V-10 Let Me Down!
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
I've had the same (lack of power) issue with my 03, 4:30, 4x4, 18k miles towing my 30' tt at 9,000 lbs. Truck just dogs up hills! I usually have to drop down to 3rd, sometimes 2nd to maintain a reasonable amount of speed. From what I've read on this post sounds like it could be a fuel filter issue? Mine has never been changed. Also, my truck surges while at idle (moving) through say a parking lot. Any ideas what would cause that? Thanks for any advice!
Chris
Chris
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 475
Likes: 1
From: La Habra, CA
Remember, the V-10 likes high RPM's. In the mountains don't be afraid to drop to a lower gear to maintain speed.
I have 4.30's with 35's and consider it barely adequate. I have a set of 38's on rims, an 8" lift and 5.13 gears in the garage waiting for some spare time to install.
37's with 4.30's is going to kill you. 3.73's with any tire bigger than stock is going to kill you, (unless you have a 6 speed). Towing 9000lbs will require more HP, thus more RPM's with the V-10. The engine simply doesn't make enough power at 2000 RPM to pull a significant hill with a load. Diesel's can do it because they have the power at lower RPM's.
If the engine is healthy, don't be afraid to rev it.
I have 4.30's with 35's and consider it barely adequate. I have a set of 38's on rims, an 8" lift and 5.13 gears in the garage waiting for some spare time to install.
37's with 4.30's is going to kill you. 3.73's with any tire bigger than stock is going to kill you, (unless you have a 6 speed). Towing 9000lbs will require more HP, thus more RPM's with the V-10. The engine simply doesn't make enough power at 2000 RPM to pull a significant hill with a load. Diesel's can do it because they have the power at lower RPM's.
If the engine is healthy, don't be afraid to rev it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
I wouldn't be afraid to nail it to the floor but detonation started freaking me out. My truck on the way home when I first bought it was pinging. That was when it was bone stock, and had 87 in the tank and I wasn't towing anything. With the trans out of OD, the cruising RPM is approx. 3000 rpm. On a straight road (no-hill), I can pass anyone I want. But up the hill, it dies, and the more throttle you put in it, the more it detonates. I'd hate to uninstall the Superchip and go back to stock and still have to run 91. My wife has a 2000 Mustang 3.8L 6 cylinder, and it pinged from the day we bought it new. Turned out the PCV valve was sucking oil from the poorly designed valve cover into the intake. They say oil going into the intake kills the octane level by a lot. I modified the PCV and valve cover so the oil cannot get sucked into the intake, and there is zero detonation. Totally fixed 100%. I wonder if the V10 is doing the same thing?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 38
OK gents here is my back ground
One 2V V10 310HP and very strong "code" this truck would drag a 14,456LB load up LoveLand pass at 11,946 feet at 65MPH with A 4R100 3.73:1 4x4 CC Platinum Edition in 3rd gear with good gasoline!
I have a newer 3v V10 5R110 4.30:1 much heavier truck that pulls exact same load up exact same hill at 65-75 MPH with power to spare!!!!!
I am part owner of 8 2002/2003 2v V10s all with 3.73:1 gears and 4x4 they all pull 5000 to 11,000lb loads very strongly
So I am waiting for a serious answer to my previous post
I suspect these:
low power 2vV10
Crap gasoline
Under serviced trans
Slipping trans
Driver unwilling to test rpm limit
A 275 HP motor with 3.73:1 gears trying to pull more then Ten Thousand pounds
Tire pressure down around 55 PSI
I can not imagine dragging 6500lbs up a puny 7% grade at 30 mph with any V10
Something ain't right
One 2V V10 310HP and very strong "code" this truck would drag a 14,456LB load up LoveLand pass at 11,946 feet at 65MPH with A 4R100 3.73:1 4x4 CC Platinum Edition in 3rd gear with good gasoline!
I have a newer 3v V10 5R110 4.30:1 much heavier truck that pulls exact same load up exact same hill at 65-75 MPH with power to spare!!!!!
I am part owner of 8 2002/2003 2v V10s all with 3.73:1 gears and 4x4 they all pull 5000 to 11,000lb loads very strongly
So I am waiting for a serious answer to my previous post
I suspect these:
low power 2vV10
Crap gasoline
Under serviced trans
Slipping trans
Driver unwilling to test rpm limit
A 275 HP motor with 3.73:1 gears trying to pull more then Ten Thousand pounds
Tire pressure down around 55 PSI
I can not imagine dragging 6500lbs up a puny 7% grade at 30 mph with any V10
Something ain't right
Last edited by Fredvon4; Jul 11, 2005 at 08:45 PM.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
i have to agree with fred. somethings wrong. where i live is not loveland pass but the grade home is uphill at 25% for two miles. never a problem gaining speed up it with apx 8k on the hitch. and when i say gain i mean it.at the bottom is a trafic light that i always seem to catch red. and a left turn that slows you down again. and i can hit 70 plus going up. i have 3 grades to get off this mountain one is 17%, a 2nd is 19% and the last and most traveled is 25%. the 17% is 3 miles of horse carrige road
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 53
From: Connecticut
In my case:
- Can't speak to the low power, I don't have the tools to determine which flash I have. How does one do this and get 'the good code'?
- I ran 89 octane for the trip up to NHIS but tried 93 for the trip home with no noticable difference. I did not disconnect the battery after putting in 93.
- 45k miles, can't imagine the trans needs service yet. Fluid is good, looks clean, no burn smell. Doesn't feel like it's slipping at all. A TransCommand is in transit, we'll see if that helps.
- Driver is very willing to test RPM limit; he drives a race car with a 7500 redline for fun...<grin>
- Pulling a GVW 7,000 trailer. Figure 3500 tare with a 2200 pound car, and probably another 760 pounds in tools, equipment, and parts between the back of the van and the trailer, two adults up front. That should be easy.
- Tire pressures are 55F, 65R, 55 on the trailer. What's the recommendation, and why?
>>> Something ain't right
Amen, brother. Find it and beverages are on me.
- Can't speak to the low power, I don't have the tools to determine which flash I have. How does one do this and get 'the good code'?
- I ran 89 octane for the trip up to NHIS but tried 93 for the trip home with no noticable difference. I did not disconnect the battery after putting in 93.
- 45k miles, can't imagine the trans needs service yet. Fluid is good, looks clean, no burn smell. Doesn't feel like it's slipping at all. A TransCommand is in transit, we'll see if that helps.
- Driver is very willing to test RPM limit; he drives a race car with a 7500 redline for fun...<grin>
- Pulling a GVW 7,000 trailer. Figure 3500 tare with a 2200 pound car, and probably another 760 pounds in tools, equipment, and parts between the back of the van and the trailer, two adults up front. That should be easy.
- Tire pressures are 55F, 65R, 55 on the trailer. What's the recommendation, and why?
>>> Something ain't right
Amen, brother. Find it and beverages are on me.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 53
From: Connecticut
A meet? Of course! The NJ and NY folks are a piece of cake; I'm in the Hartford CT area. As for the rest, well, it depends on how bad they want their free beverages! - GA
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
well guess I am going to make sure I don't have a loose vacuum hose somewhere or something else obvious to the bare eye..... then try some Chevron 93 hopefully. In SoCal, I don't see 93 octane for sale at many places. 87, 89 and 91 seems to be the norm. To be honest, I've been using Arco 91 and the 91 available at Sams Club. Maybe this is a big no no??
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 3
From: North Dakota
captchas,
Did you say 25% grade earlier, holy cow thats some serious road. As a civil engineer I have to question it as there aren't many roads that are that steep for 2 miles. I gotta know where you're living as I've only been on maybe 2 roads that have broke 20% grades. I realize the mountains possess a few of these and I'm not exactly living in the mountain here in ND, lol. Don't take this the wrong way but thats some serious grade.
Did you say 25% grade earlier, holy cow thats some serious road. As a civil engineer I have to question it as there aren't many roads that are that steep for 2 miles. I gotta know where you're living as I've only been on maybe 2 roads that have broke 20% grades. I realize the mountains possess a few of these and I'm not exactly living in the mountain here in ND, lol. Don't take this the wrong way but thats some serious grade.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
GregA wrote: "Tire pressures are 55F, 65R, 55 on the trailer. What's the recommendation, and why?"
Greg -
According to what I have found here the suggestion is 65F, 80R for tire pressures on the van, and whatver the max number reccomended on the trailer tire sidewalls (in my case I think that was around 40 PSI). That's what I am running in my '04 E350 XLT with the V-10. No sway issues at all, tire temps were nice across the board during a recent trip to BeaveRun (I just had to try out the new temp probe!). Given the nature of the swing axle front suspension these things have, I suspect that frequent tire rotation will be be key to letting them live to a ripe old age.
Let me know what you think of the TransCommand. BTW, I know (friend of a friend) Sean who bought your old van and recommended it based upon your rep.
Greg -
According to what I have found here the suggestion is 65F, 80R for tire pressures on the van, and whatver the max number reccomended on the trailer tire sidewalls (in my case I think that was around 40 PSI). That's what I am running in my '04 E350 XLT with the V-10. No sway issues at all, tire temps were nice across the board during a recent trip to BeaveRun (I just had to try out the new temp probe!). Given the nature of the swing axle front suspension these things have, I suspect that frequent tire rotation will be be key to letting them live to a ripe old age.
Let me know what you think of the TransCommand. BTW, I know (friend of a friend) Sean who bought your old van and recommended it based upon your rep.
Last edited by wreckerboy; Jul 12, 2005 at 09:43 AM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Fred von4;I have to appologize for getting a little ruff the other day. I'm just frustrated at what to do and what might be wrong with my '99 V10. Let me address some of your list:
Crap gas: 87octane w/10% assenol / "oxygenated"
Under serviced trans: Paid $2600.00 Sat for a rebuild.
Pushing RPM's: Yes, I am (was) unwilling to push it. Not now!
Gears and 10,000 pounds: I just found out I have the 3.73:1 rear end and might be approaching 10Klbs when fulling loaded.
Tire pressure: 70 lbs PSI regularly.
Hope this is the "more info" you asked for. I did not do a computer diagnostics, the guy talked me out of it. I thanked him!
I am considering cutting off the cat, & go with the 70 series Flowmaster for exhaust mod(s). I/we weren't sure what to do with or to the stock Y pipe. Many posts suggest getting rid od it or modifying it, but to what?
I already took your advice and cut an air hole infront of the air filter body.
I'm not convinced that a 1715 Superchip will do much for $400.00.
Can you help some more?
Crap gas: 87octane w/10% assenol / "oxygenated"
Under serviced trans: Paid $2600.00 Sat for a rebuild.
Pushing RPM's: Yes, I am (was) unwilling to push it. Not now!
Gears and 10,000 pounds: I just found out I have the 3.73:1 rear end and might be approaching 10Klbs when fulling loaded.
Tire pressure: 70 lbs PSI regularly.
Hope this is the "more info" you asked for. I did not do a computer diagnostics, the guy talked me out of it. I thanked him!
I am considering cutting off the cat, & go with the 70 series Flowmaster for exhaust mod(s). I/we weren't sure what to do with or to the stock Y pipe. Many posts suggest getting rid od it or modifying it, but to what?
I already took your advice and cut an air hole infront of the air filter body.
I'm not convinced that a 1715 Superchip will do much for $400.00.
Can you help some more?
Last edited by live2hunt; Jul 12, 2005 at 10:10 AM. Reason: spelling
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 16
From: Vancouver Wash USA
97-98-99 V-10's
Even though the hp is less, the torque is almost the same so towing a 7% grade should not be a problem. I tow a fairly weighty trailer with my 98 and have never dropped to that speed even up over the Santiam Pass or up over Mt Hood. Going out of Biggs Junction Oregon has to be at least 8 or 9% and we motate up that bad boy going to Yakima for the wine and whine festival. You definitely need to look into it a bit, there has to be something amiss. Good luck, it must be tough not having all the grunt you paid for, I hope you figure it out, Ken