I bought a 03 6.0 powerstroke last week with 150k miles. Ran strong for two days, the 2nd day it died on me 4 times but would fire right back up. I pulled over on the 4th time it died and popped the hood. the air box was disconnected, i connected it back up and it ran strong. The 3rd day it cranked but was ideling rough, driving down the road it didnt have any power, and would spit black smoke. Check engine light is not on. Parked it and on the 4th day I drove it again, and it ran good and strong for about 30 mins and it started ideling rough, loss of power, and spitting black smoke.

Check engine light is still not on, so i cant get any readings. What are some things i can check before I take it to a mechanic. I am hoping it is not the high pressue oil pump, but im not holding my breath. Could it be bad diesel? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

The air intake shouldn't have really made a difference. Sounds like a small high pressure oil leak is developing. I would pull the IPR and inspect it, see what the screen looks like. A lot of times the ICP goes bad on the early trucks, the sensor and the pigtail should be replaced.

Really the best way to determine what is going on is to get it on a good scanner and monitor ICP actual, ICP desired, and IPR % duty.

 

I am not truck savy, where is the IPR and is it easily removed, and what about the ICP. Thanks MDub

 

On your 03 they're both behind the turbo. You'll have to undo the coolant reservoir on the drivers side, push it out of the way, the FICM is on the valve cover there, take that off. Then you can reach back and find the IPR and ICP back there on the back of the motor. The IPR requires a special socket, or make one. It's basically a regular socket, but has a slot cut in it to go over the electrical connector.

You should be able to find the location of most of these parts in the coffee table books here: DTS Articles - Coffee Table Books