Low ECT Causing Poor Performance?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cox"s Creek, KY
Low ECT Causing Poor Performance?
This is the first winter that I have had my rig. The truck was down for several months in the fall while I rebuild the turbo for a turbine seal oil leak(Thanks BenchWrench for the tutorial), so I never had a chance to see the drop in operating temperature as it got colder. After get it back on the road mid-December, it seemed to be very sluggish and the ECT never got above 160*. After sliding a sheet of cardboard between the radiator and the condenser, it finally got up to about 175* and seemed to run better. Does this ECM have a open/closed looped profile like gassers? I thought I did something wrong with the turbo rebuild but it seems to be an ECT-related problem. BTW, the poor performance was that the engine would stop building RPM around 2500 RPM and just hang there until I let off the throttle on acceleration.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
You May have a Small Boost Leak these turbo can be a PIA to seal sometimes or a CAC Boot Seal issue
Yes Running that Cold will Cause Problems LOTS if let go long enough But your Issue Not being able to go Over 2500rpm is more then Just running Cold ECT
Turbo is High up on List of possible causes
Start up Truck Cold and then Feel around ALL Exhaust Joints FAST AT Idle some guys will even hang a string on stick to see if it Blows around at the Joints
Poor MPG and will Clog all Sensors up and gum up EGR Valve Also wont Combust properly You Need a thermostat Get one from FORD they seem to last better All the Aftermarkeyt ones usually only make 1 Summer then Run cold that next winter
Need to Make sure its Not a Bad Sensor by compare ECT & EOT & TFT after 12 hour cold soak compare those temps upon STartup they should be SAME or within 1-2*f
You mention turbo was Off so What PSI BOOST do you see WOT
Would Also be a Good Idea to Clean EGR Valve and MAP Sensor/tube
Did truck have Plenty Power before you rebuild Turbo?? Just suffered smoke???
Yes Running that Cold will Cause Problems LOTS if let go long enough But your Issue Not being able to go Over 2500rpm is more then Just running Cold ECT
Turbo is High up on List of possible causes
Start up Truck Cold and then Feel around ALL Exhaust Joints FAST AT Idle some guys will even hang a string on stick to see if it Blows around at the Joints
Poor MPG and will Clog all Sensors up and gum up EGR Valve Also wont Combust properly You Need a thermostat Get one from FORD they seem to last better All the Aftermarkeyt ones usually only make 1 Summer then Run cold that next winter
Need to Make sure its Not a Bad Sensor by compare ECT & EOT & TFT after 12 hour cold soak compare those temps upon STartup they should be SAME or within 1-2*f
You mention turbo was Off so What PSI BOOST do you see WOT
Would Also be a Good Idea to Clean EGR Valve and MAP Sensor/tube
Did truck have Plenty Power before you rebuild Turbo?? Just suffered smoke???
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cox"s Creek, KY
Everything seem good on the turbo connections and wiring. It just seems that it comes alive once it hits about 180F. It may be slightly off subject, but the upper radiator hose is always soft, even after the engine get fairly warm. Besides pulling the thermostat, is there any way to tell if the thermostat is hung open or is the soft upper hose just the way it is?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 4
From: Denver, NC
A new Stat is just good Insurance as truck is designed to running appx 190 ECT
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cox"s Creek, KY
What I probably should have said it that the hose doesn't feel like there is any pressure in it like all the gassers I've worked on. Back in the day, the way to tell if the thermostat was open or closed was to squeeze the upper radiator hose. This rig stays soft at all times, hot or cold. Since I'm the newest owner, I should assume that the thermostat is old. Cheap insurance is right.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Cox"s Creek, KY
Update: I replaced the thermostat about a month ago and the engine coming up to temperature 190F after idling only about 10 minutes even in 10F. Runs as strong as I have every felt it. The exhaust backpressure sensor on this year turns a 5 minute job into a 30+ minute job.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
Update: I replaced the thermostat about a month ago and the engine coming up to temperature 190F after idling only about 10 minutes even in 10F. Runs as strong as I have every felt it. The exhaust backpressure sensor on this year turns a 5 minute job into a 30+ minute job.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Update: I replaced the thermostat about a month ago and the engine coming up to temperature 190F after idling only about 10 minutes even in 10F. Runs as strong as I have every felt it. The exhaust backpressure sensor on this year turns a 5 minute job into a 30+ minute job.
SO your saying that with a Cold truck you can Start it up and in ONLY 10 minutes the ECT will be at 190*f
IDK if my truck will heat up that fast in July with 90*-100*+ ambient temps
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
I can see that in 10 minutes. @ 45ºF but at 10ºF it would take longer
and high idle would help. When it cold out I only sit and idle till I reach 75º~100º
running on high idle. But that is only a few minutes.
Sean
and high idle would help. When it cold out I only sit and idle till I reach 75º~100º
running on high idle. But that is only a few minutes.
Sean
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Spooky
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Dec 2, 2004 01:44 AM