2005 F250 6.0L Diesel 2wd - new owner - help!!

oufishinfoolz · 08-11-2007, 10:23 AM

Hi all.. I am the proud (?) new owner of a 2005 F250 Diesel 6.0L 2WD pickup. I know nothing about maintaining a diesel other than basic oil change/air filter type stuff. I have had it for a little over a month and recently had the oil & filter changed as I didn't know when the last time was that it had been done. Take note that this truck looked almost like showroom condition and, at the time I bought it, I had a mechanic inspect it & passed it with flying colors. My first questionable experience was when I would start it in the morning and start driving down the road. The transmission (automatic) seemed 'cold' for the first 1/2 mile or so. In other words, it was revving somewhat high before shifting gears until I had gone 1/2 - 1 mile, then it would do fine. Assuming it had to do with being 'cold', I decided this morning that I would let it idle for 8-10 minutes before driving to work. I was shocked to notice as I was driving down the driveway (20-25 yards) that there was a huge white plume of smoke coming from the tailpipe! I went ahead and went down the road a couple of miles to a stop sign and, taking off again, a little more white smoke came from the tailpipe. After that, it seemed to clear up (I have about a 30 mile drive to work). Then, after sitting at work for 8-9 hours, I started it back up and, not letting it idle as much as this morning, I pulled out of the parking lot with, you guessed it, the plume of white smoke again. (Not as bad as this mornning, but still noticeable). By the time I got home, as I was backing down the drive, I adjusted my side mirror to observe and did not notice any smoke. Please, someone tell me this is due to needing a simple fuel filter change - or something even less serious! I have not had the fuel filter changed or the air filter, either. Although it seems in mint condition, it does have 176,000 miles on it. (Before you laugh, I consider myself a high mileage truck lover.... I had a '91 F150 that I finally sold at about 180,000 miles and I still have my '96 F150 running like new with 330,000 miles on it! Both original engines, etc.) So, the high mileage, especially on a diesel, didn't bother me too much. Now I am 2nd & 3rd guessing myself, my mechanic and everyone else who loves diesels!Also, it didn't come with the owner's manual, so I am pretty much in the dark on all of this.
CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? Your response is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
ps.. if it helps the hours meter reads 3200.0

75K30 · 08-11-2007, 10:54 AM

Welcome to the site, hope we can get you on the right track.

White smoke on an oil burner (diesel) would indicate EGR problems.\Many things can cause the smoke, but since yours is white, and not black, it does not seem to be fuel related. After all if the truck is not doing it under load, just during acceleration and start up, it does nat make me suspect head gasket. These 6.0's have a problem with them, and do need to be addressed. If you are runniing a bone stock engine, you should find the prooblem easily. Is the anti-freeze level low? If no, this supports my theory.
Black smoke would indicate failing injectors, o-rings, or filter. There is also a regulator that has a screen that gathers o-ring material, but you are not experiencing black smoke, so you might just have an EGR problem.

the 5R110W, or Torque shift transmissions are notorious for this problem. I have an 07 and have already been through the transmission. Yours sounds like it is suffering from a sticky valve or two. This would explain the slippage while cold. Pressures should be higher with cold fluid, and the opposite should actually occur. The E4OD and 4R100 also had these issues, but was actually for different reasons.
The new Torqueshift trans also requires a slightly different fluid. It needs Mercon SP, and is not interchangable with Merc V, or synthetic Merc.
If it was changed while in your possesion, make sure they have not used the wrong fluid.

oufishinfoolz · 08-11-2007, 11:37 AM

what is my next plan of action? Not sure what EGR is?

75K30 · 08-11-2007, 12:04 PM

I had to chuckle a little there. I believe if you need help, then you should look into this a little further. Heak what do I know right? I would keep checking around, especially with other diesel guys, and compare notes to make sure my theory is not full of haot air, or actually carries some merit.
After you are satisfied with your findings, you will then probably have enough information to have an intelligetnt conversation with your mechanic and discuss your findings.
Do check back here, as we too would like to learn from your experience. You should also hear from others that may have different opinions. We have a few "dino juice" burners here, and I believe you can find some solid information with us. Plus we are always looking for additional participation.

75K30

oufishinfoolz · 08-11-2007, 12:26 PM

ok, will do. I'm sure glad there are folks out there that can help out newbies such as myself.
oh, I don't know if it matters or not, but my mpg has been dropping some since I got it. Started out at 18.5, then 17.6, 16.5, then 15.7 mpg. Of course, variations in driving will affect that some, but thought i'd mention it.

75K30 · 08-11-2007, 01:01 PM

Once again it leads me to believe EGR. Not uncommon with higher mileage diesels. Do a little more research, and I believe you will find you answers. Good luck, and stick around with us, good group of people here.

mrjohnwayne · 08-11-2007, 05:10 PM

I'm with 75. It is more than likely EGR related. Could be the EGR in need of a good cleaning or the EGR Cooler about to go out.

bubbas91lariat · 08-11-2007, 08:31 PM

Wouldnt a oil burner be black smoke though?

crabtruck · 08-12-2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oufishinfoolz

....... Not sure what EGR is?

EGR is Exhaust Gas Recirculation. The valve opens and closes controlling the flow of exhast gases back into the intake manifold allowing a small amount of exhaust gas to go back through the burn cycle again. The valve can be controlled on the basis of several things and is a good heads up point in looking at performance troubles.

Sample EGR valve, there are many shapes, near or on top of engine. There should be a sticker under hood showing the location and vacumn hose routing. Hope this makes the talk clearer.

oufishinfoolz · 08-14-2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks, crab! That helps put things more into perspective! Do you know if this is something that might be easy to replace myself, or is this extensive work for a mechanic?

08-11-2007, 10:23 AM	#1
oufishinfoolz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	2005 F250 6.0L Diesel 2wd - new owner - help!! Hi all.. I am the proud (?) new owner of a 2005 F250 Diesel 6.0L 2WD pickup. I know nothing about maintaining a diesel other than basic oil change/air filter type stuff. I have had it for a little over a month and recently had the oil & filter changed as I didn't know when the last time was that it had been done. Take note that this truck looked almost like showroom condition and, at the time I bought it, I had a mechanic inspect it & passed it with flying colors. My first questionable experience was when I would start it in the morning and start driving down the road. The transmission (automatic) seemed 'cold' for the first 1/2 mile or so. In other words, it was revving somewhat high before shifting gears until I had gone 1/2 - 1 mile, then it would do fine. Assuming it had to do with being 'cold', I decided this morning that I would let it idle for 8-10 minutes before driving to work. I was shocked to notice as I was driving down the driveway (20-25 yards) that there was a huge white plume of smoke coming from the tailpipe! I went ahead and went down the road a couple of miles to a stop sign and, taking off again, a little more white smoke came from the tailpipe. After that, it seemed to clear up (I have about a 30 mile drive to work). Then, after sitting at work for 8-9 hours, I started it back up and, not letting it idle as much as this morning, I pulled out of the parking lot with, you guessed it, the plume of white smoke again. (Not as bad as this mornning, but still noticeable). By the time I got home, as I was backing down the drive, I adjusted my side mirror to observe and did not notice any smoke. Please, someone tell me this is due to needing a simple fuel filter change - or something even less serious! I have not had the fuel filter changed or the air filter, either. Although it seems in mint condition, it does have 176,000 miles on it. (Before you laugh, I consider myself a high mileage truck lover.... I had a '91 F150 that I finally sold at about 180,000 miles and I still have my '96 F150 running like new with 330,000 miles on it! Both original engines, etc.) So, the high mileage, especially on a diesel, didn't bother me too much. Now I am 2nd & 3rd guessing myself, my mechanic and everyone else who loves diesels!Also, it didn't come with the owner's manual, so I am pretty much in the dark on all of this. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? Your response is greatly appreciated! Thanks. ps.. if it helps the hours meter reads 3200.0

08-11-2007, 05:10 PM	#7
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	I'm with 75. It is more than likely EGR related. Could be the EGR in need of a good cleaning or the EGR Cooler about to go out. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

08-11-2007, 08:31 PM	#8
bubbas91lariat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Elberton,GA Posts: 825	Wouldnt a oil burner be black smoke though? __________________ IF YOU AINT FIRST YOUR LAST!!!

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08-11-2007, 10:54 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,545	Welcome to the site, hope we can get you on the right track. White smoke on an oil burner (diesel) would indicate EGR problems.\Many things can cause the smoke, but since yours is white, and not black, it does not seem to be fuel related. After all if the truck is not doing it under load, just during acceleration and start up, it does nat make me suspect head gasket. These 6.0's have a problem with them, and do need to be addressed. If you are runniing a bone stock engine, you should find the prooblem easily. Is the anti-freeze level low? If no, this supports my theory. Black smoke would indicate failing injectors, o-rings, or filter. There is also a regulator that has a screen that gathers o-ring material, but you are not experiencing black smoke, so you might just have an EGR problem. the 5R110W, or Torque shift transmissions are notorious for this problem. I have an 07 and have already been through the transmission. Yours sounds like it is suffering from a sticky valve or two. This would explain the slippage while cold. Pressures should be higher with cold fluid, and the opposite should actually occur. The E4OD and 4R100 also had these issues, but was actually for different reasons. The new Torqueshift trans also requires a slightly different fluid. It needs Mercon SP, and is not interchangable with Merc V, or synthetic Merc. If it was changed while in your possesion, make sure they have not used the wrong fluid.

08-11-2007, 11:37 AM	#3
oufishinfoolz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	what is my next plan of action? Not sure what EGR is?

08-11-2007, 12:04 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,545	I had to chuckle a little there. I believe if you need help, then you should look into this a little further. Heak what do I know right? I would keep checking around, especially with other diesel guys, and compare notes to make sure my theory is not full of haot air, or actually carries some merit. After you are satisfied with your findings, you will then probably have enough information to have an intelligetnt conversation with your mechanic and discuss your findings. Do check back here, as we too would like to learn from your experience. You should also hear from others that may have different opinions. We have a few "dino juice" burners here, and I believe you can find some solid information with us. Plus we are always looking for additional participation. 75K30

08-11-2007, 12:26 PM	#5
oufishinfoolz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	ok, will do. I'm sure glad there are folks out there that can help out newbies such as myself. oh, I don't know if it matters or not, but my mpg has been dropping some since I got it. Started out at 18.5, then 17.6, 16.5, then 15.7 mpg. Of course, variations in driving will affect that some, but thought i'd mention it.

08-11-2007, 01:01 PM	#6
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,545	Once again it leads me to believe EGR. Not uncommon with higher mileage diesels. Do a little more research, and I believe you will find you answers. Good luck, and stick around with us, good group of people here.

08-14-2007, 09:09 PM	#10
oufishinfoolz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks, crab! That helps put things more into perspective! Do you know if this is something that might be easy to replace myself, or is this extensive work for a mechanic?