The BioBeast is fixed! Turns out the oil reservoir that feeds the high-pressure oil pump that actuates the diesel injectors (connected to the knee bone) was leaking. Over the course of 700 miles, 8 of a total of 15 quarts of oil leaked out (ouch). Eventually, there wasn’t enough oil in the system for the high pressure pump to generate the needed 500psi to actuate the injectors — so the engine just quit. A fixed reservoir, a new pressure sensor, a flush and a rinse (no lather or repeat, please) and all is back to normal.
I’m sick to my stomach. I just heard back from Jay’s Garage that the BioBeast was 8 quarts low on oil (it takes 15). So, either eight quarts leaked/burned on our road trip, or the nameless Oil Can place where I got the oil changed last week before our trip totally effed up and left out half the oil. Jay’s is currently looking for evidence of leaking or burning oil to answer that question.
Either way, that explains the loss of power. The diesel injectors in the ‘98 PowerStroke are actuated by oil pressure. With the oil level so low, there wasn’t enough pressure to inject diesel into the cylinders. I can only hope that other permanent damage wasn’t done. I’ll hear more from Jay’s in the morning.
Timing is Everything (or: Crap, the BioBeast Died)
On the way to work this morning, the biobeast died. I hadn’t driven two blocks when it lost 50% power for a few seconds, then died. Cabbed it to work, called the tow truck from the cab. Currently waiting to hear the damage report from Jay’s Garage. Hoping it’s something simple, like a fuel pump. A fuel problem would make sense - it developed a fuel leak while we were on vacation. Didn’t think it was critical. :-\
Speaking of, I’m really, super duper glad this didn’t happen while we were on our California road trip (we just got back yesterday). Would have been a huge bummer to be stuck by the side of the road with the whole family.
Timing. It’s everything.
