Disappointed
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New User
Joined: May 2003
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Disappointed
I posted a while ago asking if I would have any trouble pulling a 9000 pound camper through the rockies. Most of you said I would be fine. Well I didn't do so well and would llike to see what you all have to say about the problem.
Going up the big hills I would get a high pitch wine and the motor would rev up and down ( couldn't see it on the tach but you could hear it) I would continue to loose power to the point I was wondering if I would make up the hill at times. It didn't happen on each hill but got worse as the trip went on. Now the truck has lost about 3 MPGs and seems to be sluggish compaired to before the trip. The dealer says its fine, nothing wrong???
Going up the big hills I would get a high pitch wine and the motor would rev up and down ( couldn't see it on the tach but you could hear it) I would continue to loose power to the point I was wondering if I would make up the hill at times. It didn't happen on each hill but got worse as the trip went on. Now the truck has lost about 3 MPGs and seems to be sluggish compaired to before the trip. The dealer says its fine, nothing wrong???
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
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From: Baileyton, TN
Disappointed
The dealer couldn't find a code, so that cleared him of any responsibility..... They are not very good in diagnosing a PSD - take it to an International Service place, and talk to a mechanic, tell him the symptoms, mention it did not run a code, and see what they say.
9,000 is nothing. I regularly tow twice that, with my F450, and can still rip the tires of the rims at a stop light.
Theo
9,000 is nothing. I regularly tow twice that, with my F450, and can still rip the tires of the rims at a stop light.
Theo
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Burnsville, MN
Disappointed
That response of no DTC - no problem really ticks me off, it is just laziness in my opinion. A real mechanic should be able to look outside the computer to determine what is wrong. For example does a bad rod bearing throw a DTC?
I suspect that you may be having a turbo issue or other issue related to the engine breathing.
I assume that you have checked air cleaner etc and all is well.
The turbo is not really monitored, so a drop in RPM and boost will not necessarily throw a DTC.
I would suggest a boost test be performed by the dealer and ask them if they could give a quick hand inspection of the compressor side of the turbo charger. We are looking for excessive play or resistance to rotation on the turbine shaft.
My turbo first acted up on long pulls through the mountains, first symptom I had was a change in the tone of the turbo and a slight reduction in economy.
I suspect that you may be having a turbo issue or other issue related to the engine breathing.
I assume that you have checked air cleaner etc and all is well.
The turbo is not really monitored, so a drop in RPM and boost will not necessarily throw a DTC.
I would suggest a boost test be performed by the dealer and ask them if they could give a quick hand inspection of the compressor side of the turbo charger. We are looking for excessive play or resistance to rotation on the turbine shaft.
My turbo first acted up on long pulls through the mountains, first symptom I had was a change in the tone of the turbo and a slight reduction in economy.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Idaho
Disappointed
If you have an automatic I wonder if it was shifting in and out of overdrive but since it didn't register on the tach then that wouldn't be the case. What did your tach register when you were chugging up the hills? Did you try disengaging the overdrive?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Reno USA
Disappointed
The high pitch wine sounds could simply be the turbo. When you said the motor would rev up and down, did you just hear it or could you feel it? The turbo wine is normal, and this may sound like the motor is reving up and down. The tip here is you said you could'nt see it on the tach but you could hear it. If you could hear the wine, but not feel any change on the throttle, my guess is your just hearing the turbo. Loss of power and MPG could be any number of different things, including the turbo. I agree with Theo, take it to International and see what they say. Pulling 9,000 lbs should be a walk in the park for the 7.3L. I pull 13,000 lbs and have gone from coast to coast with no problems.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Burnsville, MN
Disappointed
A percecption in the variation in engine speed could just be that of the cooling fan.
I do have to ask, does your torque converter still lock up?
I do have to ask, does your torque converter still lock up?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Oxford, Alabama
Disappointed
I think that Thumper and Gr
iesel called it. I know that I just got back from a trip up into North Carolina and it was mostly up and down the hills, and I'm pulling about 12K 5ver. The little 350 purred like a kitten and I was passing most of the big rigs, all of the Dodges and Chebbys. Just exercising the PSD you understand.
iesel called it. I know that I just got back from a trip up into North Carolina and it was mostly up and down the hills, and I'm pulling about 12K 5ver. The little 350 purred like a kitten and I was passing most of the big rigs, all of the Dodges and Chebbys. Just exercising the PSD you understand.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Cincinnati
Disappointed
I don't know a lot about PSD's but I woudl check the fuel filter just for grins. I know on the Dodges if the fuel filter gets pluged up it will cause a small lope in the engine and really bad MPG.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Disappointed
It sounds like it might be a turbo/airflow problem to me too. Try a new air filter first, if it's a 99+ truck check all 4 of the the "blue" hose connections to and from the intercooler for cleanliness/correct installation/proper torque of the hose clamps. Check the "orange" hose connections into the intake for the same things. Also make sure the intake tubing to the turbo is properly installed.
If all this is good then remove the intake tract and give the turbo's compressor wheel a close visual inspection with a flashlight, and also feel it to make sure there is not excessive play in the bearings. There should be a little bit, but not much.
After that remove the downpipe from the exhaust side and look for any evidence of oil in the housing or the downpipe. If there is fresh oil in there, the turbo is gone.
If all this is good then remove the intake tract and give the turbo's compressor wheel a close visual inspection with a flashlight, and also feel it to make sure there is not excessive play in the bearings. There should be a little bit, but not much.
After that remove the downpipe from the exhaust side and look for any evidence of oil in the housing or the downpipe. If there is fresh oil in there, the turbo is gone.
Last edited by cookie88; Jul 24, 2003 at 02:42 AM.
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Disappointed
OK let me see if I can answer some of the questions here. This is a lot more help than I got from the dealer.
I am using a K&N air filter. I did check it and it was a little dirty. Cleaned best I could on the road and didn't seem to make a lot of difference. I could not feel the difference in the RPMs just contiued to loose power up the hill.
I did have the fuel filter changed just before I left. When I brought it in they say they tested the turbo and changed the fuel filter again just because. Turbo test OK so they say.
One thing that did seem to make a difference was turning off the air. With the air off it didn't seem to loose as much going up the hill.
I will check the hoses recomended and see what is going on there.
One problem that I have is that I live in Illinois and don't have a lot of big hills to test it on. I still do fine on flat ground.
Does anyone have a recomendation on what international shop to bring it to near Bloomington Ill.
I am using a K&N air filter. I did check it and it was a little dirty. Cleaned best I could on the road and didn't seem to make a lot of difference. I could not feel the difference in the RPMs just contiued to loose power up the hill.
I did have the fuel filter changed just before I left. When I brought it in they say they tested the turbo and changed the fuel filter again just because. Turbo test OK so they say.
One thing that did seem to make a difference was turning off the air. With the air off it didn't seem to loose as much going up the hill.
I will check the hoses recomended and see what is going on there.
One problem that I have is that I live in Illinois and don't have a lot of big hills to test it on. I still do fine on flat ground.
Does anyone have a recomendation on what international shop to bring it to near Bloomington Ill.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Disappointed
they should be fine the engine definitaly i know that my friend's dad has the 7.3L and his turbo is messed up dont know the miles but i think they are low like yours does it whine at all or sound different than when it was new
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Disappointed
seems to sound the same most of the time. I really don't notice any difference. Really only hear the wine under a load. Hauled a truck load of stone home the other day and it did great.