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6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Sluggish for first mile.

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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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Sluggish for first mile.

Hi, being a new member and first time diesel owner, I'm sure my answer is on this forum somewhere, but I not sure where to look.
When I first start it in the morning and go to take off, It runs sluggish and doesn't smoothen out for the first 1/2 to 1 mile. It then seems to run fine. I have no clue as to what to start checking. The temperature was 65 degrees out, so I don't think that was a factor. I don't know if it's and fuel problem or trans issue, or what. I'm clueless at the moment. It had a recent oil change and fuel filter(s) change. Was doing it before then. Any help or direction would be appreciated. Thanks 2004 F-250 Super Duty CC 6.0
 
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Mcgyver2112
Hi, being a new member and first time diesel owner, I'm sure my answer is on this forum somewhere, but I not sure where to look.
When I first start it in the morning and go to take off, It runs sluggish and doesn't smoothen out for the first 1/2 to 1 mile. It then seems to run fine. I have no clue as to what to start checking. The temperature was 65 degrees out, so I don't think that was a factor. I don't know if it's and fuel problem or trans issue, or what. I'm clueless at the moment. It had a recent oil change and fuel filter(s) change. Was doing it before then. Any help or direction would be appreciated. Thanks 2004 F-250 Super Duty CC 6.0
I usually wait until 80 /85 deg engine coolant temp, that's for Trans fluid and oil to heat up, Do you have gauges to Monitor ? what weight oil are you running?
 
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 07:01 PM
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There are guages for engine and trans temp. I put in 15/40 oil. From what I'm reading, it seems everyone is using 5/40. Since just getting the truck, not knowing when the oil was last changed, I asked the parts guy what it called for and 15/40 is what he gave me.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 07:09 PM
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yes Sir that's what ford recommends ( but ) the Injectors like the Synthetic 5w-40 are you in high climate cold in the Morning? if so this could be the problem, and try to warm the o'l girl to 80 coolant temp first and see how that works. also on the Gauges like Scan Gauge your going to need the FICM Mp ( main Power values ) you don't want anything below 45v if that's where it's at then start checking the Charging System , like Alternator-s and Battery's
 
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 07:23 PM
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Even if this sluggish issue isn't electrical, batteries and the alternator are the #1 priority on a 6.0. In my opinion even more important than oil/filters in the short term because of the immediate expense issues they can cause. To mitigate/prevent electrical issues:

Get these:
Amazon.com: SOLAR BA7 100-1200 CCA Electronic Battery and System Tester: Automotive Amazon.com: SOLAR BA7 100-1200 CCA Electronic Battery and System Tester: Automotive

Amazon.com: CTEK (56-864) MUS 4.3 12 Volt Fully Automatic 8 Step Battery Charger: Automotive Amazon.com: CTEK (56-864) MUS 4.3 12 Volt Fully Automatic 8 Step Battery Charger: Automotive


Then some kind of gauge monitor described here to check engine and FICM voltages:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eral-info.html

And read the first section of the first post in this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...procedure.html

If you haven't seen the new owner threads, here are a couple of fun reads:
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - Just bought 06 F350 FX4 6.0!!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...used-6-0l.html
 
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 08:25 PM
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^^^^^ all of the above. Gauges such as the ScanGaugeII, let it warm up before taking off (it's a diesel they are a whole different animal from a gas engine), watch FICM Voltage.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 02:30 AM
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One other thing to take into consideration is the temp that the
transmission changes it shifting strategy do to how the cold
transmission oil acts on the pistons and valving in the transmission.
It all dependent on timing and cold oil messes with it.

So the shifting is different at lower transmission temp.
But it all normal.

Sean

6.0L Tech Folder
 
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 06:41 AM
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Nobody mentioned stiction. Another reason to run 5w40 oil. Do a search and find hours of reading.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Mcgyver2112
There are guages for engine and trans temp. I put in 15/40 oil. From what I'm reading, it seems everyone is using 5/40. Since just getting the truck, not knowing when the oil was last changed, I asked the parts guy what it called for and 15/40 is what he gave me.
If you're referring to the factory indash gauges here then they are nothing but idiot lights with needles and basically only indicate cold/normal/hot.

The oil pressure "gauge" indicates "normal" with only 7 psi of pressure. (Thankfully, this engine won't run without the low pressure oil pump to feed the high pressure oil pump.)

As previously mentioned, you need to get some kind of monitor to see what your truck is really doing.
 
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