[blackacres]

I have an 06 F-250 with the 6.0 ltr.
This past winter, I started up the truck one morning and it I began to blow white smoke!
Yep, EGR cooler!!
After asking around, I elected to install a new factory EGR cooler along with a new oil cooler. What a PITA job!!!!
I was thinking of doing the EGR by pass fix, but read that it will throw engine codes and I'd probably require a programmer like an SCT tuner with a custom tune to avoid an engine code.
I'm currently using an Edge Platinum tuner and I'm told it won't cancel the engine code.
Well, on Sunday morning I started up my truck, and guess what?! White smoke out the tail pipe! AGAIN!
So, what do you guys think I should do?
Should I install an EGR bypass? Will it cause an engine code? Will the motor go into limp mode?
Or, when it first went, I was looking at the Bulletproof cooler, which has s.s. tubes instead of the factory core, so I am considering it now as well.
I imagine I'll need to replace the oil cooler again as well!
Any opinions are welcome.
And no, I'm not at the point of burning it to the ground................................At least not Yet!
I'm going to start to take it apart this weekend....................again!
So I need to decide what parts to order.
Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

 

[Fordsforever6.0]

I installed a "River City Diesel" EGR delete kit in my '05. I'll tell you, it took a load off my mind as it can lead to head gasket failure too ($$$). On my '05, it didn't throw any codes but, it supposedly throws a code on the '06-'07's. You could check their website out for info. If you have to, the Bulletproof one looks real good from Neal Technologies (bulletproofdiesel.com). There is an awesome article in the Sept 2010 "Diesel Power" magazine on page 122. This magazine is a must for any diesel owner who tinkers on their truck. Good luck.

 

[zip]

I would do the delete and throw the edge as far as you can.

 

[LayinHp]

i agree edge banks.... all the big names are terrible choices for the 6.0L's.... SCT is the way to go.

still sorting an issue out with mine dealer wants the truck for 2-3 das i cant be that long without wheels

 

[shelbyx1]

Any opinions are welcome.
And no, I'm not at the point of burning it to the ground................................At least not Yet!
I'm going to start to take it apart this weekend....................again!
So I need to decide what parts to order.
Thanks in advance for any help/advice.[/QUOTE]

if you have a edge tuner with monitor,set it up to monitor eot(engine oil temp) and ect(engine coolant temp),with engine warm drive test to see if both are within 5deg of each other if so oil cooler should be ok.

 

[blackacres]

Hey All,

Thanks for the input.
I'm seeing there is no love for the Edge tuner!
I didn't think it was that bad of a unit. I run it in setting #3 all the time, and I've never really pushed the truck hard.
I do have the Edge monitor and have checked the water/oil temps, as well as EGT's on a regular basis and I didn't notice anything out of order, the water and oil have always been fairly close, so hopefully the cooler is OK.
When I tried to drive it Sunday morning, as I pulled out of the driveway, it began like a POS if I tried to accelerate, then I noticed the white smoke, so I pulled it back into the driveway.
I just started it last night, after it has sat since Sunday, it started up OK and idled like nothing was wrong, so I am assuming/hoping head gaskets are OK, as I would imagine it would not start/run well if it had a bad head gasket.
I'm going to drain coolant and oil in the morning and begin to take things apart.
When the last EGR cooler let go, I didn't see any oil in the coolant, or coolant in the oil, so hopefully I caught it in time and it will be the same this time around!
I'm still unsure of what direction to go in as far as the cooler goes, the Bulletproof cooler looks like a good option.
Plus I won't have to deal with a check engine light/condition, which would happen if I elected to install an EGR by pass, I'm told the 06 will throw a code with a by pass installed!
If I had more $$$$ I'd probably throw the Edge away and go with a SCT tuner, but the $$$$ pot is getting really low!!!!
Perhaps I'll consider doing that later.
Thanks again, and please keep those comments/tips coming.

 

[Fordsforever6.0]

When the last EGR cooler let go, I didn't see any oil in the coolant, or coolant in the oil, so hopefully I caught it in time and it will be the same this time around!

A little confusion...If the EGR cooler goes, you don't get an oil/coolant mix. The oil /coolant mix tells you the oil cooler has sprung a leak which is separate issue. EGR cooler leak usually equals white smoke out the tailpipe.

 

[HTRDDSL]

The problem with the egr cooler is the oil cooler eventually plugs and reduces the amount of coolant going to the egr cooler. When the amount of coolant is reduced going to the egr cooler it overheats and melts inside causing coolant to escape into the intake thus causing it to get sucked into the cylinders. Since liquid doesn't compress it blows the head gaskets. Get rid of the Egr cooler entirely. You eliminate the possibility of coolant getting into the engine and you also stop the flow of extra exhaust gasses getting pumped into the engine. As a result your engine will run cooler and much cleaner. Some of the later model 6.0 engines with throw a code but who cares. It won't hurt your engine and you eliminate soot getting into the oil. The biggest single cause of head gasket failure in these engines is the egr cooler. Get rid of that and greatly reduce the chance of head gasket failure.

I've used the Superchips Cortex tuner and have used the Edge on my truck as well. I now have the Edge CTS. It works great. As did my Cortex.

 

[Oh My Hog]

The problem with the egr cooler is the oil cooler eventually plugs and reduces the amount of coolant going to the egr cooler. When the amount of coolant is reduced going to the egr cooler it overheats and melts inside causing coolant to escape into the intake thus causing it to get sucked into the cylinders. Since liquid doesn't compress it blows the head gaskets. Get rid of the Egr cooler entirely. You eliminate the possibility of coolant getting into the engine and you also stop the flow of extra exhaust gasses getting pumped into the engine. As a result your engine will run cooler and much cleaner. Some of the later model 6.0 engines with throw a code but who cares. It won't hurt your engine and you eliminate soot getting into the oil. The biggest single cause of head gasket failure in these engines is the egr cooler. Get rid of that and greatly reduce the chance of head gasket failure.

I've used the Superchips Cortex tuner and have used the Edge on my truck as well. I now have the Edge CTS. It works great. As did my Cortex.

This man. He knows.

 

[Destructicon]

Just a suggestion. Cummins, Caterpiller, Detroit.

 

[Phil G.]

Cummins will be my solution when engine is out of warranty.

 

[LayinHp]

also considering a cummins but may build a 6L up and make it reliable. cummins sounds good but a v8 diesel sounds better.

also Cummins has some issues aswell... just not as many as the 6L's






on another note I read that theres a class action lawsuit been filed against Ford and International/Northstar on there 6L engines not sure if it will go anywheres

 

[Phil G.]

A modified 6.0L is a good choice as well, but for me, it's only an option if I can delete the EGR system. I am not prepared to fight the good fight against the EGR on my $$. So the next question is emissions testing. I would have to be sure passing the visual etest would happen with the egr removed.

I also think I can pull better fuel mileage with the Cummins and a more open engine bay will make service less aggrevating.

There is also a cool factor to it IMO. BUT, it will likely be 2x the cost of a well built 6.0L so when the time comes, I will have to rethink and make sure what I am doing makes sense.

The one thing I do know is do not want a newer truck this time as I do not want to end up dealing with DPF's. EGR's are fun enough....

 

[HTRDDSL]

Removing the EGR won't make your diesel blow black smoke. I drove from Ontario to Edmonton last fall towing a 12000 lb trailer and had it floored a couple of times. Absolutely no smoke. Just make sure your tuner is not engaged when doing the test. A simple no cost test you can do is when your engine is cold disconnect the egr valve. It just unplugs. That is basically what a lot of guys are doing. The valve is shut when the engine is cold and does not let exhaust into the intake. Then take the truck for a drive, let it warm up and then rev it up to see if you get any black smoke. The valve will not open while it is disconnected. So you could drive like that indefinitely. Also if your egr cooler leaks the closed valve won't let the coolant into the intake.

As an afterthought if you are replacing egr coolers then your problem is a partially plugged oil cooler. That's what causes the egr cooler to leak in the first place. If you want to discuss it I'll be happy to. Just PM your phone number and we can talk about it.

 

[Phil G.]

Thanks for the reply. I don't call the shots on the repairs; Ford does (under extended warranty) They did an EGR cooler when I begged for head gaskets. Still puking. They did head gaskets after 11 more months of puking. Puking stopped but then another EGR cooler went so another EGR cooler & oil cooler got replaced. All is good right now.
The issue on the E test is the visual test of emmisions system. The test station is "suppose" to verify that all original emission components are there and hooked up. I don't know in practice if they check this or not as I have had 4 diesel Super Dutys since 1999 so I have never owned one long enough to need an etest!

 

[Hillz]

Older post, but I am new to this site and have some thoughts. The EGR system injects hot exhaust gas into the combustion chamber to help with NOX emissions. Here in Ontario they do not even check for NOX. A EGR delete will light the CEL light on the 06-07 trucks. The amount of smoke will be reduced with the delete.
I have to disagree with some of the earlier information. My understanding, the oil cooler plugs from the old factory gold coolant. This over heats the EGR cooler melting it down. The coolant leaks into the exhaust and shows as white smoke. Overheated coolant from the bad EGR cooler along with too few head bolts is what blows the headgaskets.
Even a brand new EGR cooler can go bad from a plugged oil cooler. Even with a new oil cooler the dirty contaminated cooling system can plug up the new oil cooler causing the EGR cooler to go bad. If you were compressing liquid you would have a bent rod. I check my EOT and ECT with my Scangauge II. Fantastic little gauge! If the temps very over 15 degrees the wrench light will come on and time for a oil cooler
Install a coolant filter and get ready to be surprised with whats in the cooling system. Hope this helps.