So, drove the EX 14 hours to Orlando last night. It ran beautifully and I was averaging 15.8 mpg at 75-77 mph down I75 through KY and TN. After filling up just north of Atlanta the truck felt a little sluggish and fuel economy slowly started to drop. When we stopped for lunch (resort room not ready until 1), it wanted to surge at stop lights. After lunch we had a five mile drive to the condo and it kept up the surging when stopped and idling. Unloaded our gear and I hooked up the SCT to check for codes, nothing there. Hooked up torque pro and no codes shown there either.

I took the EX for drive after switching tunes and watched FICM and ICP (psi not voltage) along with IPR. FICM stayed steady at 48.5, 13 and 13. ICP at idle was 650+\-20 and IPR was between 18% and 20%. The surge would bump idle rpm around 100rpm. I'm sure the falling mpg and the surge are related. Someone give me something to look for before I freak out! Everything I've read of these symptoms point to ICP, it is a new Ford part after code P2285, very small amount of oil in plug. Is it the wiring?

Is it possible the tune had an issue that didn't show previous to the fill up? I'm guessing no, but I filled again after that stop to top off when my brother had to get gas, hold my hand and tell me it will be okay!

 

Could be poor quality fuel. Take sensor readings with factory program. So unload the programmer and diag. purposes because the IPR is too low for idle. It had a 7.3 one time with a bad EOT sensor pigtail. It would randomly loose connection and the ECM would be the oil temp go from 180 to -40 and back and would surge in the mean time. Watch ECT EOT and I would clean the IAT2 and EGR valve if new fuel does not clear it up.

 

Thanks for the reply. IPR just before shutdown was 22.4% and ICP was 648.1psi. EOT 196.1 and ECT 190.4. EGR is deleted.

 

I would also drain your water seperator and catch it in a pan and see if there is water.

 

I'd have to agree with the poor fuel senario.
If your handy, burn it off, grab a set of fuel filters and swap them out.
I'm sure someone will chime in with the ICP/IPR numbers

 

Yea your IPR should be 22-24 at idle.

try removing the tune yet?

Enjoy your vacation & dont get skeered yet.....there's a few of us in Fl that can rescue you if necessary!

 

Posted actual IPR numbers from Torque Pro above, didn't realize it saves it if you don't exit the program. I removed the Street tune and loaded another, no surge but the engine had cooled completely before I was able to run it again.

Unfortunately don't have a 32mm socket with me to replace HFCM filter.

 

How long you down here? So does it seem to run normal now?

 

I'll be leaving Friday night. It was good on the beer run, will find out more tomorrow. Half hour drive for golf.

 

Quick update, ran well this morning, no surging. On the way back from the course it surged twice while sitting at a stop light. ICP and IPR didn't really change. IPR was sitting at 20.4 sitting and the light, ICP stayed between 620 and 600

 

Those ICP numbers are high for a warmed up engine at idle. Mine rides at 585 or so.

 

I thought the 2003's hovered around 620?

 

Copsey...do you have a fuel pressure gauge? Do you use Motorcraft fuel/oil filters?

You may want to start a thread titled "need help in Orlando". I think I will be in Lakeland friday night (about and hour away from Orlando) but you may be wanting to leave before I get there.

 

Good point I didn't see his was an 03

 

ICP still the same. Mine's at 585 hot idle.