03 6.0 Probs
 

Dad's worktruck has been having some probs lately. I think it is the injectors but I'm not sure. It's an 03 6.0 Fx4 F-350 SRW. When you get on it the truck seems to bellow out quite a bit of black smoke, pulling hills it does the same. It just started to do this but otherwise bone stock except for an edge programmer but don't know if its even plugged in. On some hills it seems to lose power but get it back within a sec or two and do it bout 3 to 4 times on one hill and the RPM's stay the same. During all this the truck jerks around like it may be the tranny but dad says he thinks its the engine. It's got somewhere around 66,000 miles on it I think. Any help on this prob is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

an 03 6.0 with motor problems? no way!! j/k that sucks. i know they had problems with the egr system, turbo, injectors, HG so im sure the dealer will be familar with the motor and all its problems. hopefully they can get youll back on the road asap

brett

Need to check codes but from what you described, turbo vains sticking is what it sounds like. Injectors are also a possibility but without codes its a little hard to diagnose.
Check the oil level and if its high or low that would help to know. The oil injection sustem relys hevily on the level and quality of that oil.

you could also unplug the EGR and see if theres any change but it sounds like the turbo sticking, now that I think about it more, it does sound like a stuck EGR valve - a ten minute fix to pull the valve and clean it with throttle body cleaner and a toothbrush.

id bet money its the egr too.thats why it was num 1 on my list of problems. at work they have 2, 04 and 05. both have been to the shop numberous times for the egr. everyonce in awhile it wouldnt get over 40 or you could mash the motor and it doesnt stays right where its at

brett

I think injector trouble most of the time is a white colored smoke. I would also check the EGR and the turbo.

It's under warranty! Why not take it in and let f**d figure it out???

Not a Ford guy so how do I check for codes? What is the EGR and where is the valve that might need to be cleaned? BTW, Thanks for all the help.

Oh and the Edge programmer IS plugged in and it says 'Ford Juice' on the side of it.

EGR = exhaust gas recirculator valve. It's located on the top of the engine, forward and to the left of the fuel filter. Two wres plugged into the top and to 10 mm bolts holding it down. I use a large pair of channel locks to pull it after removing the bolts. Its in there tight as heck but get a good hold on it and it will pull up and out. Wiggle and pull, wiggle and pull. I'll see if i can find a picture.

We unplugged the egr and it seems to have worked so should we keep it unplugged or clean the valve and plug it back in? Will it hurt it to keep it unplugged?

Its very easy to pull it and clean it. A little tough to get er out cause its in there tight but with a large pair of water pump plyers you can get a hold on the metal housing and pull it (after you pull the 2 10 mm bolts) pull up hard and wiggle back a forth a little and it'll pop out. Get some brake clean or throttle body cleaner or other solvent and an old tooth brush and clean it up good. Reinstall it and then you will likely have a code stored that needs cleared. unhook the batteries for one hour, both batteries and that should clear it.
I don't know about leaving it unplugged, i think it would be okay but it may cause the SES light to show. I would clean it and plug it back in.

Thanks for all your help guys. We'll pull it and clean it this weekend.

Let us know how it goes.

Well, after an hour and a half the valve is still in the truck. How did you get up on the engine to get enough leverage to be able to pull that thing out? Me and my dad were pulling and wiggling and still no go. It didn't hardly move at all.

you did unbolt it right? lol
I got up on my knees above the EGR and pulled straight up that way. It is tight and maybe you could spray some lub in around it and get it out easier.

What did you put your knees on? We were gonna find a spot but didn't want to hurt anything.

I don't remember, i just crawled up on the front and did it. nothing really that your gonna hurt. I have been in some strange positions working on my PSD many times...

Just in case you still haven't got it out, what you do is take the two bolts out and spin the valve so the bolt hole are accessible. Take a coat hanger and loop it through both holes and use a pry bar (or long screwdriver) to pry against the alternator. It will pop right out. Putting it back in is easier. Just let the bolts pull the valve back in. Don't forget to lube up the two o-rings before re-installation.

Jake

Thats a good idea, i never tryed that.

6.0s have also had trouble with injectors sticking open or even closed have you ran any fuel treatment through the truck so help with lube and carbon bulild up