[cellfisha]

I just bought my first Diesel. I have a few questions.

First: with the engine running, I pulled the dip stick for the oil and it is blowing a white mist out of there. Is that a good or bad thing?

Second: I noticed while driving and not on cruise control, if I let up on the gas pedal the slightest bit, it seems to loose power for a split second. When I push back on the pedal, it comes back fine. I hope I am explaining that right where it is understandable. The engine has plenty of power and seems to run great. No smoke when I get on it and it has 399,800 miles on it. I have a long road ahead of me in learning more about diesels. I appreciate the input and thank you in advance for advise.

Did I stump everyone with this?

 

[96Cobra]

The white mist is blow by and normal to an extent. You can do another "test" by placing oil filler cap (some use a ping pong ball) upside down on the oil fill tube, while the engine is idling. If the cap isn't blown off, your blow by is probably normal.

Not sure about your other issue. Is the truck chipped or programmed? Sometimes chips/programmers will make your gas/fuel/go pedal very touchy.

 

[yan7gin]

Any mods on your truck


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[cellfisha]

Thank you 96 Cobra and yan7gin for the reply. I will try the test on the oil fill cap Cobra. There are no mods on the truck yan7gin. It is bone stock right down to the air filter. It runs great and has plenty of power. I do have a lot to learn about it though.

 

[yan7gin]

No problem,

And no light in the dash? Do you have any to scan for code???

I think your truck might be fine and its only because its your first diesel. The feeling will be different between gas and diesel. Gasser use the pedal to control the air coming in the engine compare to diesel control the fuel.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[cellfisha]

No lights lit on the dash. I do have a scan tool, just don't have it here with me. Maybe I should go by the auto parts store and see if I can use one of theirs or get them to scan for me. I'm sure that wouldn't hurt to check. No doubt it's a way different feel than the gas truck I have. The power is incredible with the diesel. =)

 

[yan7gin]

Wait till you install a better intake, turbo back exhaust and chip youll get way better LOL (if you want)

If you plan to keep this truck for bit and stay with ford or have other ford, a good tool to have will be AE (autoenginuity) with ford package


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Yeah the scan tool has to be Powerstroke capable.

 

[cellfisha]

My other truck is a (97 Ford F-150 XLT 4.6 stepside 4x4 auto gas). I plan on keeping the F-350 as I have been looking for one for awhile. I do plan on doing some add on's in time. I need to learn the in's and out's. What's good and what isn't so good for the engine. I have a feeling that I can and will learn a lot from ya'll here. I appreciate the feed back and info Gent's.

 

[yan7gin]

We all still learning stuff, keep looking and researching on 7.3 and you'd love this truck. Lots of good info on this forum and lot knowledge


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[cellfisha]

New question on my truck.

When I am driving I smell diesel a little bit. Could that be the down pipe leaking or? I am planning on changing it to a larger one in the near future but wondered if that could be where the smell is coming from.

 

[RT]

Could be. Check your fuel drain valve for leaks as well. That's a common source of diesel smell in the cab.

 

[Texkenusmc]

The diesel smell also can be from the filter. My fuel filter gasket was leaking when I bought mine and keep getting that smell. An easy fix.

 

[blue99stroker]

Fuel leak from the bowl or a line is easily possible with that many miles.

I'd take a guess and say up pipe donuts are shot and you are getting exhaust fumes

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Passenger side fuel line leaks from vibration at the clip that secures it to the head midship

 

[cellfisha]

Hey Gent's,

I am renting a storage unit this weekend, to park the truck in so I can work on it out of the weather.

I am still having that issue with the fuel pedal. It seems to be getting worse though. I can push on the pedal and if it's a slight push, it seems to loose power and then I push it down a little more and it gets the power back and goes. It has done this at take off and at like 20-30 mph if I let up on it and then push the pedal back down again just a little, to like keep the same speed and not gain a lot more speed. What could that be? CPS maybe? I have no lights come on the dash. I want to fix whatever is wrong with it while I have it in the storage unit. I'm doing injector 0-rings, fuel filter, another oil change and whatever else you Gent's think would be a good idea while I have it in the unit. Also, how can I tell if the turbo donuts are bad and need to be replaced? Where I park it, there isn't any leaking on the ground, so I don't believe the fuel is leaking and I know there isn't any oil leaking, so I am wondering where the smell is coming from. Would there be any signs of fuel leaking on the ground or is that just when it is running and driving down the road? I'll be ordering parts in the next day or two. =)

I hope ya'll have a great Friday and weekend Gent's.

 

[Gator5713]

Look down into the valley of your engine and see if there is any diesel there. The valley will hold a fair amount of fluid before it shows up on the ground. If it smells like raw fuel then you likely have a fuel leak, up pipes will smell like exhaust...
Most common places (already mentioned ) are filter cap oring, filter bowl drain valve, and passenger side fuel line at the retainer clip (just replaced one of these yesterday!)
As for 'while you're in there' that depends a lot on your budget!
I'd rebuild the fuel bowl and install a fuel rail crossover system (RiffRaff FRx) and new glow plugs. Inspect the under valve cover harnesses and connections. Anything doesn't look good on them go ahead and replace.
Inspect the pass side fuel line at the retaining clip and if any wear at all go ahead and replace it.
Inspect your up pipes for pitting and soot, if any replace with bellowed up pipes.
Inspect turbo pedestal if any signs of leaks, rebuild with new orings. Inspect the turbo shafts for play and the wheels for wear.

 

[Gator5713]

On the driver side head just behind the alternator is your ICP sensor. Pull the plug and look for oil. If any oil replace it with a good one (there are lots of chinajunk ones available, avoid them)
On the front of your engine just below and passenger side of the harmonic balancer is your CPS, what color is it? If light blue or grey, replace it with the good dark blue/purple one.
Inspect all wiring harnesses and pigtail connections. My guess is your go pedal issue has something to do with one of these sensors or a chafed wire...

 

[cellfisha]

Good Morning Gator,

The smell in the cab is like exhaust. My budget isn't unlimited, but I would rather do it while I have the place to work on it and preventative maintenance. I was planning on getting all the parts from RiffRaff. I already have an account set up there and parts in my basket.

I'll start looking at the engine today and go over wires and connectors and look at the ICP, CPS, fuel filter and drain and fuel line at the clip. etc

Since she is smoking a bit from oil use, I will start her up and see if any smoke is coming out at the turbo donuts and up pipe area.

Thank you again Gator for taking time out to reply and help me understand my new ride better.

Wishing all you Gent's a great Friday.

 

[Gator5713]

No worries. I gave you a rather extensive list most of which is likely just fine and won't need to be done this go around. Just figured I'd try to give you as much to look at as possible so that you don't miss something that should be done now and blow your budget on something that could wait...
If you have a question or even a curiosity or a 'I'm just not sure about...'
It's a whole lot easier to search this forum or ask before you dig in than to have to wait for diagnosis and parts while you are halfway torn down...
Clay at riff raff is a great guy and if you put in the comment section of your order what you are doing and your truck specs and ask him to double check your order he will call you before he sends it out.