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Surge when towing

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Old Jun 22, 2004 | 11:28 PM
  #1  
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Surge when towing

I have about 4000 miles on my 2004 F350 and just came back from a trip pulling my 5th wheel. When climbing a hill pulling the 5th wheel I get a surging sound as if the engine is changing RPM although the tach remains the same. I am in tow/haul mode and it sounds like it could be the torque converter locking and unlocking if I floor it it seems to go away. Anyone else have this happen.
TIA
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 03:43 AM
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jditton,
I have had the same problem. However I noticed mine under normal driving conditions. And when I accelerate under 3000 rpm's. When I give her the fuel she runs fine with know surging/pulsating.Had the truck in the shop yesterday with no actions taken. They couldnt find the problem and said this could be normal.And they are wrong.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by jditton
I have about 4000 miles on my 2004 F350 and just came back from a trip pulling my 5th wheel. When climbing a hill pulling the 5th wheel I get a surging sound as if the engine is changing RPM although the tach remains the same. I am in tow/haul mode and it sounds like it could be the torque converter locking and unlocking if I floor it it seems to go away. Anyone else have this happen.
TIA
Sounds like the fan coming on.
It is loud..........could it be that.
The only thing I do with mine is pull, and it does the samething.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 09:07 AM
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Me too!!! Mine surges under light accel. mostly when cold. It is bad enough that you can hear the turbo surge through the exhaust! (Hog exhaust) Also, you can watch boost vary as much as 5-7psi at the gauge. Mine does most in stock tune, but will also do it with the Edge or the Predator. If you use more than 1/4 throttle you can actually feel the truck surge pretty badly. Good thing is once vehicle is up to temp., almost all the surge and sound goes away. I called my Ford dealer and spoke with a good friend who is their diesel tech. He seemed to think that the truck needed to be flashed. He said that they have seen this before, and that it would not cause any problems other than annoyance to me! (Not Good) I have not tried the flash, but may in the future. Anyone else with any ideas or same concern?? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 05:01 PM
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hcf250
I have seen some guys say that they had their exhaust back pressure sensor replaced and the problem was solved. I will hopefully get to talk to the diesel tech this Friday. I leave on a 1800 mile round trip vacation a week from Friday. I notice mine the most going up hill between 1500 to 2500 rpm's. When I get on it a bit there is no problem. I also pulled my 10,000 lb camper and the lugging effect was about to make me sick. I hope the tech can help me. The non diesel tech told me monday that there are know new flashes for my truck. Motor build was May/04.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 07:30 PM
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I don't know if it is the same issue, but I have found that while traveling particularly on an uneven road surface that the accelarator pedal is so sensitive that the slight bucking of the truck can cause you to unknowingly vary the throttle position causing a increased bucking of the truck. If you push the accelarator or let off the bucking settles down.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by dbm04F250
I don't know if it is the same issue, but I have found that while traveling particularly on an uneven road surface that the accelarator pedal is so sensitive that the slight bucking of the truck can cause you to unknowingly vary the throttle position causing a increased bucking of the truck. If you push the accelarator or let off the bucking settles down.

You nailed that one right on, mine has doen that twice. I stopped and restarted and everything was OK....
 
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Old Jun 23, 2004 | 10:59 PM
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You shouldn't have to stop ... just be aware that your foot/leg movement to the original bump in the road is a contributing factor and to either remove your foot from the pedal or increase your speed a slight bit to "load" the drive and it should settle back down. If it is a continuously bouncy road ... useing the cruise control will help.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2004 | 04:45 AM
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what i have is not from my foot. This happens ever time I accelerate. I can even feel the surging while cruising along at 60 mph.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2004 | 07:13 AM
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How far up on the dipstick, is you oil. Is it at the top or half way down??
 
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Old Jun 24, 2004 | 05:50 PM
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Hi Tim
It is at the max level on the dip stick. I have seen some problems about this issue. Do you think this could affect the truck with the problems I am having? I have 1500 miles on the factory oil. And I am going on a 1800 mile musky venture in Canada a week from Friday. Should I just change the oil and filter before leaving or would I be ok to take the factory oil up to 4000 miles? And is there an easier way to drain some oil than the plug? Thanks for your replies.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2004 | 06:17 PM
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Thanks Wildcat, Tim my oil level is just under full and I have change the oil. I have not heard about the exhaust sensor. Maybe I can get mine replaced and see if it helps, that way we all may or may not benefit from this attempt to repair!! Thanks to all again and I will let every one know if I get the sensor.
hc
 
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Old Jun 24, 2004 | 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by wildcat421
Hi Tim
It is at the max level on the dip stick. I have seen some problems about this issue. Do you think this could affect the truck with the problems I am having? I have 1500 miles on the factory oil. And I am going on a 1800 mile musky venture in Canada a week from Friday. Should I just change the oil and filter before leaving or would I be ok to take the factory oil up to 4000 miles? And is there an easier way to drain some oil than the plug? Thanks for your replies.
There is no easy way to do this, drain some oil out, 5 gal pale cut it off and pull the plug.

Drain enough oil so the dipstick shows the oil up one-third form the bottom. That will show oil between the lower 1st hash mark and the 3rd hash mark. Or X to some.

Please understand this is a way of trying to see if the problem still exists with this approach.
Drive it for day and see if it is better.
 
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