New to the 6.9L IDI Family! :)
 

Hey Ya'll,

Glad I was able to find an active 6.9L forum! :)

So recently i bought a new to me, 1985 F250 2x4 with a 6.9L Diesel. Talk about a new project!

I am having a few problems with it. Any input, feedback, or suggestions would be amazing, as i am fairly new to diesel repair, but have a good knowledge of gassers, i think i can figure this out.

1) Fuel Levels in both tanks stays at or below Empty on the dash gauge. I have looked and looked and see that the issue is the sending unit located in tank, but have not been able to find any replacements that have good reviews and work correctly. My question is, can these be cleaned and repaired? Is it possible the float has a hole in it due to age?

2) I am noticing a lot of white smoke during warm up idle, and subsiding after complete warm up. The white/blue smoke is there after warm up, but not as bad. My question regarding this is could it be the head gasket? I have seen a lot of posts about the 6.9 IDI having head gasket problems. I do not notice the sweet antifreeze smell in the exhaust, but notice a sweet antifreeze smell under the hood after its been driven for awhile. Do not see any leaks, and do not see oil in the anti freeze, but did notice when its cold outside (below 40 degrees F) that steam or smoke is coming out of the dipstick tube for the oil. So that has a bit of a concern for HG issues.

3) In dash tachometer fluctuates A LOT. By that being said, it stays at 0 RPM to about 500 RPM during cold idle. While driving, it bounces all over, never passing 2000 RPM, even when getting on it. I have checked the wiring from the Tach sending unit next to the neck of the oil filler and it seems good. Would you think it is the actual tach in the truck or tach sending unit?

4) I produce a lot of smoke when i get on it.. seems like too much if you ask me... i look like a ridiculous 16Vlave Cummins a 17 year old has and just wants to roll coal. hahaha What could be the cause of this? I checked out the injector pump, it looks OK, but i don't know if what i am looking for can be seen by the naked eye. I did notice that on the top of atleast 2 of my injectors, i see that it looks wet where the fuel line from the IP connects. Smells like fresh diesel. What should I be checking to get this taken care of where i wont roll coal like a train.

Thanks in advance, it know its alot to read, but this is going to be my new DD and rec truck.

-ziggy


After Warm Up - https://www.dropbox.com/s/w98f9fbhcr...armUp.MOV?dl=0

Before Warm Up - https://www.dropbox.com/s/zlyjlo4eya...armUp.MOV?dl=0

Tach at Idle with Revs - https://www.dropbox.com/s/2u9z4dyg04..._0249.MOV?dl=0

Tach Normal Driving - https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0j1brpms1..._0250.MOV?dl=0

Tach during quick acceleration - https://www.dropbox.com/s/95843qxum0..._0251.MOV?dl=0

trying to find sending units myself as for the wet injectors u need a injector o ring kit.
as for the rolling coal maybe the person that owned it before u turned the pump up.
im also trying to fix my tech to.

The tach issue is usually caused by a failing sensor. It is on top of the IP gear cover. The dealer and ebay are the easiest places to find a new one. They run $80-$90 at the dealer.

The white smoke could be caused by air in the system, old/failing glowplugs.

Black smoke could be due to a dirty air filter, or as mentioned, someone may have turned up the fuel screw in your pump.