NEED HELP: engine acting up

[bushpilot]

dont have to worry w/ freezing here (adding 2 gallons to a 7+ gallon
system wont be a problem)....our scheduled temps over the next
couple of days are a low of 36 at the most.

and dont go thinkin the worst...it could be nothing more than a
cracked degas bottle.

try not to run that "TAP" water too long...wanna get those minerals
and deposits outta the system (flush) as soon as possible...if youve
got the time get some distilled water to top the system up while you
figure out what the problem is.

an over filled degas bottle will not cause you to loose TWO gallons
of coolant. FDDTS - Recall In Review - 05B32

the amount of coolant loss is pretty high...and although anything is
possible, it seems like too much coolant loss for a head gasket issue...
but again i dont know the amount of time since they loss.

dont PANIC

 

[MBRPCrazyford]

If it was a head gasket, you'd more than likely be seeing white smoke out the exhaust. Especcially if it was 2 Gal. low. Like Bush said, don't panic. It could be something simple.

 

[keanoknick]

Didn't you just get a new programmer for your truck?

It sounds to me like you're truck is "puking" and your loosing the coolant out of the Degas bottle, I've lost up to a gallon from mulitple times of the engine puking, and it is more prone to "puke" with a programmer, and if it was overfilled at all. I'd uninstall your programmer, and return to the stock program and run it for a week or so, and just check the level everyday.

Oh yeah, If you ever see your front drivers side fender well looking wet, on a dry day, it is most likely "puking"

I doubt that it's your headgaskets though, you would have noticed that a lot sooner.

 

[NDsuperduty]

Didn't you just get a new programmer for your truck?

It sounds to me like you're truck is "puking" and your loosing the coolant out of the Degas bottle, I've lost up to a gallon from mulitple times of the engine puking, and it is more prone to "puke" with a programmer, and if it was overfilled at all. I'd uninstall your programmer, and return to the stock program and run it for a week or so, and just check the level everyday.

Oh yeah, If you ever see your front drivers side fender well looking wet, on a dry day, it is most likely "puking"

I doubt that it's your headgaskets though, you would have noticed that a lot sooner.

I did just do a programmer, but I believe I have seen overflow from the resevoir before the programmer. I will probably buy one or two bottles of coolent tonight, and add it tomorrow morning before I head to work.

Anyone have a suggestion on how i go about finding this leak? Its kind of a cramped space in there. Are there places that are common problem area that would be better to start at?

 

[bushpilot]

monitor the tail pipe....idling, goin' down the road...look for
WHITE (STEAM) smoke.

look for dripping/wet on the ground (after you drive it).

pull the egr valve and see if its WET.
get an oil sample tested (theyll tell you if theres any coolant in the oil)
test the coolant for combustion gasses.

 

[F350DRW1]

You may have split the egr cooler, get it pressure tested.

 

[bushpilot]

let me know, we can meet up next week...I'll put my autoenginuity
on it and we can check for any codes...and run some diagnostics.

 

[NDsuperduty]

Would replacing the EGR valve be a good thing to try? I have been thinking of doing that anyway.

Sorry if I sound like a moron. I understand the basics of how engines work, but I dont have a clue how to fix something that has gone wrong.

 

[DaveBen]

Why not just clean it? Many here have done that, with good success.

Dave

 

[bushpilot]

if youre blowin coolant some where the egr valve isnt gonna be the
problem. I clean my egr valve once in a "blue moon"...the oriing & gasket
set is 7 bucks and change.

Ford part number 3C3Z-9P455-AB (Tomball Ford had 'em in stock when i
cleaned mine)...im sure planet ford or someone closer to you has it too.

i tape the bottom of my valve (just to be certain that i dont get cleaning
fluid in the openings at the base of the egr valve electrics.

FDDTS - 6.0L EGR Valve Cleaning
FDDTS - EGR Servicing


heres one of the things i think youll need to check for...
FDDTS - Detecting Combustion & EGR Leaks

ive been thinking of ordering this kit (just to add to my tool base)...
if youre interested ill order it...and we can test your truck
Detail Page for 75500 Combustion Leak Detector - Lisle Corporation