Hey guys i need some help diagnosing some issues. I bought a 2006 powerstroke 6.0 with 109000 on it. Straight pipe no cat and the previous owner had a tuner on it(not sure if its still installed) and not sure if it has been studded or if it has a EGR Delete but I want to know what things I need to do to make this truck reliable and protect it from future problems. As of right now the truck has a rough idle and when I'm driving it seems to skip or jump unless I get on it. Just an all-around rough ride it also cranks over a little hard and sometimes coming from a dead stop will take a few seconds to start moving or even get any RPM. Like I said I'm new to diesels and I have read all kinds of forums about this and it seems like the biggest thing people talk about is the veins in the turbo sticking or needing the EGR valve cleaned. I put cetane boost in it but that didn't seem to help and my next thought was to change the air filter and fuel filter are there any other things you guys can think of I can try before I take it to a mechanic. I'm not up on my diesel lingo so if you can try to use words I will understand that would be great and I don't have a scanner yet because of the price so I can't tell you what codes there are just the symptoms my truck is showing thank you for any help you can give it is much appreciated

 

Change all filters just to be safe. Fuel and oil. Does the truck smoke? What colour smoke if any?
If youre mechanically inclined at all you can take the turbo off and clean it up. Pay attention to the unison ring. Check for any play.
Watch your boost while driving. When my vgt solenoid was on its way out it would cruise at around 8-10 psi consistantly. It would also WAYYY over boost at full throttle.

 

Only way to check if the truck is studded is to pull a valve cover. Drivers side is easiest. If it has bolts then its not studded.

Easy to check if the egr is deleted or not. Just look behind the intake elbow. Usually if its deleted there will be a blockoff plate. It could also just be unplugged. If the egr is still there and plugged in, chances are its not deleted.

 

I appreciate the response. That is my plan to change all filters and clean the turbo. As far as boost goes i have about 5 to 8 at take off if that and then i might be able to get to 16. No smoke unless im purposely trying to roll coal.

 

If its rolling coal my first thought would be that it has a tune left on it. My truck with stock tune doesnt blow any smoke of any type at full throttle or anywhere else for that matter.

Perhaps try to get it back to stock ecm settings and go from there.