Thanks! (ATF in the fuel filter does wonders)

Since I got this IDI it puts out a white/grey smokeshow and idles rough until it comes up to operating temp. (10 minutes +/-).
I needed to fix this before it warms up enough for my neighbors to have their windows open. We're talking a LOT of smelly smoke.
It was suggested that one, or more, of the injectors isn't popping until it gets warm enough. And/or my timing is off.
I did buy a timing meter but I haven't bothered trying it yet since I agree that I probably have injector problems.
So I bit the bullet and ordered a set of injectors from one of the recommended rebuilders here.
In the meantime, I got the engine fully warmed up last night and then filled my fuel filter with ATF and then started the engine for a few seconds and then shut it off.
I just started it this afternoon. No smoke show!!!! And it ran smooth right off the bat (after the ATF got used up).
Thanks for the great advice here!

Now I'm thinking that my injectors may be ok. Or maybe the ATF "fixed" some other problem? I guess I could pull the injectors and have them pop tested. But I have new ones on order so if I'm going through the trouble of pulling my injectors then I might as well put the new ones in? But they're $450.
I'm having a hard time deciding.

If it’s running smooth, good power, decent mpg, you may still be surprised with timing it.

Yes. I suppose timing is next. But I was thinking of waiting until after I put the new injectors in (or getting the old ones pop tested).

Actually, next is another thing that I know will help for sure. Putting the IH mudflaps on that my wife gave me for Christmas.

Flaps on. Much better than the Mack bulldog ones that were on there.

I'll be honest and say that I'm not really cozying up to the diesel like I had hoped. I wish I'd bought a gasser. (Sorry, I know that's borderline blasphemy to say that in here. lol)
But I'm kinda stuck with it at this point and I'm starting to accept it for what it is and I am grateful for a solid vehicle that will last and I can (mostly) maintain and fix myself, which was my main goal.

What don’t you like about the diesel? I owned four gas trucks before my first diesel and wouldn’t want to go back. I actually want to swap diesel in everything at this point.

I guess it's mostly the engine noise.
And the rpms at 60mph (due to the C6 auto 3-speeed). I usually avoid 4-lane roads when I can anyways but sometimes I do end up on them (and once in a while the turnpike which is posted at 70mph and most people are doing 80mph).
And why does diesel cost $1/gal. more than the cheapest gas? Plus the additive.
Thankfully, I don't really go anywhere since I work from home. Between my 1985 Benz (gasser) and this truck I probably won't put 5k miles on either of them in a year. So the fuel price really isn't an issue. I just don't understand why diesel would cost more.
I still really like this truck. And hopefully I'll come around and learn to be happy with the drivetrain.
Or maybe I'll hit the lottery and can get a ZF5 tranny and have the cab soundproofed. lol
For now I guess I'll just have to upgrade the radio and speakers. ;-)

Brian VT said:

I guess it's mostly the engine noise.
And the rpms at 60mph (due to the C6 auto 3-speeed). I usually avoid 4-lane roads when I can anyways but sometimes I do end up on them (and once in a while the turnpike which is posted at 70mph and most people are doing 80mph).
And why does diesel cost $1/gal. more than the cheapest gas? Plus the additive.

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Try an IDI van with a C6 and 4.10 in high winds with bad window seals. Now THAT's noisy. I stay at 55 mostly though since the RV gets single digits

Diesel is usually about 50-70 cents more than gas. It's still cheaper per mile in the RV than a gasser would be.

Let's say gas is $4.50 and diesel is $5. A 7.5L in this same RV would probably get, lets say 6.5mpg average. The IDI get roughly 8.3.

$4.50 / 6.5 = $0.69/mi
$5 / 8.3 = $0.60mi

That's not counting additive of course, but that's a few pennies per mile. It probably comes out close to the same per mile but oh well. I was getting 9+mpg last fall when I drove from W TX to Yuma, AZ, since it was mostly flat and there was little to no wind, and I stayed at 55 the whole way. No way a gasser would see that.

Well, you have the diesel for the right reasons.
I don't haul much. Just a boat for 5 miles (twice a year), some dirtbikes in the bed on the summer weekends, and maybe help a friend move now and then.
My mechanic friend talked me into the diesel due to the anticipated longevity and simplicity. And he was probably right on that front.
I just need to adjust my attitude, I guess.

Brian VT said:

Well, you have the diesel for the right reasons.
I don't haul much. Just a boat for 5 miles (twice a year), some dirtbikes in the bed on the summer weekends, and maybe help a friend move now and then.
My mechanic friend talked me into the diesel due to the anticipated longevity and simplicity. And he was probably right on that front.
I just need to adjust my attitude, I guess.

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Yeah an F150 4.6L V8 would probably be enough for you, and would get mid to upper mpgs with gas if you keep your foot out of it when you're not hauling. I got my F250 first with the intent to either have a slide in camper or a trailer. I found I dislike both and much prefer a motorhome, so the F250 needs to go in the next year or two when I get back over to it, before it rots away from being parked. At least it's got lots of cats around, so maybe rodents probably won't get at the wiring.

hacked89 said:

wouldn’t want to go back. I actually want to swap diesel in everything at this point.

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I feel the same way. That's why I'm slowly working on IDI swapping my only gas truck.

Brian VT said:

I guess it's mostly the engine noise.
And the rpms at 60mph (due to the C6 auto 3-speeed). I usually avoid 4-lane roads when I can anyways but sometimes I do end up on them (and once in a while the turnpike which is posted at 70mph and most people are doing 80mph).

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I can certainly understand not liking this.

Brian VT said:

I guess it's mostly the engine noise.
And the rpms at 60mph (due to the C6 auto 3-speeed). I usually avoid 4-lane roads when I can anyways but sometimes I do end up on them (and once in a while the turnpike which is posted at 70mph and most people are doing 80mph).
And why does diesel cost $1/gal. more than the cheapest gas? Plus the additive.
Thankfully, I don't really go anywhere since I work from home. Between my 1985 Benz (gasser) and this truck I probably won't put 5k miles on either of them in a year. So the fuel price really isn't an issue. I just don't understand why diesel would cost more.
I still really like this truck. And hopefully I'll come around and learn to be happy with the drivetrain.
Or maybe I'll hit the lottery and can get a ZF5 tranny and have the cab soundproofed. lol
For now I guess I'll just have to upgrade the radio and speakers. ;-)

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Brian,

I am sure your diesel truck will grow on you. These are like tug boats vs ski boats. They are slow, steady, and pull hard. Like you wish I could cruise at 70-75mph.

I had a 95 gasser F150, got 8mpg in town and 10mpg on the highway. I don’t miss it a bit.

Big Bart said:

Brian,

I am sure your diesel truck will grow on you. These are like tug boats vs ski boats. They are slow, steady, and pull hard. Like you wish I could cruise at 70-75mph.

I had a 95 gasser F150, got 8mpg in town and 10mpg on the highway. I don’t miss it a bit.

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Sounds like yours had troubles being that bad. Or was it a C6 still with a big block V8? I had a 99 F150 4.6L with E4OD I'm guessing, and it did much better, 18'ish hwy but that was the updated, more computerized engine. It was RWD, not 4WD. But it was an extended cab. The 97 E150 with the same engine got a couple mpg less but that makes sense, it was heavier due to more body and more seats inside.

Dude, beautiful truck, if you have a heart change you should get good bucks for it. Better speed and mileage would be change to an E4OD built right. Worth the bucks, especially if you have 4.10's like i do!

And ditto on the timing, a must, not an option if you want best mileage and starting. Follow IDI tech articles.

Cubey said:

Sounds like yours had troubles being that bad. Or was it a C6 still with a big block V8? I had a 99 F150 4.6L with E4OD I'm guessing, and it did much better, 18'ish hwy but that was the updated, more computerized engine. It was RWD, not 4WD. But it was an extended cab. The 97 E150 with the same engine got a couple mpg less but that makes sense, it was heavier due to more body and more seats inside.

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It ran good but it was on 31” tires, 4x4, long bed, extended cab, E40D, and had the 5.8l. It just drank gas fast!