So the service engine light has been coming on in my truck for a while. I was told a while ago that it was the EGR valve and passages. A buddy of mine cleaned out the EGR valve, but said that the passages on these are notorious for plugging up. Another buddy with the same truck had the same issue and it was a $3500 deal. The truck started to sputter a bit today so it looks like I need to do something. 
Anybody know about this issue or know a GOOD deisel mechanic near La Verne?

Frank

Watch that truck! if it starts puking coolant out of the overflow be wary, but if you notice a white haze out of the tail pipe STOP DRIVING IT ASAP!! the EGR cooler has cracked and is dumping coolant into the exhaust and it will turn that motor into a giant paperweight quickly. Do some research on CA's emissions nazi's and see how they're taking to the EGR cooler delete.. absolute best mod to do on any 6.0

ask alamo jimmy about this one. lol. he just repalced his egr stuff.

So far everyone is on with what they are saying but not 100%.  Your EGR is plugging up because of the shitty diesel we have to use and the fact that the 6.0 Diesels are so temperamental.  My old roommate is a Ford mechanic and has had my truck on the rack quite a few times for the white smoke and EGR. There is a solution. Nice thing s it only costs about 8 dollars. You have to use ford diesel injector additive every tank or at least every other tank.  When I went in for my EGR/white smoke he cleaned the hell out of the EGR and told me to start running the additive. He also checked the heads and the EGR coolant system and it was fine. I have straight exhaust and no cat.  The reason for the white smoke, mostly at idle, was un burnt diesel/fumes that the cat would normally catch. Well ran the additive and the EGR and white smoke went away. I stopped running the additive and within a week the white smoke was back and within the next few months the EGR was blocking up. Cleaned out the EGR myself this run the additive religiously and haven’t had an issue yet. Has to be Ford’s brand though. When I took it in the first time I was running Lucas additive and still had EGR blockage. So try this. Take out your EGR (two bolts) clean it with fords EGR cleaner. Be careful stuff will eat your skin. Then run their additive every tank or every other tank. It is 32oz and you only need four ounces a tank. So for $8 dollars you get 8 fill ups. If you have stock exhaust I would have the white smoke thing looked at. Good luck. On another note, using oil other than Fords Motocraft oil will cause you injectors to clog and go out faster. I know it sounds crazy but from his experience with motorcraft oil there are a lot less injector issues. This is due to the fact that the injectors are lubricated by the motor oil. LOL If you have any other questions please let me know he is a phone call away. I have 58k on mine and have no issues since he last worked on it.

Update -  So after letting the truck sit for many months due to finances I finally had to suck it up and have it repaired. A mechanic friend tested it and ran the codes and came back with about 9 of them . Being as they are general mechanics and not diesel guys they sent me to a local guy I had also heard about. This guy got the same codes and quoted me $3700 - $4000.
So I got in contact with Chris (Filterbiz) over at Trans West Ford. Sent him the itemized quote and he did not blink. He not only got me in and out in 3 days, but for only $2200 including towing it right from my driveway while I was at work.
 Turns out that the 2 injectors that needed "replacing" actually had a bad electrical connection and were just fine after repairing the connection. That alone saved about $750. Not sure if the other guys new that or would have told me about it, but Chris did.

Thanks again Chris for all the help. I owe you big!

Frank

thanks Frank! glad you back up and running.

To everyone else if you need help, just call even if you dont bring it in i will gladly lead you in the right direction. Just let me know, the doors are always open. and of course the scjb discount.

Chris

Not to dredge this one back up, but while doing the EGR cooler - save your self the time and hassle, and do an oil cooler else you'll probabaly be tearing it back apart. They come with a new revised stainless screen, versus the old fabric one - which will be torn when you pull it out, allow debris directly into your HPOP.. I wish i'da taken pictures of the oil cooler - but i cut the thing in half and all of the small passeges were plugged with crap, and there was a solid 1/32" layer of gunk sitting in the bottom of this thing.. looked like a combonation of sludge and silica sand.

Crewchief - I understand quoting the worst case. I stated in my post that I was unsure if he even new or would have. Not slamming the guy, just saying Chris did a great job and saved me tons of cash.  

Nathan - As for the oil cooler they did replace that too. I had done some research and had learned about that as well. But the guys at the shop were all over it because they obviously new about the flaws in them as well.

Thanks for all the input.  

Frank

my 08 is there now IMO Customer Service is the best over there i will never take my truck anywhere  else                       Chris with transwest is  

Ray, the white smoke and hesitation is how mine started. Take that thing in and have it checked. Everything I have heard and read shows these issues causing serious damage and big $$$. Besides you are going to need all that cash for the Shrimper!

Frank