I have a 2000 F-350 PSD with 165k miles on the engine. I bought the truck used with high miles from Texas. I noticed the intercooler inlet boot was caked with dirt which drove me to investigate further. I removed the turbo compressor outlet boot and found some oil in the bottom of the boot and compressor cover. I know that compressors may pass a little oil past the seals over a long period of time, like 165k miles, but I ma not sure if this turbo is about to fail or is just typical for this mileage. The truck is a 6-speed and seems to run fine except when you mash the throttle and then she smokes like a freight train. It smokes like it cannot build boost or it is overfuelling. Does anyone have a good estimate of turbo life on these engines? What would be a good unit to replace if necessary?


I also want to check to see if the ECU has a chip. Where is the ECU and is it obvious?


Any help is appreciated.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Question.gif

Catman,


the dirt caked on the intercooler tubes (called cac tubes) is the result of many miles of blowby (oil that seeps at the cooler/tube/turbo). blowby is normal, but gets heavier when aiflow is restricted in the air box. dust, dirt are attracted by the moisture and cake at the junctions.


a good way to see if your turbo is on the edge of failure is to check the condition of the impeller/impeller housing. pull the air intake system back of the airbox (should be quite easy) and look in there with a flashlight. if the edges of the impeller blades are pitted, bent, or rounded off, youre in trouble. irregular noise and lack of power are also signs of turbo failure. i've seen original turbos last 500 miles and i've seen them last 600k miles. average life on a well maintained vehicle is about 150k. change your air filter often to improve turbo longevity.


you have a few options if you want to replace the turbo; garrett, banks, ford, international, and a handful of other aftermarkets make turbos. any of these are good. it will be cheapest through garrett or international.


6 speed. good choice.


if she blows black smoke thats an indication the injectors are dumping too much fuel in the cylinder. a lack of boost can cause the truck to shoot more fuel in compensation.


the pcm is on the firewall inside the engine compartment by the driver side wheelwell. not very obvious.


well, i think thats just about everything. hope some of that helped.

service writer,


Thanks for the reply.


I have checked the compressor wheel on the turbo for end play and radial bearing wear. The bearing assembly felt good, not much play. I don't hear any odd sounds just a light turbo whistle when it is working hard.


I have also checked the air filter prior to pulling the hose from the compressor outlet. The filter was a little dirty but not heavily caked with dirt, FORD should put a restriction gauge on the filter housing. I think I will install one for future truckin. Maybe the previous owner let the filter clog at one point in the trucks life causing the excesssive turbo compressor inlet restriction which inturn caused the oil to be drawn by the seal in the compressor housing. I also need to install a boost guage to see if she is making normal boost levels (I think that is around 15 psi)?


Your comment about the excessive smoke made me think. Why would the PCM cause the fuel system to overfuel when there is a lack of boost? I would think it to be just the opposite. I know on heavy duty diesel truck engines the ecm will limit the fueling based on certain inlet manifold pressure levels to prevent black smoke. The ECM is set-up to work like the fuel/air ratio control valve on a diesel mechanical fuel injection pump.


I will look for the pcm to see if there is a chip in it that might also be causing some overfuelling and perhaps extra smoke.


Thanks for your time.