1995 Ford F250 Tractor Hauler

1995 Ford F250 7.3 Power-stroke 124K on the clock. I had a fuel leak a month ago it turned out to be the lift pump. I removed the filter canister cleaned it out replaced all the fuel hoses connected to it and the lift pump replaced the lift pump. Tuesday I went to pick up a rear end out of a JD mower to seal the hydrostatic trans on I left the engine running. White smoke started blowing out the exhaust pipe HEAVY at idle, I could rev it up it smoked badly. It did not smoke while driving and ran great no skipping at idle either.

I went to start it yesterday the starter hit hard the engine did not turn over: SHOCK. I waited about 15 min went back it started normal I then pulled it up to the shop door to work on. I drained the filter can removed the filter and filled it with ATF. I put a qt of ATF in each tank along Bio-Kleen and Clean Diesel fuel treatment. I stated it up no smoke drove it no smoke ran good. I let it idle while I ate supper it started smoking after 30 min. I drove it again 75/80MPH for 24 miles sometimes with the TCC switched off ran it about 3K RPM, with a scanner hooked up did not see an issue I then went thru all the test my scanner offers it passed all of them. KOEO, KOER, cylinder contribution, Injector buzz test.

While doing the test and just looking NO SMOKE. I started it up today let it idle 30 Min NO SMOKE idle good cold on start up. I think an injector stuck and was loading it up with fuel. I did notice the day I seen smoke it idled rough when I started it up cold but cleared up. About a mounth ago I had a fuel leak I liked to never found the fuel leak (lift pump) I dyed the fuel with florescent dyes. Yesterday when I dumped the fuel out of the filter canister it had a green tint of the dye. The dye may have been an issue are chit happens a injector stuck.

I have always passed on diesel engine repairs other the computer control side of them that part comes easy to me. NOW I GOT one (2 for the record) the mechanical side of them interest me. For those that know am I correct to think a injector was sticking if so could luck be on my side.

Hello Hobo,NC,
White smoke at start up in a cold climate is normal and it is raw not totally burned fuel.
While white smoke when hot is usually coolant reaching the combustion chamber.
They have distinctive smells, so now you get to do some sniffing.
Fuel out of the exhaust smells like kerosine, while coolant has a sweet smell.
Use your infrared thermometer on each exhaust port, and compare temps. A
dribeling injector will show as a hot cylinder. Of course a low flow injector will produce less heat. Good hunting.....
Guido.

I think you are making a fair assessment. Might be
a sticky injector. If all injectors passes the buzz test
they should be ok. I?ve resealed some of those
injectors first gen PS injectors to fix leaks, that?s not
really an intermittent problem though (like you
have). You might want to check the wiring harness
that goes under the valve covers for chafing, if that
wiring harness is faulty it can cause intermittent
injector problems.

Any antifreeze in the oil? Had a similar problem once with a 7.3, pitted cylinder walls, cavitation.

Hello Guido. I should have defined Smoke not steam its eye burning nose stinging improper combustion emission’s out the tail pipe. Mom in the house complained about it I told her it was that link sausage she fried up and burnt.

I brought it in June have worked on it ever since its more so mother nature/time issues that come with age. The good my neighbor has one just like it he has had the same issues other than my injector issues. His leaked and had performance issues now that I have one I have resolved his issues. Prior to me getting one I would not touch it other than cam sensors and normal truck maintenance. I am vested now cannot run from’em…

I like learning and making money but not on my own stuff… Wink Wink..

Have proper oil level no coolant are diesel in oil. Both coolant and oil have stayed normal. When I removed the filter can it did surprise me the amount of rust that had accumulated in the bottom of it. I have it and the drain valve all sealed up with new o-rings the drain works and does not leak like ell when you drain the can.

For anyone that has one the drain valve uses two -202 o-rings and I think a -114 valve to can o-ring it will save you a good chunk of money those drain valves are in the $80 range. If you remove the can you will need a -115 are -116 o-ring.

If your seeing rust you have a problem with the fuel tank, there's been several threads on Ford forums about the steel tanks becoming delaminated causing the tanks to rust and the rust going through the fuel system.
I have a nephew that loves the old 7.3 PS engines and has worked on several on the side. He replaced the leaking injector cups in my old truck (95 F-350), the one that gave he the most trouble had rust in the fuel system. After replacing several sticking injectors he finally replaced the tank and flushed the entire fuel system before he got the problem cured.

Sadly I understand fuel tanks age out and rust I have replaced a bunch on 80/90's chevy/Fords Gasser in the last 5 years. When I filled with ATF there was some dark brown fuel in the bottom of the can are on top of the heating element. I cleaned it very well I was hoping it would not return I will go looking for new tanks and filter necks. The guy I got it from drove it 12/1500 miles a year for the last 17 years I know that's not good on the tanks.

It would be nice to do away with dual tanks and get one BIG"N.

Hello Guido, all is good for now got caught up and a traffic jam for 35 min today I went bout 1500 feet during that time I recon that was a good test for it.

When I went to bed last night I thought about how to use a infrared thermometer to test for a stuck open injector. My thoughts a flooding injector would run cooler incomplete combustion the un-burnt fuel would cool that cylinder down. ?

Just trying to lean I understand turning up the fuel concept on a diesel I thought it made black smoke when its turned up...

Hello Hobo,the NC,


Missed your reply. My first diesel school was in the service, International
Harvester. Been practicing on diesel ever since. Last decade of two on air
cooked engines. Diesels went electronic in 1986, so back to school I went.
Anyhow give me a shout if you want. I May just guess right....

Guido.

I want to up date this as the came back I think I am headed toward a head gasket issue will know soon as I am going to replace all the glow plugs and look for a cylinder head/gasket coolant getting in a combustion chamber issue

I found out if i take the radiator cap off the smoke/steam stops if I put it back on it comes back if I pump it up with a pressie tester it smokes/steams worst... More details but no need to ramble on about it...

I have a saying so will have to live by it even tho I have been lead to believe a 7.3 is indestructible...

Mother Nature Never Goes To Sleep! I am hope the head gaskets have just aged out...