Power loss while climbing hills
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Power loss while climbing hills
A few months ago I purchased a stock 1997 F350 PSD with 150,000 miles owner sts tranny rebuilt at 110,000. I put an aftermarket airbox and filter, 4 inch exhaust turbo back and superchips micro tuner set on middle program towing <8000 lbs. Truck seems to run fine around town and on highway until I encounter a long hill. My speed with drop down to 50 - 55 mph with rpms 2500-2600. It's as if it's has hit the wall or is governed. As the incline decreased power will come back and accelerate again. It runs smooth during the climb just has no power and just about everyone on the road passes me at will. There does not appear to be any leaks around the turbo or the tubing leading to the intakes. I have a new ford lift pump, new fuel filter, new cps. No codes show on the tuner. To me the truck seems to run fine until this one situation is encountered there is not any rough running, sputtering or smoking just nothing left power wise. I don't have gauges to see what the boost is at. Where do I go from here? Also this is both in or out of overdrive and the transmition does not have any noticable slipping etc. Please Help!
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
At the risk of sounding like a smartbutt, the answer to your question is a little thing called gravity. You are trying to move a 7000+ lbs truck up a hill. That is a lot of weight. If you down shift (or in an auto just floor it) it should come to life, just will turn a lot of RPM's. If you do that and it still won't go then maybe you have a problem, but I doubt it. My truck is the same way. Just something you deal with.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
The only time I have noticed any downshifting on hills is when I am towing my 9K trailer. Even towing it doesn't smoke or grumble, it just digs in and goes.
Frank
Frank
Last edited by missouguy; Jun 18, 2005 at 03:14 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Markh, I know that you said the pump has been replaced, but this behaviour sounds like a failing fuel pump or loss of/low fuel pressure. Suggest getting a fuel pressue guage, installing it, and go hit that hill.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
yea something's not right - with your rpms around 2500 - you should have all kinds of power - especially with the SCMT!! I'd have to agree with Kwik that it sounds like you are just not getting the fuel to the fires...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Well gravity is not the answer I was looking for. It should dig in and go as was stated by someone else. The throttle is to the floor at 50 - 55mph and only 2500 - 2600 rpm and the tranny has kicked down overdrive off. It does seem like a fuel supply problem but when there is a slight brake in grade power returns and the pulling begins. I it possible some sensor is cutting the supply to prevent over boosting? I this a symptom of a bad high pressure pump or throttle control switch? Everyone around here with like vehicles tell me something is wrong they can pull trailers up the same hills and have to back off because of high egts not any lack of power. I need to check my Fuel pressure now thanks! Keep the ideas coming. Thanks!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
Originally Posted by markh2800
I it possible some sensor is cutting the supply to prevent over boosting?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
No lights showing at all. I have not had a chance to even look at anything yet. But would the evbp be closing causing this? I have read in other threads about the check engine light or other warning lights coming on when an overboost is detected and decreasing the fueling but no warning lights come on. No codes are found with programer. I was hoping for a simple fix before I put more money in the truck (ie. gauges) just hoping there was something I was missing that was the cause. Still need to check fuel pressure delivery though. Thanks!
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by markh2800
Well gravity is not the answer I was looking for. It should dig in and go as was stated by someone else. The throttle is to the floor at 50 - 55mph and only 2500 - 2600 rpm and the tranny has kicked down overdrive off. It does seem like a fuel supply problem but when there is a slight brake in grade power returns and the pulling begins. I it possible some sensor is cutting the supply to prevent over boosting? I this a symptom of a bad high pressure pump or throttle control switch? Everyone around here with like vehicles tell me something is wrong they can pull trailers up the same hills and have to back off because of high egts not any lack of power. I need to check my Fuel pressure now thanks! Keep the ideas coming. Thanks!
I hope you figure it out as I am sure it is frustrating.
Again, I didn't mean to insult you by what I wrote, but with some people you have to make sure the basics are covered before jumping in any deeper.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
For a quick fix, try checking the fuel filter and the screen in the separator bowl. Make sure everything is clean there before digging too deep. I've got a 95 that flies up the mountains in Colorado and I have to watch to keep my speed down at 11,000 ft. on some pretty steep grades. It's worth a look.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Thank you for all the input. I did clean the screen and fuel pressure was around 50 at idle. I increased the regulator spring pressure to see if that made a difference and it did. The truck would hardly run,and would die when coming to a stop. I returned the regulator to the stock position and not much change it still would not run smoothly. It was towed to a mechanic and diagnosed with an injector problem. After 4 new injectors and a handsome bill it runs like a new truck. It appears there has always been a problem with the injectors. The truck runs great far better than I have ever experience it being. Thats with the stock program. I am afraid to install the programer now it runs so much better.