Turbo surging
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Wisconsin
Turbo surging
I was wondering if any one has had the same turbo problems that I'm having?
When running in cruze only at 55-60mph the turbo will surge from 2-12 psi up and down repeatedly. It somtimes will level out for a couple seconds and then continues to do it. I had it to the dealer and the service manager drove it and said it seems like it's searching for something, but since there was nothing from ford about it he couldn't do anything about it. There was an update for a prior serial number but my truck has the current software. What kind of damage is this going to do. It sucks because alot of my driving is at this speed. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don.
When running in cruze only at 55-60mph the turbo will surge from 2-12 psi up and down repeatedly. It somtimes will level out for a couple seconds and then continues to do it. I had it to the dealer and the service manager drove it and said it seems like it's searching for something, but since there was nothing from ford about it he couldn't do anything about it. There was an update for a prior serial number but my truck has the current software. What kind of damage is this going to do. It sucks because alot of my driving is at this speed. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Don.
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Its a known "issue" Ford says it is normal. It's not surging though. It's just the truck adjusting up and down in throttle too much around that speed. Mine does it and has since day one. Only does it under certain conditions. Mostly on a very slight incline with cruise on. It doesn't do it towing. It would be nice if they had a way to fix the trucks that did this though, it's my only complaint about my truck but I've just learned to live with it.
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Freshman User
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From: Wisconsin
Surge
Well mine seems to only do it when it's on the flat with no hills. When it is going up a hill it is understandable that the turbo should put more boost out. But, mine is doing it on the flat and seems to be getting worse. It can't be normal, because they had a program update for trucks made before mine just for that reason. Thanks.
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By incline I mean I'm talking about a 250 foot rise in 8 miles. From my town to the city that is the elevation change and that is where mine will do it like clock work.
Let me know what your dealer says because two dealers both say mine is a normal characteristic and so did the Ford hot line they won't attempt a repair on it.
Personally I'd think a tuning change to how the cruise reacts would help but it has to be a mechanical difference between some trucks and others. I have heard of some guys getting turbos replaced with no change as well. Some have even gotten worse with the change.
Google turbo surge with cruise or something like that, you will find a bunch of threads with people complaining about it.
Let me know what your dealer says because two dealers both say mine is a normal characteristic and so did the Ford hot line they won't attempt a repair on it.
Personally I'd think a tuning change to how the cruise reacts would help but it has to be a mechanical difference between some trucks and others. I have heard of some guys getting turbos replaced with no change as well. Some have even gotten worse with the change.
Google turbo surge with cruise or something like that, you will find a bunch of threads with people complaining about it.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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My 2012 is doing the same thing. It's been in with two reflashes done and still have the issue. It's going back in on Thursday. This is getting old! I called Ford to open up a case # on this.
The local dealer has been great. Even giving me a truck as a loaner!
The local dealer has been great. Even giving me a truck as a loaner!
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Junior User
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I am getting tired of this. This truck has been in the shop more then my 6.0 ever was! I'm getting close to wanting my old truck back as crazy as that sounds.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 285
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From: Jackson,WY
That surging is really annoying. My 2011 did it all the time on cruise control. It was the worst when driving with a head wind coming at a angle on the front passenger side headlight. That combination of cruise and head wind at a angle would cause boost swings from 0-15 psi. Once started it would continue to do so as long as I would let it. Speed driven ranged from 60-70 mph. If I put on a "cold air intake" the truck would buck, surge so bad it was un-drive able. Just what I found, so.... if a person had a intake maybe put the stock one on to see if that helps.
So as a result cruise was pretty much wrote off as useless. Had to drive almost everywhere with out cruise on.
It went in for the NOX sensor recall, most likely for flashed while there and the "surging" was quite a bit better. Not gone but lots better.
So far my '15 has never offered to do this, thank goodness.
So as a result cruise was pretty much wrote off as useless. Had to drive almost everywhere with out cruise on.
It went in for the NOX sensor recall, most likely for flashed while there and the "surging" was quite a bit better. Not gone but lots better.
So far my '15 has never offered to do this, thank goodness.
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My truck went in on Tuesday for a data logger to be installed. By the time I got home I had the unit full of recordings of when the truck surged. The truck went back in on Thursday to have the unit removed and downloaded. The techs saw what goes on while I am driving the truck. Basically it showed something telling the computer its at 100% load and needed boost. The recordings were taken while driving on a flat road about 65 mph. They are sending the info to the Ford engineers. Hopefully they can correct this issue or its time for me to switch from Ford. I have been for loyal my entire life. Maybe it time for a change if Ford can't make this right!
Junior User
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I got the "this is a normal charactoristic of this engine because of a combination of stackups" response. I think this is poor response. This isn't normal to me. They need to find a fix. I am not sure what I am going to do next.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
I had the same problem on my '12.
It took several months of trial and error to finally get it resolved. My problem finally was escalated enough times that it finally got resolved.
I had the exact same symptoms. Usually worse when engine was cool, but not always. Always would repeat if I set cruise at 70 and backed of on cruise control by two clicks.
To make a long story short pretty much most of the air delivery system was replace including turbo and all components as well as the maf. The ecm was flashed a couple of times as well.
I had to do the data logger too. Once that info was sent in, the turbo was replaced and every single thing that could be flashed with the latest updates was...including the tranny.
So far I have about 500 mi on the changes with out issue. Any of the other attempts, it was surging on the way home from the dealer.
The explanation I received was that the ecm was always chasing the sensors on the turbo at certain load variables. When they replaced the turbo it was explained to me the turbo that was put in had tighter tolerances than the one replaced. Not sure I believe the tolerance comment but I am getting slightly better boost and the sound is different.
It took several months of trial and error to finally get it resolved. My problem finally was escalated enough times that it finally got resolved.
I had the exact same symptoms. Usually worse when engine was cool, but not always. Always would repeat if I set cruise at 70 and backed of on cruise control by two clicks.
To make a long story short pretty much most of the air delivery system was replace including turbo and all components as well as the maf. The ecm was flashed a couple of times as well.
I had to do the data logger too. Once that info was sent in, the turbo was replaced and every single thing that could be flashed with the latest updates was...including the tranny.
So far I have about 500 mi on the changes with out issue. Any of the other attempts, it was surging on the way home from the dealer.
The explanation I received was that the ecm was always chasing the sensors on the turbo at certain load variables. When they replaced the turbo it was explained to me the turbo that was put in had tighter tolerances than the one replaced. Not sure I believe the tolerance comment but I am getting slightly better boost and the sound is different.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
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I had the same problem on my '12.
It took several months of trial and error to finally get it resolved. My problem finally was escalated enough times that it finally got resolved.
I had the exact same symptoms. Usually worse when engine was cool, but not always. Always would repeat if I set cruise at 70 and backed of on cruise control by two clicks.
To make a long story short pretty much most of the air delivery system was replace including turbo and all components as well as the maf. The ecm was flashed a couple of times as well.
I had to do the data logger too. Once that info was sent in, the turbo was replaced and every single thing that could be flashed with the latest updates was...including the tranny.
So far I have about 500 mi on the changes with out issue. Any of the other attempts, it was surging on the way home from the dealer.
It took several months of trial and error to finally get it resolved. My problem finally was escalated enough times that it finally got resolved.
I had the exact same symptoms. Usually worse when engine was cool, but not always. Always would repeat if I set cruise at 70 and backed of on cruise control by two clicks.
To make a long story short pretty much most of the air delivery system was replace including turbo and all components as well as the maf. The ecm was flashed a couple of times as well.
I had to do the data logger too. Once that info was sent in, the turbo was replaced and every single thing that could be flashed with the latest updates was...including the tranny.
So far I have about 500 mi on the changes with out issue. Any of the other attempts, it was surging on the way home from the dealer.
Interesting... Can you PM me any info I could give my dealer on your truck/case? I talked to a local diesel performance shop and thats kind of the path he suggested. As simple as it sounds he said to change the air filters. So I am getting one today.