oil (non) circulation

[capt_casual]

Hello all, I just ordered an AE diagnostic tool, when I receive it I will post the results of tests. More importantly, today I became a premium member of Powerstroke.org to support the site and in recognition that the greatest tool I have is access to the knowledge held by the members of this site. Thank You all for sharing.

I have posted infrequently here, and got some great feedback, but I have been unable to resolve the underlying issue(s) with my high mileage 02 F250. Namely; low power/stumbling until good and hot, more recently delayed/hard shifting and an oil leak somewhere in the valley. I think a major problem is slowly developing and I hope to nip it in the bud.

About two months ago I discovered a bit of oil in the degas bottle, so I replaced the seals in the oil cooler. at the same time I flushed the coolant system and changed the oil. I believe the oil must have gummed up the thermostat as it started to run cool when I noticed the oil in the coolant,and has continued to run cool, but I am dreading the R&R as I just did it about 5mos ago when the waterpump failed.

I get about 450 miles on a full tank and I add about quart of oil each time, I am surprised, and concerned with how clean and cool the oil is on the dipstick. I mean clean almost like new. the oil pressure on the dash gauge has always come up normally and the temp gauge never gets above halfway.

I´m just spitballing symptoms here and I know it may not be very useful info, but I also worry that the AE results may not provide a smoking gun. I have arranged a secure garage with a pit for teardown of the turbo pedestal and HPOP in order to find the oil leak, and I´ll use this opportunity to test compression and install EGT gauge.

I guess aside from crying ¨help¨to all you wizards, I´m looking for insight into how all these symptoms may be tied together at one root cause or should I be looking for multiple faults.

Thanks

[kaya@bernhausen]

generally, hard starting cold, coupled with a lack of power until warm are both symptoms of tired injectors. if the truck has high miles and they've never been done, i'd definitely be looking in that direction

[capt_casual]

Starting has never really been an issue, I live in a warm area and I have not noticed any change in the cranking time. I did notice, when I was inspecting the UVCH, that the #8 (only) injector appears different and was likely replaced by PO. Oh, and sometimes breifly after starting it lopes hard for a second or two then smooths out, it seems to happen when it sits (no fuel leaks, replaced filter at last oil change)

As I mentioned AE is on the way and should clear up most of these type of possibilities, does anyone have thoughts on the oil issue. I'm wondering if it's possible that it could be circulating enough or in just the right areas to satisfy the pressure guage but not enough to properly feed the HPOP and not finding it's way back to the sump?!?

[capt_casual]

well, it took a while but my scan tool was delivered and I have pulled codes and performed the onboard tests.

As kaya@bernhausen suggested, #5 injector suonded weaker on the buzz test and failed CCT.
I pulled quite a few DTCs and most can be explained but I'm looking for some input on the following:

U1027 J1850- invalid or missing RPM data, I have a working tach on the dash cluster and it matches the scan tool data box.

B1884-PAD warning lamp, and U1262-SCP (J1850) communications bus fault, I'm guessing the comm bus fault is responsible for the RPM data fault, what I'd like to know is where do I physically look to isolate these problems?

[kaya@bernhausen]

j1850 is the data protocol. i wouldn't pay too much attention to U codes. U codes can be set from low battery voltage, stalling, and other possibilities. what i mean is, don't go tearing into them expecting to find a problem. they are network communication issues. the network shares data in enormous amounts. it's expected that some of that data be misdirected/unreceived

[capt_casual]

thanks, I'll focus on the leak and injectors for now. When I buzzed the injectors I was standing over the engine and it sounded like #4 buzzed weakly and took the place of #5, I tried it a few times and I'm sure #4 is buzzing twice (weak sounding) and #5 not at all. Is this normal if #5 needs replacing? also what do you think about this superclean oil?

[capt_casual]

thanks for the feedback. During the injector buzz test I was standing over the engine listening and ticking them off as they fired and it sounded like