$5k Complete Solution or Diesel Kleen and Seafoam?

[ronaldcason]

My truck is stock w/ 120k miles. Last 2 camping trips it has gone into "limp home" mode. After that, with no load, the turbo was slow to make any boost...was like driving a slug but that didn't happen with every acceleration. I noticed coolant on the driveway and topped of the degas with tap water.

I started using Diesel Kleen and Seafoam (not every fill up) and now the truck seems fine. I can take it out and dog it repeatedly, literally try to break something and it seems to laugh at me. I feel like I could drive anywhere, unless I'm towing the camper. I feel like the limp mode would happen again.

I just installed a Scangauge - Crusing at 70 mph with no load/outside temp 40* - ECT/175* and EOT/186*. According to what I've seen here on the org, those temps are low, probably needs a thermostat and since the ECT isn't at least 190*, the 15* delta doesn't apply.

I've received a few quotes around the $5000.00 mark for the complete solution (and a few other things) install and from what I understand, this is the best way to go, but Diesel Kleen and Seafoam are much cheaper.

Question: Other than coolant temp/heater, what purpose does the thermostat serve? The cab warms nicely. Why would I replace if the ECT/EOT are only going to climb?

What are some recommendations to address the "while towing" problem - bigger exhaust, coolant flush and filter? Looking for ideas.

Thanks!

[2006PSDSD]

The cooler ECT would make the engine revert back to a warm up type mode, and keep it from obtaining full boost. I'd say to change the stat, and verify that the temps are high enough before chasing anymore problems. Could be all you need . Are your fuel filters clean/new?

[CADASH]

Not a 6.0 expert by any means or know alot about them but it seems like your vanes got stuck on your turbo and and the diesel kleen and seafoam cleaned them up. Just a thought.

[nylyon]

6.0 complete solutions usually comprise of head studs, head gaskets, oil cooler and some sort of solution for the EGR cooler. If your temperatures are good, I am not sure what the complete solution would do for you? Figuring out why you're de-fueling (limp mode) would be the best course of action. As mentioned it *could* be the turbo vanes sticking?

[bismic]

Even if your coolant doesn't reach 190, the oil cooler could still be plugged and keeping coolant from flowing through the EGR cooler (which will cause a failure). I understand that the system needs to be at operating temp for the 15*F delta temp "rule of thumb" to appply, but don't ignore it just because the thermotat is not closing off properly.

[Dave]

What are the ambient temps where you are at?

Theres one thing people forget with the 6.0 The thermostat fully opens at 190.

It partially opens at 182. So depending on ambient temps a 178-182 coolant temp is normal

[bismic]

Ambient temps and engine load. It will get to the full 190*F in very cold weather if you are working the engine hard enough.

[Lilpooh]

My truck is stock w/ 120k miles. Last 2 camping trips it has gone into "limp home" mode. After that, with no load, the turbo was slow to make any boost...was like driving a slug but that didn't happen with every acceleration. I noticed coolant on the driveway and topped of the degas with tap water.



You found coolant in the drive way? And topped off with water?.............

Where was the leak coming from? At which mark did you top off the degas bottle?

[ronaldcason]

Lilpooh - I figure it had to be coolant - it took much longer to dry than a simple wet spot. The thing is, I really couldn't tell where it came from. There was nothing abvious under the hood but I probably don't know what to look for. I added enough water (wasn't that much) to bring the level to min line on the degas bottle.

Dave - The temp yesterday was about 40* when I took it out for drive.

Thanks everyone for the help - I picked up a thermostat earlier and will get it changed out asap - then from there.

[bfrank81]

Do some searching on here about Seafoam. I've used it in my gas engines before but I remember reading that it can be bad for the diesels. You might want to stop that and pick up some simple 2-stroke oil from Walmart.

Are your fuel filters clean? When was the last oil change and what did you use?