oil and coolant contamination

fordman121 · August 2, 2012

So i've been able to avoid being diesel certified for the first 19 years of my career. Now i've been sucked. I'm hoping i can get some help with my 6.4l. i've got an 08 f-250. it runs great but the check engine light is on. i've got codes p008e fuel cooler pump control circuit high p0101 maf performance. p0128 t-stat stuck open all in memory. i did some inspecting and found what looks like oil in the coolant. it's black and doesn't smell like diesel. i also have diesel in the oil. the oil is thin, overfull and smells like diesel fuel. is there any known issues or a common source for the oil and coolant to be contaminated. thanks in advance

lmorris · August 2, 2012

Diesel in the oil is caused by either an injector leaking at the jam nut or the front seal on the HP pump leaking fuel into the crankcase. Oil in the coolant is typically the oil cooler. Not common but does happen.

To determine were the fuel is leaking from you need to drain the oil and run the low pressure fuel pump for a bit with the oil drain plug out, if you start to see fuel run out the drain hole(about 15 minutes) you need to replace the HPFP. If not, fill the oil and put some dye in the upper fuel filter housing. Remove both valve covers and run the engine with the FRP at around 10000 PSI. Look for leaks.

Before doing this though you may have to fix the coolant contamination issue first.

Going to be pricey for the customer if its off warranty, but that's what happens when you don't pay attention to your engine.

Bruce Amacker · August 3, 2012

Diesel in the oil is caused by either an injector leaking at the jam nut or the front seal on the HP pump leaking

Don't forget 6.4s have a tendency to build fuel in the oil from excessive regen, or even an inejctor leaking at the tip. How much overfull is it? I assume STFTs were in line?

Posted Image

Jim Warman · August 3, 2012

I was going to say that diesel in the oil is caused by starting the engine Posted Image

Keith Browning · August 3, 2012

So i've been able to avoid being diesel certified for the first 19 years of my career. Now i've been sucked.

Good luck! But we are here for additional support... technical and moral.

Originally Posted By: fordman121

i've got codes p008e fuel cooler pump control circuit high p0101 MAF performance.

Perform the pinpoint tests in the PCED for the fuel cooler pump. I have replaced 5 or 6 now and no other problems found. Clean the MAF sensor with CRC Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner and make sure the intake and exhaust are stock with no air management concerns present.

Originally Posted By: fordman121

p0128 t-stat stuck open all in memory. i did some inspecting and found what looks like oil in the coolant.

Inspect for front engine cover cavitation behind the water pump. There are several topics here on the subject with some good pictures as well. Make damn sure that you properly clean the cooling system as per TSB 10-07-05

Replace the thermostat

Originally Posted By: fordman121

i also have diesel in the oil. the oil is thin, overfull and smells like diesel fuel. is there any known issues or a common source for the oil and coolant to be contaminated.

some good ideas already thrown in here but I have been served well by implementing UV dye for diagnosing fuel leaks in the engine. Drain the oil on a hot engine. Dump 1 bottle of UV dye into the secondary fuel filter housing and then turn on the fuel pump using IDS active command mode. let it run up to an hour if necessary. Look for increased dripping and dye present in the droplets coming from the oil drain.

Next try running the engine with the dye installed and inspect around the injectors as mentioned... this is just for starters but usually you will find something with this method if the fuel dilution is caused by a leak. And don't forget to put oil in the engine before running it again.

Welcome to diesel hell!

fordman121 · August 3, 2012

thanks for all the help. i'm thinking based on input i've been getting the fuel in the oil is normal. it was only a little overfull and the customer doesn't remember the last oil change so i believe it's been awhile

lmorris · August 4, 2012

the customer doesn't remember the last oil change so i believe it's been awhile

At least this one is honest. Most say, "Sure I maintain it regularly."

Jim Warman · August 4, 2012

At least this one is honest. Most say, "Sure I maintain it regularly."

"Maintain" is one of those ubiquitous terms... One might assume that the operator means "I perform all necessary scheduled maintenance"" when he, ipso facto, means "if it breaks, I try to fix it".

I would be interested in seeing what proportion of motorists spend their time driving from one breakdown to the next.....

Keith Browning · August 4, 2012

"I change my oil every year whether it needs it or not!" Posted Image

Jim Warman · August 4, 2012

"I change my oil every year whether it needs it or not!"

Keeepththththth, you are treading on holy ground......

I purchased my 2002 SooperKroo in Jan 2003. It had about 32000 kms on it. Today, it has about 99,000 kms on the clock. 67,000 kms in 10 years. 6,700 kms per year. I change my oil twice a year whether it needs it or not.... Posted Image

But, yeah... I get your point. In the long run, I would prefer that our customers have us change their oil a bit late rather than have KwikeeLoob change it on time.