When the 6.0-liter Powerstroke came out in 2004, there were some concerns from diesel experts about how it would perform. For the most part, Powerstroke engines have done just fine, but they aren’t without their idiosyncrasies that owners had to learn about the hard way. If your own truck has a Powerstroke inside of it, there are a few things you might want to look out for. Here are a few Powerstroke troubleshooting tips for beginners to the diesel engine world.
Some Ford trucks, specifically ones with Powerstrokes in them, rely on HEUI injectors instead of more standard high-pressure injection pumps. HEUI stands for “hydraulic electric unit injector,” and they use oil at high pressure levels to create the necessary pressure in the injector body. This reliance on oil means that you need to choose your fuel and oil carefully. Using low-quality versions of either can make your HEUI injectors start to stick as residue continually gets deposited on them from substandard fuel. Change your oil regularly and consider using a diesel fuel additive to prevent this from happening.
A useful Powerstroke troubleshooting tip for a beginner who has this kind of engine is to pay attention to the head gaskets. Older Powerstroke models don’t have the toughest head gaskets around, as each cylinder shares the rather limited number of bolts needed to hold them down. When there is too much pressure in the cylinder, the head can lift unexpectedly, which could lead your engine to overheating. Replacing your head gaskets and head studs with more robust versions can eliminate this issue.
Powerstroke engines have a built-in turbocharger that uses a number of different vanes to regulate the volume inside of the turbine. While this design is actually fantastic in terms of creating more power for your truck, there’s a tradeoff you should be aware of. Those vanes can also start to stick and even clog up over enough time. Cleaning the turbocharger’s vanes is your best bet to prevent this, although you can also remove the buildup by burning it out through revving the engine up to full power.
If you think you have a blown gasket somewhere, you might actually have an issue with your exhaust gas recirculation valves or coolers. EGR valves and coolers help to reduce emissions by carefully manipulating exhaust gas and reintroducing it into the engine while cooling it down so the engine doesn’t overheat. Particulates can easily start to build up over enough time, and you’ll notice this issue right away if you can see white smoke coming out of your engine.
Finding the perfect diesel exhaust systems for Ford trucks that can combat some of these issues is easy when you purchase through Norcal Diesel Performance. Our parts can make that Powerstroke engine into the powerhouse it was always meant to be.
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