How much engine damage was done?

[Quick_lude]

Let me give you a quick background.
Truck is a 2001 F350 V8 Turbo Diesel. For the past 3-4 weeks it had some issues starting/idling and while driving/coasting it would hesitate/stumble at lower rpms until the revs hit 2K, then it would feel ok. The last couple of weeks it's gotten really bad, it would stall and then while restarting it would shutter and thinking about it now, I could almost hear the pistons "clanging".. This is a company truck btw, not mine. Personally I thought it could be some kind of plug issue, especially with the misfiring.. but yesterday the thing would not start at all so just for kicks I checked the oil. It was down SIX litres.

Now I know these things probably take about 8-12L of oil but obviously being down 6L in a big work truck that is under constant stress/load cannot be good for it. Once I topped up and drove it for a while the truck is almost back to normal, no hesitating/"misfiring" under low rpms..

So I'm just curious, what kind of damage do you guys think happened to the engine? Were those normal symptoms of a diesel engine low on oil?

Oh and btw, I'm not a dummy when it comes to engines

, this company supposedly has a mechanic that maintains the trucks so low oil never crossed my mind..

This guy should be fired and I should get a reward for saving them a costly rebuild.

[ December 01, 2003, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: Quick_lude ]

 

[SmoothFlyer]

Just an educated guess, Damage to the turbine bearings is probably light to moderate with little or no damage to the rest of the engine, yet. A UOA will give a better picure IMO. Look for wear metals from the turbine bearings. I would think repairs, if any, should be based on the UOA with other diagnostics.

A tip on using turbos:
Allow the engine to idle AT LEAST 10 seconds, preferably 20, on every startup.

This brings fresh cool oil the turbine bearings before they start working hard and heating up.

Allow the engine to idle AT LEAST 30 seconds, preferably 2 minutes, before each shut down.

This allows the engine oil to cool the turbine bearings so they don't cook the oil that's left in them on shutdown.

On a side note, many turbocharged aircraft engines require a minimum 5 minute idle before shutdown.

And don't trust anyone with the oil level, always check it yourself.

 

[JohnnyO]

quote:

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Originally posted by Quick_lude:
Personally I thought it could be some kind of plug issue, especially with the misfiring.

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Uh, diesels don't have any plugs. Could also be a plugged or leaky injector though. Change the oil and filter(s) and see if it helps.

 

[Bio-T]

One good thing on the Power Stroke Diesel is that when the oil gets to low it will shut off prior to damage. The HPOP (High Pressure Oil Pump) requires it to be full to run the injectors. That is one of the few good things on this engine.
Yes it is a 15Qt sump, so 6ltrs. was bordering on total no-start or shutdown. In your case it was pumping, but just barely adequate to keep it running, and I suspect that was why the rough running. The no-start was caused by not enough oil in the HPOP.
The sump provides the oil for the turbo, so not a worry on that as you still had 8-9 qts in it for the engine oil pump. Two oil systems, one in the sump, and the HPOP to fire the HEUI injectors.
Smooth-Flyer is correct, I would get an Oil Analysis. 1-2 quart useage is not abnormal in this engine in 3K miles, 6 ltrs. in how many miles? May want to decrease your oil change intervals to 4,000 KM for a few changes. Cost is about $7K US for a rebuilt PSD. Your mechanic is getting sloppy, JMO

 

[Bio-T]

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnnyO:

quote:

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Originally posted by Quick_lude:
Personally I thought it could be some kind of plug issue, especially with the misfiring.

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Uh, diesels don't have any plugs. Could also be a plugged or leaky injector though. Change the oil and filter(s) and see if it helps.

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Johnny O,
You are 100% correct. Anytime you have a rough running PSD, change the oil and filter first. If this does not cure the problem, then look for mechanical/electrical problems like the CPS. (Cam Position Sensor) Alot of foaming issues with this truck with some oils. Outstanding Point.

 

[Quick_lude]

Do'h!

Diesels obviously don't have spark plugs.. I have no clue *** was I thinking when I typed that..

These trucks get driven a lot, I myself put on about 500km in two nights, the full time guys probably do about 100-200km a day. The company isn't that meticulous with maintenance as you can see.. I was thinking about suggesting they use a 5w40 for the winter but I don't think they would like the increased cost over the Carquest 15w40.

 

[JohnnyO]

quote:

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Originally posted by Quick_lude:
I was thinking about suggesting they use a 5w40 for the winter but I don't think they would like the increased cost over the Carquest 15w40.

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Filled up with fresh but thicker oil beats half empty with thinner oil.

Pay me now or pay me later. Oops, that was an old Fram commercial, wasn't it?

I don't claim to be a diesel expert but part of my previous job entailed occasionally driving and maintaining a Ford F-700 diesel box truck, also two full-size Dodge vans (junk, don't get me started).

[ December 02, 2003, 03:55 PM: Message edited by: JohnnyO ]

 

[Quick_lude]

Tell me about it, trying to start these mofos at -25 deg Celsius at night is no easy task, that 15w40 must be rather thick..

I don't suppose Carquest sells any 5w40 diesel oil do they? Would the Shell Rotella be the cheapest OTC 5w40 for diesel?