OK here goes...if I screw up, remember I'm new.

We have a 2004 Ford F250 Powerstroke 6.0L

The turbo is making a "blow-off" kind of noise, when you get on it quick and then back off quick. Usually doesn't do it any other time. Took truck to the shop...and they told us it needs a new turbo. To the tune of $2600.00 just for the turbo.

We said NO...

Here's what they said on our bill: I'm going to type this word for word...

"Engine Performance Test: Level 2 When Eng under a load/turbo wound up of if you snap the throttle the turbo makes a pop off or blow off noise Check and advise. Retrieved codes PO299, Turbo under boost. PO341 Cam sensor circuti, PO404 EGR Performance and EGR position. Cleared codes test Drove duplicated noise ran KOEO and KOER test codes did not return. Removed turbo degas bottle checked turbo play. Spec is.02 it is at .024 of Radial play. Need turbo"

Sorry I don't know what kind of machine they were running it on.

Should we panic now or can we wait till later? Also hubby want to know how hard is it to replace the turbo on this truck. He's a logger and has replaced turbos on yarders.

Thank so much for reading all this...hope that someone has an answer.

JamieD

ETA: Forgot to say...this truck isn't a daily driver, it's our horse trailer hauling, hay hauling and wood go getter truck.

 

Well I HIGHLY doubt you need a new turbo. The 6.0 does not have a wastegate or a blow off valve, so when you build boost quick and then just shut the throttle off quickly, there is no where for that air to go, so back out the intake it goes, and is the fluttering noise you hear, most call it turbo fart. Not kidding. Just google it. It's normal. Just try not to do it very often if you can help it, it's not exactly easy on the turbo.

Your low boost code probably stems from not driving it much. Letting a 6.0 sit is pretty tough on the turbo. The vanes rust over and stick. My guess is they are stuck now and that is also probably making the issue worse.

I would start by trying a turbo recondition... you can find how to do this here: DTS Articles - Turbocharger Reconditioning

I would like to know more about the truck, though, mainly any mods, any work done recently, how it's maintained, what filters/fluids are used etc.

Does this truck have an EGR delete? If not, pull the EGR valve and give it a good cleaning too. Remove the o-rings and clean with brake cleaner.

 

We just bought this truck used at the end of March. It's had no mods, we just had the oil changed this last week. The oil used was 15w40 Delo 400, no idea what filter they used. That's the only work we've had done. We use Fram TG filters in our Ford Ranger (2007) and in our old diesel, Ford F250 w/after market turbo (1986). Are those OK? We usually use Rotella when we do oil changes...good or bad?

EGR delete??? We're lost there. We'll check the EGR valve.

I went and checked out a few "turbo fart" videos on U-Tube and that's the noise our truck makes.

Thanks so much for answering this for us.

JamieD

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Forgot to add that the 2004 F250 has 87,000 miles on it.

JamieD

 

Any time you have an issue or any questions it can save you $1000s by asking on here first, sorry to say sounds like your mechanic doesn't have a clue on the 6.0 and he does he is trying to rip you off, new turbo from ford is only $960 and takes an hour to change. The sounds the turbo is making is perfectly normal, you will notice it more when you are towing, especially when just get moving and have to lift for a stop sighn or traffic light.
Like Mdub said, a good cleaning and after that don't always just put put around with it, sometimes you have to "get on it" to keep the turbo clean,
Rottel T is good oil, alot of people run that oil, just make sure you only use Motorcraft or Fram oil filters/they are the exact same part made at same place/ and only use Motorcraft fuel filters. There is a reason for these filters, the wrong oil filter , especially the ones that come with there own cap have been known to damage the engine or cause very bad running conditions.Good luck with the new ride and definately look into EGR cooler delete and coolant filter setup for the truck as well as checking the condition of the oil cooler to make sure it is up to spec/ the oil cooler is the cause of most of the big problems on this engine/

 

I can't help but wonder if their EGR is already deleted with the codes they have...

Jamie I'm going to find a picture and circle some areas I want you to look at on your truck to see if you have these components or not. I'll post it up in a minute here...

 

Ok, here's a picture of the EGR valve, see if you even have one there. Even if this is in place, it could still be blocked off. Flow to the EGR valve is send through an EGR cooler, that will be the next picture.

 

Ok this is the passenger side of the intake manifold. See that blue hose? That is attached to a portion of the EGR cooler, the tube just to the left of that is the cooler itself. Try and look down on the top of your motor in this area and see if you have one of these. Though, even if it's there, someone still could have welded it shut. In which case, you wouldn't know unless you found the previous owner or took it off and looked.

 

Ok...found the EGR value and cooler...neither one looks like they've been mucked with.

Do you think that we should take out/off the EGR value and give it a cleaning?

Side note: Ford doesn't make it easy for a short person (4'11") to look at the engine...Had to get a step-ladder and climb in.

Thanks again guys!

JamieD

 

Jamie,

I'm 6' flat, and I always use a step ladder so don't feel bad. Being that short you can probably just crawl up on top of the motor to do work, not joking. Or look into a topside creeper. Just google it.

Ok being that both are in place and you have EGR codes, I would definitely pull the EGR valve and clean it! This should help: DTS Articles - 6.0L EGR Valve Cleaning

 

again don't feel bad I'm 6'5" and I use a 4' stepladder to work on stuff in there too, and don't feel too short my wife is 4'10" with heels on just don't tell her I said that. She has a pillow behind her when she drives