Black smoke/ hesitation

[txjimbob911]

Hey, new diesel truck owner here I have a 2004 F250 6.0 PSD, banks 6 gun, banks monster exhaust, Cold air intake all installed by previous owner. The truck only has 34000 miles and i checked the maintenance records at the ford garage where it was serviced and the previous owner only had it in for water in the fuel, other than regular service and recalls the truck hasn't had any problems. Having said that the problem I'm having is from time to time only when going up hill just as I accelerate the truck seems to hesitate, blow a huge amount of black smoke and I hear a sound like the turbo back blowing through the intake. This only happens when the fuel tank is almost empty, and when going up hill. The 6 gun is normally on 6 when I drive it daily except when I'm towing and then I use it on 4. This happened with it on all settings I moved it around when It was acting up. I haven't had this problem while towing but then again the tank wasn't almost empty. I have no idea what the hell is going on. I add 4oz of Ford PSD cetane booster with every fill up. I usually wait until the tank is empty to get fuel but I'm thinking I should stop that now that I have this problem. I'm hoping one of you diesel gods can E-diagnose this problem.... Thanks!!

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by txjimbob911

Hey, new diesel truck owner here I have a 2004 F250 6.0 PSD, banks 6 gun, banks monster exhaust, Cold air intake all installed by previous owner. The truck only has 34000 miles and i checked the maintenance records at the ford garage where it was serviced and the previous owner only had it in for water in the fuel, other than regular service and recalls the truck hasn't had any problems. Having said that the problem I'm having is from time to time only when going up hill just as I accelerate the truck seems to hesitate, blow a huge amount of black smoke and I hear a sound like the turbo back blowing through the intake. This only happens when the fuel tank is almost empty, and when going up hill. The 6 gun is normally on 6 when I drive it daily except when I'm towing and then I use it on 4. This happened with it on all settings I moved it around when It was acting up. I haven't had this problem while towing but then again the tank wasn't almost empty. I have no idea what the hell is going on. I add 4oz of Ford PSD cetane booster with every fill up. I usually wait until the tank is empty to get fuel but I'm thinking I should stop that now that I have this problem. I'm hoping one of you diesel gods can E-diagnose this problem.... Thanks!!

Never heard of this before. My guess would be sticky veins, but since you bring up that it only happens when its almost empty I'd have no clue. Your first best thing would be to get rid of the Banks 6 gun, and get SCT though.

The only thing i can think of right now is that your fuel gauge is off and you have less fuel in your tank than you think > Im sure someone will be able to chime in that is more familuar with the 6.0L.

Also welcome to the forum. Where at in michigan do you live??

[txjimbob911]

Fuel gage is not off. the last time it did it I was about 30 miles from home. It did it on and off all the way home. I stopped for fuel put 23 gallons in it and it stopped doing it. The last time I did it I was just under 1/4 tank and it took 21 or so gallons as I recall. The only thing that seems logical to me is the Turbo vanes sticking but why in the hell does it only do it when the tank is low. Is there a possibility that there is something in the fuel tank that is getting in the system when the level is low. BTW it only seems to do it when the truck is going up hill where is the fuel pickup????

[txjimbob911]

wriott I'm in Central PA

Im gonna have to do some research and see what i can find out for you. you might be on the right track of something floating around in the tank that might be plugging the pickup??? ill see what i can find out. also i have no idea why I asked if you were in michigan, brain fart, also its late and time for bed... good luck

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by wriott

Im gonna have to do some research and see what i can find out for you. you might be on the right track of something floating around in the tank that might be plugging the pickup??? ill see what i can find out. also i have no idea why I asked if you were in michigan, brain fart, also its late and time for bed... good luck

[03f250stroke]

is there any aftermarket fuel system on the truck...FASS? Air Dog?

[txjimbob911]

I don't know. It started doing it again today with almost a full tank so the almost empty tank theory is out the window. It does only do it going uphill though. I'm just going to take the banks kit off and take it to the dealership to see if this will be covered under the extended warranty.

[03f250stroke]

wait you havent ran the truck without the banks on it? you should remove it and see if the truck still does what it was doing with the banks.

if not then just take it to the dealer. IMO though i would ditch the banks all together