If I dont plug it in around the 32-38 temps its ROUGH for 10-20 sec depending on how cold then "lopes" sounds like a blown big block with a massave cam then is idles low and will kick to high idle. When I plug it in it goes to low idle then high. What do I need to check or replace or fix?

 

Which oil are you using?

 

15-40 its due for a change and Im going to syenthetic, but i dont want to mask a problem with lighter weight oil and spend more loot later?

 

15/40 Rotella or something else. Switching to synthetics in the winter is a good idea as I use it all year long.

 

Valvoline blue

 

Yup, my 03 wants to act real sluggish if I don't plug her in too.

When you do plug her in and start, it should start normally and then step up to the high idle mode. That's pretty normal. You'll notice that after that first start in the morning, she won't go back into the high idle mode again until tomorrow's start.

Joe

 

Has your truck every been re-flashed from Ford with a newer strategy?

If not, my friend, you will benefit from the most current flash from FORD!

I have an 05 that did the same thing, and now have been recalibrated to the new strategy with Inductive Heat Flashing. Improved starting, smoother Idle and more power.

Here's the most current engine Strategy I recieved from FORD: VXCF7D3

Cost me $125 but WELL worth it! Somethign to look into if you haven't had this done...

 

as a side note...to get this done, I just called up the local dealer service dept and told them I wanted my computer updated to the newest calibrations since it was starting rough. I told them not to diagnosis it, just reflash to thier most current calibrations.

 

How do you know what update you have?

 

I have an SCT tuner and used it to read my strategy once I left the dealer.

One way to identify if you have inductive heat flashing is to put your truck in park rev it up and watch the RPMs drop. If the needle falls fast it doesn't have inductive heat strategy. If it falls slowly/gradually it's got it.

Unless you've had it flashed in the past few years, my guess is you don't have it. With the new flash and synthetic oil I'm using my truck starts and runs better than it's ever ran. BTW, I just got the updated flash 2 days ago.

 

Wonder if it would be on oasis? Ive only owned it for 6mo? When was new flash avalible? I will check the rpm this am. Thanks

 

you recieved 2 good pieces of advice above. latest flash & change to synthetic oil. either rotella 5w40 or valvoline premium blue. the premium blue is on sale at napa for 17.99 per gal all of october,so todays the last day to save some money.

 

It may be on the oasis report. However, I would just make an appt and drop it off and let them hook it up and do thier thing. If's its got the latest flash, should be no charge. I dropped mine off and got my truck back 3 hrs later.

 

I just switched to rotella synthetic, and it helped my morning starts alot it will actually get out of its own way now haha.