My truck is surging bad at idle and higher speeds; I'm lost

I'm not sure what's going on, but the full explanation is long so I'll try to outline a summary which started 3 weeks ago


- HPOP started hemorrhaging oil
- Thanks to people on this website and Guzzels, Problem solved
- Because I changed the "non-serviceable" plug I also removed the Fuel Bowl
- No leaks from HPOP and I no longer smell diesel under the hood
- Putting it back together, I noticed I had cracked the ICP sensor (in half).
* still can't figure that one out
- My wallet got the better of me and I ordered the sensor off ebay by part #
- When I got it threads didn't match but it included a note and thread adapter that's about an inch long (which made it a real pain to put on)
- Installed it and it ran fine for a day. The second day I blew an o-ring between the thread adapter and sensor (Service Light comes on)
- Fixed that issue and tried to clean out the oil spray that had gone everywhere
- Major issues really start

On my way to work, after driving about 25 miles, at 60 mph I slow down to about 50 and . . . craziness. All of sudden, the truck feels like an anchor was thrown out the back - it felt like I had down shifted into 1st gear. Also the throttle became super sensitive: a speck of dust on the pedal made it jump 500 RPM. I came to stop at a redlight and while idling it just kept surging and the Service light came on. I made it to work and drove it a mile or so during lunch. No issue, no service light. Heading home and again after about 25 miles things go crazy. Power and RPM just drop, Service light comes on, then truck starts accelerating, then between 45 and 50 mph truck starts bucking (feels like a surge of fuel then nothing then fuel then nothing), then tach goes to 0. I can't pull over (on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge) put it in neutral and restart.

Could the "thread adapter" be screwing up ICP sensor readings?

Could the ICP or IPR cause these kinds of issues?

Nope, don't have a code reader but will be looking into that tomorrow

Any help or ideas at all would be appreciated

By the way, this is my first time posting anything, so forgive me if I messed up some protocol. But I would like to thank those who post information, y'all have been a huge help.

- 2001 F250 7.3L

 

the icp could be the problem if it goes out it will make it run bad. you may need to get a good icp. the codes would help.

 

Thanks for the really fast reply and info. I'll put up the codes as soon as I can get them. Any other help appreciated.

 

If the ICP wasn't made for our trucks, then that would be the best place to start I would think. I've never heard of having to use and adaptor. Also, be sure you have enough oil in the engine after the blow out. And yes, the ICP or IPR can cause the issues you are having. Also, make sure the IPR nut hasn't come off and the plugs are all in place and secure.

 

Oh and by the way, welcome to the site and hang around. Riffraff and Diesel Orings, both have the correct ICP and will ship them out as fast as possible, links to both are in my Sig.

 

I just noticed, you have 2 post and a supporter badge! AWESOME!

 

Thanks for the welcome and info. With what I learned about the HPOP leak by just searching around - I had to become a supporter. This morning I disconnected the ICP sensor and truck is running better. Obviously not running great, but its not slamming me around the cab or stalling. When I disconnected it, the rubber boot on the connector just fell off and was dirty (no oil on the sensor side). I'd like to make sure the connector isn't screwed up, is there a way to test it? I don't want to put in a new sensor (with proper threads) and still have a bad connector. But I'm also trying not to just throw $$ at it.

- Thanks again

 

Riffraff Diesel: Motorcraft ICP Sensor

X2

 

If the connector isn't broken and the wires are still looking good, the it is probably ok. You should see if the clip is not holding good. I'm really not sure what you would have on there now. I've never heard of having to use the adaptor. Do you have the ebay link? Might be able to answer your question more.
Oh yeah, That guy above me is pretty awesome himself. He will have it out to you before the end of the day if you let him know. He's bailed me out more than once.

 

IF it's this one 94-03 FORD DIESEL 7.3 L ICP 7.3L ICP SENSOR - eBay (item 310293634768 end time Mar-06-11 16:34:03 PST), it's an old style, 94-96 model that has the adaptor. Might be the same, but I would worry about the added space in the adaptor and air being in there and messing up the pressure it is reading. Looks to me like it would need to be in the oil rail with no air space.

 

That is not the ACTUAL listing, but that's what I got. What I bought was listed as part # F6TZ9F838A, was listed for 97-03's, and was not shown with an adapter. It came with a note saying my year truck may require a thread adapter. I knew Ford had changed the sensor, so I believed it. (Silly Me) Apparently "someone" is selling the parts as interchangeable. Good point about the air - I didn't even think of that!!! I just talked to an engineer who deals with pressurized fluids all day and he thinks it could be causing bad pressure readings.
I will certainly be visiting Riffraf's site as soon as I can
I'm also going to try to contact the seller to find out if that what he did.
Thanks for all the help, I'll post the outcome.

 

I would contact the seller and tell him he did not list it correctly and you want a refund. If he values his feedback, he should refund you. That's the first time I've seen that and it looks like others might be doing the same thing. Probalby just figured out a way to market the older ICPs.

 

Seller doesn't appear very willing to refund my $$- what a shock - its gonna get fun I guess. After looking closer, ZX250 you might have a pretty valid point regarding the air. It visually looks like the sensor is now located on a higher level than the top of the oil rail. Also, if I unscrew only the sensor leaving just the adapter its clear that the oil level doesn't naturally sit that high. Not sure what happens under pressure though. Just trying to let folks know to be very wary.

 

I've got an old one around here somewhere I could find and send. I changed it out with the IPR a couple years back. May not be any good, but might be better than what you got. PM your addy if you want it. If unplugging it makes it run better, that really makes me believe that's you problem even more.
As far as the seller, you can always take it to Ebay or paypal or both.

 

I found what I believe is an International P/N on the sensor 1835923 C9223520. It doesn't appear to match up with any Ford #.