This sounds similar to what I am having. About two to three weeks ago I noticed a pretty heafty puff of back/grey smoke when I start up in the morning or after sitting all day at work. It does this weather I plug it in or not. A few days ago I was getting on the interstate and had a difficult time getting up to speed. The truck was empty. I put my foot in it as the nice folks here in Colorado despise a big truck, and even worse want to make sure it can't merge into ongoing traffic. Anyway I felt like I had no power. Then tonight I was driving into town at about 1800 RPMs and the truck started to surge like I was tapping the acceleration petal. I thought I had felt this a few times before, but this time it did it was very noticable. I have not noticed it at higher RPMs above 2400. It is enough of a surge to make me feel uncomfortable, and tonight I was in a snow storm with snow packed roads. I need to get it to the dealer anyway because oil is starting to show up on my hood. My dad had his turbo and intercooler hoses replaced when that happened to him. I have also noticed more of a diesel oil smell in the cab, but I cant hear any leaks in the exhaust. Any ideas, the truck is a F350, Auto, CC, LB, 4x4, 3.73LS, SRW, 04 with a March 04 engine build date. I had it reflashed in November, and the tranny recall done in February. My MPG has also dropped from 15.5-16 driving to and from work, to 13.5 mpg. I will try a new tank and see if I had bad diesel. The truck just rolled over 13k, is a dailey driver, and a must have for work. Love the sight, and wouldn't drive anything buy a ford, Levi

 

Just got my truck back from the dealer Yesterday. I had the same problem you discribed just 1 time and it went away after about 10 seconds. So I took it to the dealer Monday told them about the problem and a few other non engine problems. They replaced 2,5 and 8 injector, a wiring harness and reflashed to the lastest flash.

She run about the same. Seem to have a little bit more turbo lag and a little less humf but I am assume that is the turbo lag.

 

Last night after work I was back up and it started to cough, buck, blow back smoke, and eventually stopped running. It started up, but was really surging at RPM's of 1500-1800. I had already called my dealer and the earliest they could get it in is a week from today. I called after it stopped running and said I would be there in an hour. They took the truck, and gave me an 01 F150 to drive until mine is fixed. Will be gone at least a week. The truck ran fine at 2000-2200 RPMs going 70-75MPH??? Will see what happens in a week or so. Thanks for the info Las Vegas, my dad thought it was acting like injectors. He had is 03 bought back because of injectors that I think let diesel in the crank case. Levi

 

Finally got to get truck today, has been gone for over a week. I made the 1 hr drive to get the truck. They said it was a faulty sensor (can't remember which one). Anyway drove home and when I got there the truck almost died while I was coming to a stop. It then started surging again when I began moving. I called the dealer and took it back only 2 hrs after I picked it up. I took the service manage for a drive and could not get it to replicate. They kept it and are going to hook it up to a recorder. I hope they can replicate it. I asked them to check wire rubbing. There was also more oil on my hood, but he said some of that is normal and is common. How many of your trucks have the oil spot. My dads was more severe as oil was in the valley. They replaced his turbo and hoses. Anyhow, I am agian without my truck. I will say that the dealer is helping me get threw this process. They let me drive used F150's while mine is getting worked on. The dealer up here in Colorado Springs won't even consider that. That is why I buy an hour away is because of the service. Any more ideas about what is going on is always appreciated. Thanks, Levi

 

ICP sensor maybe?

The actual ICP value needs to be monitored, and if it is fluctuating under partial or full load the IPR and High pressure pump needs to be checked for any kind of mechanical failure. If this doesn't solve the problem, each indivudal injector should be tested. It is possible that it is a VGT problem, but 95% of the surging issues I have personally seen have been injection control related.

Yes, the oil spots are normal. You can thank the boosted crankcase gasses that get sent through the turbo for that.

 

It was the ICP sensor. I would like to say too, that a good dealer makes life easier. My family owns a tree nursery here in Colorado, and our busy season is just starting. The truck is a daily driver that I use to deliver trees and move machinery. Every time our trucks have been in the shop, the dealer has given us a truck to use. Most of the times they are F150's but they have the 5.4 and trailer brakes so we can still use them if we have too. Before I bought my one ton, and my dad's happen to be in the shop they gave us a 02 7.3 to pull our big trailer. The closer dealer where I live wouldn't think of doing that. I mentioned it to him once and they said there was nothing they could do, and I explained that is why I take my business an hour away. Anyhow, I hope they get the truck fixed. I had a half ton before this and liked it, but have wanted a super duty since 97 when they were first letting info out about them. Thanks for the info, Levi

 

Run the truck in 1st gear for 1 mile with the pedal to the metal. This will seat the sensors and the truck will then run fine.

Worked for me

 

"Seat the sensors"?

 

I think he meant "seat the tach needle"...

Duncan

 

Or seat the mileage meter, maybe.

Seriously, myford's trick may clean the EGR valve out, which would improve things if that were the culprit. When they replaced my EGR valve to fix intermittent surging, the tech told me to find a deserted stretch of highway and "blow it out" every now and then.

 

MOEBDICK explained it better than me to fix the problem

 

I will try that if I ever get my truck back. Will be 2 weeks tommorow! Levi

 

Make sure you are logging down everthing that happens...dates, time, places, people...

 

I got my truck back, but with no fix. They put about 150 miles on it and couldn't get it to do the surging or stall. We decided to put a recorder on it so I can drive the truck instead of the loaner. I put about 70 miles on so far and nothing major. Was going to drive around today (Sunday), but we are having a small Blizzard here in Colorado. Good info Tim, I have started a log, just in case things don't get fixed. So far they have had it 14 days for the surgind, 2 for the tranny recall, and I thnk 1 for a re-flash. Anyhow I love the truck, and hope they can fix it, although that yellow F350 at the dealer is tempting. LOL Levi

 

Yea we had 80 on thursday and friday....now snowing....hum..great to live in the rockies