealer for repairs after warranty. Got to learn yourself and you will save a lot. Don't know what your engine is doing but the offer is still here for you to try out. In about 20 minutes time you should no the answer with another IDM.
Dann

 

[Yardbrew]

i carry a spare CPM in the sliding box under the passenger's seat. It's good insurance. Here's a link:

How to change the Camshaft Position Sensor on a 7.3 Power Stroke Diesel .: Articles

I can't remember if Larry's Little Secrets gives a link or not.

OFF TOPIC:
Man alive, we are getting diesel for 1.99 a gallon here in Meridian, TX.........WOW.

OFF TOPIC AGAIN:
Hooked up my back-up camera today. How could I have waited so long to buy this great accessory?

Yardbrew