NO TOWING POWER.!
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NO TOWING POWER.!
I have a 99 f150 Triton V8 4.6 5 Speed.! The truck struggles to pull a 500Lb motorcycle up the slightest hill/upgrade...! It performs well when not towing the bike and is really good on gas to be a V8... The check engine light stays on of course and the codes are showing bank 1 and bank 2 (cats/converters.!) So my question is... Does this mean the cats/converters are stopping up and they need to be replaced.? Or is it the sensors in the cats/converters that need to be replaced.? My mechanic never said so what should i do and will this fix the power loss.?
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Since my mechanic didnt show me the code(s) i just went to my local AutoZone and did a quick scan and the code is reading PO420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1...! Mechanic said Bank 1 and 2
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
Catalyst inefficiency codes mean the converter isn't working chemically (usually), but they provide no insight into whether or not the actual exhaust flow is restricted which is what it would take to reduce engine power. Sometimes you have one but not the other condition.
There are a number of things that can cause severely reduced engine power. Your mechanic should be able to go through the list and see what's going on.
There are a number of things that can cause severely reduced engine power. Your mechanic should be able to go through the list and see what's going on.
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Catalyst inefficiency codes mean the converter isn't working chemically (usually), but they provide no insight into whether or not the actual exhaust flow is restricted which is what it would take to reduce engine power. Sometimes you have one but not the other condition.
There are a number of things that can cause severely reduced engine power. Your mechanic should be able to go through the list and see what's going on.
There are a number of things that can cause severely reduced engine power. Your mechanic should be able to go through the list and see what's going on.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,762
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
I personally don't think the exhaust is restricted because on cold starts steam flows out really good until hot.!
I'v read also that the PO420 code could indicate the rear O2 (oxygen) sensor is no longer working properly as well
If i let the mechanic replace the converters and that wasn't the problem i'm gonna be pissed lol.!
Of course, if you have a set of tall gearing and you then installed tall tires, your issue is readily explained (operator error).
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Of course, if you have a set of tall gearing and you then installed tall tires, your issue is readily explained (operator error).[/QUOTE]
You know.? I read something about tall gearing a few weeks ago but I dont quite understand it.? As far as the tires go ive only got 245s on it... Nothing big or overkill.! Id like to hear a good explanation of tall gearing and short gearing and what is best.! also the cost of changing the gearing out if need be.? It pulls well on a straight away but as soon as i get to the slightest of hill the power is gone.! a few weeks ago while pulling the bike up fancy gap mt (VA) on 77 North i had to get in the freakin trucking lane because i was having to down shift from 4 to 3rd all the way up.!
You know.? I read something about tall gearing a few weeks ago but I dont quite understand it.? As far as the tires go ive only got 245s on it... Nothing big or overkill.! Id like to hear a good explanation of tall gearing and short gearing and what is best.! also the cost of changing the gearing out if need be.? It pulls well on a straight away but as soon as i get to the slightest of hill the power is gone.! a few weeks ago while pulling the bike up fancy gap mt (VA) on 77 North i had to get in the freakin trucking lane because i was having to down shift from 4 to 3rd all the way up.!
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FTE Legend
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
What is the axle code on the drivers door pillar. IMO anything less than 4.10 gears is useless with these small V8s.
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Ok I've had to edit this... Thanks for the tip Conanski.! I've did some research and found that the code is H9, a gear ratio of 3.55 and you are right...! Absolutely useless.! for towing that is... it dose good while not towing... So, my loss of power while towing is solved and that leaves me with just the PO420 code... lol this truck has a fifth wheel hookup in the bed.! no way i can see this truck pulling a horse trailer or a camper of any size... the guy i bought it from said the former owner pulled a boat with it lol i dont see it.! maybe a "John boat" ; ))
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Van down by the river
Solved?
another post with almost similar issues gives more troubleshooting advice.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-no-codes.html
I don't tow but why would 4.10 gears be basically the only gears to tow with on a 4.6? 500lb isn't a big load by any standard and I would look deeper into the issue.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-no-codes.html
I don't tow but why would 4.10 gears be basically the only gears to tow with on a 4.6? 500lb isn't a big load by any standard and I would look deeper into the issue.
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another post with almost similar issues gives more troubleshooting advice.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-no-codes.html
I don't tow but why would 4.10 gears be basically the only gears to tow with on a 4.6? 500lb isn't a big load by any standard and I would look deeper into the issue.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-no-codes.html
I don't tow but why would 4.10 gears be basically the only gears to tow with on a 4.6? 500lb isn't a big load by any standard and I would look deeper into the issue.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: NE Iowa JD Country
I tend to agree to dig deeper. 500lbs is peanuts, literally you can easily put 3 times that in the bed and it should not give too much problem going down the road.
I realize the 4.6 is no power house and the 3:55 gears are not all that great for pulling trailers, but that combo is not terrible either. Seems like your tires size is pretty much stock. So , like others suggest, that indicates that you need to look into it further. You changed the air filter, right....Have you changed the fuel filter? I'd also have the fuel pressure checked. As well as, get the vacuum checked and fresh set of spark plugs ( unless that has been done recently). These are pretty simple things that are not very costly and can give noticeable changes to performance.
You'll probably need to have a scanner hooked up that is capable of live data and reconstruct the scenario and see where it is falling on its face.
I realize the 4.6 is no power house and the 3:55 gears are not all that great for pulling trailers, but that combo is not terrible either. Seems like your tires size is pretty much stock. So , like others suggest, that indicates that you need to look into it further. You changed the air filter, right....Have you changed the fuel filter? I'd also have the fuel pressure checked. As well as, get the vacuum checked and fresh set of spark plugs ( unless that has been done recently). These are pretty simple things that are not very costly and can give noticeable changes to performance.
You'll probably need to have a scanner hooked up that is capable of live data and reconstruct the scenario and see where it is falling on its face.
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I tend to agree to dig deeper. 500lbs is peanuts, literally you can easily put 3 times that in the bed and it should not give too much problem going down the road.
I realize the 4.6 is no power house and the 3:55 gears are not all that great for pulling trailers, but that combo is not terrible either. Seems like your tires size is pretty much stock. So , like others suggest, that indicates that you need to look into it further. You changed the air filter, right....Have you changed the fuel filter? I'd also have the fuel pressure checked. As well as, get the vacuum checked and fresh set of spark plugs ( unless that has been done recently). These are pretty simple things that are not very costly and can give noticeable changes to performance.
You'll probably need to have a scanner hooked up that is capable of live data and reconstruct the scenario and see where it is falling on its face.
I realize the 4.6 is no power house and the 3:55 gears are not all that great for pulling trailers, but that combo is not terrible either. Seems like your tires size is pretty much stock. So , like others suggest, that indicates that you need to look into it further. You changed the air filter, right....Have you changed the fuel filter? I'd also have the fuel pressure checked. As well as, get the vacuum checked and fresh set of spark plugs ( unless that has been done recently). These are pretty simple things that are not very costly and can give noticeable changes to performance.
You'll probably need to have a scanner hooked up that is capable of live data and reconstruct the scenario and see where it is falling on its face.
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From: Van down by the river
Seek and ye shall find
Oh yeah! That has to help. I just changed my fuel filter yesterday and it wasn't THAT bad.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,446
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From: NE Iowa JD Country
. Hope the whole tank doesn't looks like that??I hope you flushed that line out a bit
Might consider testing fuel pressure after replacing the fuel filter.
Last edited by enriched&beyound; Jun 9, 2017 at 05:51 AM. Reason: phrasing
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