Howdy all,

I am having an issue with my (new to me) '03 F250 Super Duty [7.3 Liter Diesel, 4-speed automatic, 4x2, Crew Cab, 117k miles]. I have had it for roughly a month and put just over 2,000 miles on it [no towing yet]. After driving it from southern Alabama to northwest South Carolina and back again, it developed a bad shudder seemingly overnight.

I noticed when I started the engine [the first day it began shuddering] that it immediately revved up to over 1,000 RPM [with no input from me on the accelerator] then settled around 750 to idle [it had never done this before and doesn't seem like something that would be normal]. Under any acceleration the engine is at a lack of power and the whole truck shakes- the shaking becomes more violent the harder the accelerator is pressed.
Shifting between gears is taking higher-than-usual speeds and RPMs and is a bit rougher than usual as well.
Cruising at speed alleviates some of the shudder, but even slight adjustments to maintain speed when going up a gentle incline causing it to shudder significantly and I cannot maintain speed [pretty important as most of the roads around here are at 55 mph speed limits].

So far the fuel consumption appears to be unaffected [~18.5 in the city and ~23 on the highway].


I'd appreciate any information the community can provide me. I have a feeling that I will be taking it to a shop soon to have it looked over, and it'd be nice to have an idea of what the problems might be so I can avoid paying for any unnecessary fixes.

BURNSTOUGHFORD had a similar problem with his F-150 and posted it here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...elerating.html

If you need any further information about the vehicle to help you help me, just ask.


Edit: Just drove a mile to demonstrate the issue to someone and after half a mile, the low-fuel light came on, the warning buzzer buzzed, and when I looked down the fuel gauge went from ~7/8 to below empty.



Kaw-Liga.

 

Took it to the shop today and they reported back that it seemed to be the fuel-sender (hopefully that'll be the end of it). Before I took it in, I started it to see if the fuel gauge was still wonky; it started right up and the fuel gauge returned to where it had been (~7/8).



Kaw-Liga.