Ford Powerstroke Repair & Service Specialists

Since its introduction in 1994 to the latest version in 2010, the Powerstroke built by Navistar / International Harvester has been a frontrunner in technological firsts for the light duty diesel market.

Throttle by wire, HEUI injection and variable geometry turbo charging were some of the areas that Ford led the diesel revolution.

At Precision Auto Service, we have always stayed on top of the latest technology and that endeavor continues with the purchase of the Ford IDS (Integrated Diagnostic System). The IDS is the Ford Factory diagnostic system and we are proud to be one of the few shops in all of Metro Vancouver who have invested in this technology.

In fact due to the technolgy being used in todays modern diesels, the use of the IDS is a requirement to properly diagnose and repair these engines. Many fixes for these engines require a software calibration update that requires a subscription to Fords database and the tooling (IDS) to perform the task. Whithout this level of technology, the repair shop is left guessing about what is wrong with your truck and whether it is fixed properly or not. Don’t let amateurs play with your investment without the propper tooling. Ask if they have invested in the IDS!

Call us today, to schedule any of your service needs.

Do you have a hard starting, rough running Powerstroke? Ford has updated the way the Fuel Injectors are controlled many times to try and cure this problem. We have the solution!

Many of the above symptoms can be cured by performing the latest calibration updates. This requires a subscription to Fords database and the tooling (IDS) to perform the task. Whithout this level of technology, other repair shops are left guessing about what is wrong with your truck and whether it is fixed properly or not. Don’t let amateurs play with your investment without the propper tooling. Ask if they have invested in the IDS!

Call us today, to schedule your Powerstroke for the latest software calibration updates!

Ford IDS

Much discussion has been given to why the EGR coolers fail on the 6.0L Powerstroke, but little to why the oil cooler fails. The good news is, failures can be prevented!

A search of the internet will give you dozens of websites speculating about all sorts of theories, but one thing for sure is the coolant passages in the oil cooler plug up and this is what leads to EGR cooler failure. See link for technical details.

Preventing oil cooler failure has been a bit of a challenge until recently, with the creation of a reasonably priced coolant filtration system.

Precision Auto Service has researched the available coolant filtration system and has brought in the Dieselsite coolant filtration systems.

Coolant filters are not a new idea to the diesel engine world. They come in most OEM applications for medium duty and tractor trailer rigs. The idea was somehow tossed aside for light duty applications, most likely due to cost.

For the Powerstroke, coolant filters are a very important issue that needs to be addressed. Many diesel engines – like the Powerstroke – are cast with sand at the factory. This sand is NOT completely removed from the system, in fact, lots of this sand can fall out of the casting over time. The sand can wear away at water pump seals, hoses and radiators and removal of this sand can greatly increase your water pump life, but more importantly, it can prevent plugging of the factory designed Engine Oil Cooler.

The DIESELSITE Coolant Filter Install Kit will remove the loose particles in your cooling system and give your water pumps, radiators, heater core and engine oil cooler the protection they need from these abrasive and plugging materials. Wear and plugging is greatly reduced by the removal of undesirable elements in your cooling system.

Call us for details on a coolant filter system on your truck.

The use of Exhaust Gas Recirculation is relatively new to diesel engines and is largely misunderstood.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR is designed to cool the combustion chamber of the engine to reduce the formation of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) that contribute to the formation of photochemical smog. This is the orangey-grey haze we commonly see in the Fraser Valley on hot summer days.

The EGR valve used on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke has been a bit troublesome for a few reasons. The EGR valves plug up with soot and fail, they fail internally due to electrical component defects and the oil coolers fail – causing the EGR cooler to overheat and this cracks the cooler, causing engine coolant to leak into the engine cylinders, causing multiple concerns.

One of the main reasons the EGR coolers can fail on the Powerstroke is due to the engine oil cooler failure, which restricts coolant flow through the EGR cooler and causes the cooler to overheat and crack, always replace the engine oil cooler with a failed EGR cooler.

The EGR system can be serviced and repaired many ways and it will depend on your personal needs as how to best solve any EGR problems, please give us a call to discuss your truck. Many shop are opting to “delete” the EGR system altogether, this solution, albeit permanent, is quite illegal, produces excessive pollution and may cause your vehicle to fail AirCare testing in the future. We DO NOT recommend this method.

Precision Auto chooses to use the much improved, Bulletproof Diesel EGR coolers that are warrantied for the life of the truck, we were the first Bulletproof Diesel installer in western Canada.

Precision Auto Service is the only independent shop in B.C. to invest in the BG EGR system cleaning equipment, allowing the EGR valve to last and make your truck more reliable, while continuing to reduce the pollution as it was designed to do.

The EGR coolers used on the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke have earned a dreadful reputation as they fail, mainly due to the oil coolers plugging up – causing the EGR cooler to overheat and this cracks the cooler, causing engine coolant to leak into the exhaust and or engine cylinders, causing multiple concerns.

The EGR cooler can be repaired a few ways and it will depend on your personal needs as how to best solve any EGR problems, please give us a call to discuss your truck. Many shop are opting to “delete” the EGR system altogether, this solution, albeit permanent, is quite illegal, produces excessive pollution, can turn your “check engine” light on and may cause your vehicle to fail AirCare testing in the future. We DO NOT recommend this method.

Precision Auto chooses to use the much improved, Bulletproof Diesel EGR coolers that are warrantied for the life of the truck, we were the first Bulletproof Diesel installer in western Canada and we have installed more of the “Bulletproof ” systems than anyone in B.C.. Call us today or come by and see us to find out which “Bulletproof” system is right for your truck.

For more info on Bulletproof EGR coolers, view the video below or give us a call at 604-530-9394 or 1-888-530-9394.

bullet proof diesel

bullet proof diesel egr cooler

The fuel injection control module is a common failure on the 2003 to 2009 6.0L Powerstroke. Typical symptoms of a failing FICM are hard starting, rough running cold and an engine that will not start. Trouble is, those same symptoms are also exhibited with sticking or failed injectors.

With the equipment and expertise we have, we can pinpoint the cause of your hard starting truck and fix it right the first time. We are also one of the few shops in the province who can install a new FICM on a Powerstroke and program it with the software it requires to run. Most shops have to tow the truck to the Ford dealer to get them programmed before they will start.

Precision Auto keeps in stock the “Alliant Power” and “Swamps Diesel” F.I.C.M. to get you and your truck back on the road quickly.

F.I.C.M.

The Powerstroke Engines from 1994 to 2007 use a unique Hydraulic Electric Unitized Injector that was designed by Caterpillar for use in industrial diesel engines. This design was leading edge technology that allowed high pressure multiport injection without a high pressure injection pump. These injectors use high pressure engine oil to pressurize the fuel for injection. The use of engine oil in the injectors has led to many injector failures due to poor quality or dirty oil. Use of 15W40, 10W30 or 5W40 CJ+4 rated oil is essential.

Injector failure due to low quality or dirty fuel is also common. The morale of the story, change your oil and filters, as well as your fuel filters frequently with high quality products, and the injectors will thank you.

The 2003 to 2008 6.0L engine also has multiple software calibration updates to improve injector performance and lifespan. Call us to schedule an appointment to check your calibration file status if you own one of these engines.

Last of all, the use of quality filters is critical, at Precision Auto Service, we have sourced all of our Powerstroke filters from Racor, the company who makes them for Ford Motorcraft. Watch the video to see why the quality of the filter you use is so important.

Cylinder head gasket failure on the 6.0L Powerstroke, although not as common as you may be lead to think, is a notable problem.

Failure can often be followed back to a failed EGR cooler causing the truck to run low on coolant.

Precision Auto always performs the required upgrades to prevent future failues when replacing the head gaskets on one of these trucks. This includes, but is not limited to: Cylinder head stud kit, new BULLETPROOF EGR and Oil coolers, Upgraded oil pressure fittings, software calibration files ect..

The high pressure oil system on the Powerstroke engines is the heart of the fuel delivery system. Without high pressure oil, the injectors will not fire fuel into the cylinders and the truck will not start. The high pressure oil is the same lube oil from the oil pan but is delivered through its own high pressure pump mounted on top of the engine.

The weakness comes from all the connection points and o-ring seals used in this engine, each connection point is a weak link and if you are doing any major engine repair , it is a good time to upgrade the weak points while the engine is apart. Shown below is the upgraded “Snap to connect” fitting from the high pressure oil pump on the 2005 and newer engines, it is just one of many connections prone to fail and cause problems.

The Garret variable geometry turbo used on the Ford Powerstroke works like a small turbo at low RPM and like a large turbo at high RPM, this is a perfect system, until it goes bad. Many drivers will experience poor performance at lower engine speeds caused by a sticking unison ring in the turbo. When the ring sticks the turbo geometry will not change and performance suffers. A sticking unison ring can often cause a barking or coughing type noise from the air filter box when decelerating. – Note: other failures can cause similar symptom, diagnosis to pinpoint the cause is always a wise idea.

At Precision Auto we keep new unison rings, actuator cranks and boost hoses in stock to get your truck back on the road quickly. We overhaul many turbos here, that other shops would want to replace due to lack of experience working on these systems. Here are some pictures of worn and damaged VVT turbos.