Hi everyone,
I've just purchased a 2004 E350 Chateau van with 157000km (98K miles) with a 6.0L engine. While I talked to the mechanic that previously maintained this vehicle, I don't think he specialized in diesel (or at least 6.0L) engines so I'm trying to get on top of maintenance for this thing. From what I've been told, within the past 15K miles it had the tranny flushed, a new glow plug controller, a new turbo, and the EGR cooler replaced. He told me that the EGR cooler and turbo were both aftermarket units, but he couldn't tell me the brand names as he just sourced them from a local diesel specialty shop and only installed the parts.
I've purchased an Edge CTS and installed it, although I have to wait on installing the EGR probe until I have a bit of time. From my first initial couple of drives, getting it up to operating temperature and pushing the engine, I can't get the temperature delta to exceed 7F. However, it's cold here and I'm not towing anything, so that might change if the weather was warmer. I've purchased a coolant bypass filter from dieselsite that hasn't yet arrived, but I'm intending on flushing out the ford gold with cat ec-1 when it gets here. I've also picked up 14 quarts of shell rotella t 5W40 synthetic to put in at the same time, and I'm trying to purchase the proper filters for oil, fuel, and the transmission to do all at once.
I have a couple of questions. First, the engine runs great, but mileage is very poor (instantaneous on highway averages around 10-12mpg). When the engine is warm, it periodically hesitates at stoplights, and when it does that it burps out a small cloud of white smoke until the turbo spools up and the engine gains power. I've also blown off the cold-side intercooler pipe when I was trying a WOT application, which makes me think that the turbo vanes are sticking and creating an overboost. However, I haven't been able to replicate that condition after I received the edge monitor, so I can't confirm that. So my first question is regarding my course of action. I was going to change the oil and all filters, either clean or install a new EGR valve, and clean the turbo vanes. Would that be a reasonable place to start with addressing this engine issue? Are their other PIDS or symptoms I should be monitoring to further define this issue and narrow down my treatments?
My second question involves brakes. I need new rotors on the front, and my back calipers have sat so long that I almost want to replace them just so that they don't seize on my at an inopportune moment. However, I have so many options regarding which rotors and calipers to purchase. I've attached the door sticker but I'm having a hard time determining which rotors/calipers I would need from that tag. Does it have 4-wheel ABS? Will I have to pull the axles to do the rear rotors, if I decide to do so? Does anyone have any part numbers I could use to order online? My local dealers are not very cheap when it comes to rotors and/or calipers.
When it comes to decoding this tag, I can't tell which axles I'd have. One place decoded VR axles as being V — 5310 spring (Econoline) and R — 5560 spring (Econoline, Ranger), but this seems light. Also, do I have a conventional 3.55 rear end, or is it limited slip? Part of my confusion is that the back of the van has a label that states it's a superduty. Is this confirmed by the door label?
Thanks for reading through this exceedingly long post. I appreciate any help you can provide.
EDIT: Here are the first batch of filters and parts I was going to purchase from dieselfiltersonline.com. Can you spot anything I'm missing or that I should avoid? If I was going to pick up a new EGR valve, can you tell me if I need CX-2056 or CX-2020? Where would I find the engine serial number on the van? Thanks!
[PFL2016] - Racor 6.0 and 6.4L Ford Diesel Oil Filters(Replaces Motorcraft Fl2016)
[PFF4606] -Racor PFF-4606 Ford - 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Fuel/Water Seperator Filters: E Series Vans(Replaces Motorcraft FD4606)
[EC767]Motorcraft oil filter cap for Ford 6.0 liter diesel e-series van oil filter cap(EC-767/4C2Z-6766-BA)
[FT-145] - Ford 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Motorcraft External Transmission Filter
[FA-1804] - Motorcraft FA1804 - Ford 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Motorcraft Air Filter FA-1804
[PM-22-A] Motorcraft Diesel Cetane Booster and Performance Improver(PM22A) PM-22-A
[PM-23-A] Motorcraft Diesel Anti Gel and Performance Improver-NEW LOW SULFER(PM23A) PM-23-A
I've just purchased a 2004 E350 Chateau van with 157000km (98K miles) with a 6.0L engine. While I talked to the mechanic that previously maintained this vehicle, I don't think he specialized in diesel (or at least 6.0L) engines so I'm trying to get on top of maintenance for this thing. From what I've been told, within the past 15K miles it had the tranny flushed, a new glow plug controller, a new turbo, and the EGR cooler replaced. He told me that the EGR cooler and turbo were both aftermarket units, but he couldn't tell me the brand names as he just sourced them from a local diesel specialty shop and only installed the parts.
I've purchased an Edge CTS and installed it, although I have to wait on installing the EGR probe until I have a bit of time. From my first initial couple of drives, getting it up to operating temperature and pushing the engine, I can't get the temperature delta to exceed 7F. However, it's cold here and I'm not towing anything, so that might change if the weather was warmer. I've purchased a coolant bypass filter from dieselsite that hasn't yet arrived, but I'm intending on flushing out the ford gold with cat ec-1 when it gets here. I've also picked up 14 quarts of shell rotella t 5W40 synthetic to put in at the same time, and I'm trying to purchase the proper filters for oil, fuel, and the transmission to do all at once.
I have a couple of questions. First, the engine runs great, but mileage is very poor (instantaneous on highway averages around 10-12mpg). When the engine is warm, it periodically hesitates at stoplights, and when it does that it burps out a small cloud of white smoke until the turbo spools up and the engine gains power. I've also blown off the cold-side intercooler pipe when I was trying a WOT application, which makes me think that the turbo vanes are sticking and creating an overboost. However, I haven't been able to replicate that condition after I received the edge monitor, so I can't confirm that. So my first question is regarding my course of action. I was going to change the oil and all filters, either clean or install a new EGR valve, and clean the turbo vanes. Would that be a reasonable place to start with addressing this engine issue? Are their other PIDS or symptoms I should be monitoring to further define this issue and narrow down my treatments?
My second question involves brakes. I need new rotors on the front, and my back calipers have sat so long that I almost want to replace them just so that they don't seize on my at an inopportune moment. However, I have so many options regarding which rotors and calipers to purchase. I've attached the door sticker but I'm having a hard time determining which rotors/calipers I would need from that tag. Does it have 4-wheel ABS? Will I have to pull the axles to do the rear rotors, if I decide to do so? Does anyone have any part numbers I could use to order online? My local dealers are not very cheap when it comes to rotors and/or calipers.
When it comes to decoding this tag, I can't tell which axles I'd have. One place decoded VR axles as being V — 5310 spring (Econoline) and R — 5560 spring (Econoline, Ranger), but this seems light. Also, do I have a conventional 3.55 rear end, or is it limited slip? Part of my confusion is that the back of the van has a label that states it's a superduty. Is this confirmed by the door label?
Thanks for reading through this exceedingly long post. I appreciate any help you can provide.
EDIT: Here are the first batch of filters and parts I was going to purchase from dieselfiltersonline.com. Can you spot anything I'm missing or that I should avoid? If I was going to pick up a new EGR valve, can you tell me if I need CX-2056 or CX-2020? Where would I find the engine serial number on the van? Thanks!
[PFL2016] - Racor 6.0 and 6.4L Ford Diesel Oil Filters(Replaces Motorcraft Fl2016)
[PFF4606] -Racor PFF-4606 Ford - 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Fuel/Water Seperator Filters: E Series Vans(Replaces Motorcraft FD4606)
[EC767]Motorcraft oil filter cap for Ford 6.0 liter diesel e-series van oil filter cap(EC-767/4C2Z-6766-BA)
[FT-145] - Ford 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Motorcraft External Transmission Filter
[FA-1804] - Motorcraft FA1804 - Ford 6.0 Liter Turbo Diesel Motorcraft Air Filter FA-1804
[PM-22-A] Motorcraft Diesel Cetane Booster and Performance Improver(PM22A) PM-22-A
[PM-23-A] Motorcraft Diesel Anti Gel and Performance Improver-NEW LOW SULFER(PM23A) PM-23-A
