After reading many others post of truck problems, I guess it is my turn. Left work last night (it was in the mid 40's, however I still had plugged the truck in for about two hours) and it felt and sounded like something was not right. Now it was subtle, and sometimes from being tired I guess, I think I hear or feel a problem with the truck that really isn't there. However, this was real as I stopped at a traffic light and when I pulled out, the truck was bucking and shaking and obviously not running right. It became apparent that the situation was becoming worse. I continued to limp it home the last few miles.

I did not notice any loss of power, even at the small amounts of throttle I was giving her she took off from a stop fine, other than the violent bucking and shaking. I used the headlights of a car behind me to observe the stacks in the rear view and did not see any smoke. Temps got higher than normal, hit 190 EOT and 183 ECT. Quickly dropped back to the mid 170's which is typically what I see and then rose to the low 180's.

Since it was late and dark, I didn't check under the hood. Of course it is rainy and foggy this morning so I'm waiting until it gets a little more light out to go check things out. Expecting the worse, hoping for the best. I've been researching forums, documents, and parts to do studs but was planning on waiting until spring and some warmer weather. Maybe not anymore!

 

Hate to hear of your problems. Here is a link to the "low power" thread in the tech folder. I know you said power wasn't down but issues at common with what you describe.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...condition.html

You really can't do a whole lot without a OBDII monitor of some type. Check #9 specifically, your temps are low and if it's been that way for a while incomplete combustion could have your EGR valve gummed up (amongst other things).

 

An injector maybe? Ficm fail maybe?

 

1st thing would be a new t-stat to get the ect's in the 190's. He's running way too cold.

 

Took a look at her, nothing obvious, no leaks, fluids look good, etc. Drained the HFCM. Took out the EGR valve, caked full of crap, but dry. Used my cheapo Craftsman code reader. Don't think it works worth a crap. KOEO nothing. KOER gave me a bunch of codes for the cruise control. Ran another KOER and nothing. Truck still runs like a$$.

So T-stat stuck open?

Oil changed 1000 miles ago w/ Motorcraft filter, Rotella T6, and Archoil. Fuel filters changed 2000 miles ago, both Motorcraft. Run Diesel Kleen in every tank.

 

Repaired FICM a year ago. Voltage is always 48 - 49. But of course, always something to look for. Injector a possibility. I was looking at some Warren 155's. Just wanted to wait until I was ready and had everything available to do the build in the spring.

 

Yup, time for a stat. Quick n easy tho. Pull hose of radiator an bolts from housing. Pull the thermostat housing and upper hose together. Line up arrow on hose (or mark it yourself if no arrow) with line cast on thermostat housing and you can tighten clamp before putting it back in truck. No need to remove anything except draining a gallon and a half or so of coolant.

That doesn't really explain running issues. I'd try cleaning iat2 sensor, and map/EBP hoses as a shot in the dark. Cleaning up that EGR valve may help also.

Here's a pic of the arrow and housing mark that makes the swap so easy:

 

A guess is some the sensors that control the turbo are plugged from running to cold

you must hit that 188*-190* range minimum

My thermostat ran as cold as yours once and I picked up a few MPG per tank after it was fixed

 

So it is still running like a 7.3 today? And no smoke of any kind? You are going to Need a ford specific scanner to see if any cylinder contribution codes pop up. Also how many miles on this beast? One injector down will make the truck run like a suped up 7.3. Which is a turd compared to these.

 

The only time I've hit temps like that is when it's 90+ degrees out in the summer (and last night). So I'll get the t-stat swapped out.

Better fuel mileage is always a good thing. Hitting 16.5mpg on my lie-o-meter (which on my truck is surprisingly accurate).

 

I didn't attempt to drive it but ran it and blipped the throttle a few times. Can hear it sputtering and the whole truck shakes until it comes back down to idle. Light amount of smoke on one of the throttle hits. It has 118,000 miles, all stock except for the exhaust that I just recently put on. Oh, and my 7.3 ran great!

 

All stock meaning no tuner?

Did you clean the EGR valve?

Do you have a ScanGauge2? I can give you the missfire X-codes, although they have not been proven...ie no one that I have heard picked up any missfires.


I ran at cold temps for a while, 175 ECT with no ill effects.
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What color smoke?

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That is exactly how it will run with bad injector/ injectors.

 

No tuner.

Yes, cleaned EGR.

No Scangauge. Use Torque Pro and have a Craftsman CanOBD scanner. Torque Pro does have a gauge for misfires. Never used it.