First diesel...acceleration question
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New User
Joined: Sep 2006
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First diesel...acceleration question
Just bought my first diesel truck...2000 F250 crew cab, 7.3L powerstroke with just over 89,000 miles on it. The acceleration is not that great, and was wondering if that is normal or not. I also drive a 2004 Dodge Sprinter van 2500 for work occasionally, which is my only other diesel experience, and it takes off a lot quicker than the truck. Is this normal?
Just found this site earlier today and it's fantastic...I'd appreciate any kind of information anyone could give me. Thanks.
Just found this site earlier today and it's fantastic...I'd appreciate any kind of information anyone could give me. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
Welcome to FTE. Now that van is newer and not made to pull like a PSD. It is lighter and is made to haul people. The PSD is a torque monster and appears sluggish in stock trim. I have a few mods and simply cannot drive it on the stock setting anymore with my chip. Seems like a dog although it can pull like that. Poke around the site and prepare to open your wallet. These trucks seemingly last forever when properly cared for.
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Try changing the fuel filter. When I got my '99 as a hand-me-down from my dad; it was felt too slow --even for a diesel. One day I just went ahead and changed the filter and that made a substantial difference.
-Jon
-Jon
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Your truck my have what is called fly-by wire (not sure of spelling) instead of a throttle cable. The accelerator pedal will be totally different with that set up. Your foot will be pressing down and down before you get much acceleration.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by BowDown
Ya, I noticed something similar when I got my PSD. You have to give it more pedal than you think, then once the turbo starts to whine you can back out a bit and still accelerate at a good clip.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
The Sprinter is much more responsive, I've driven one and they are nice.
The PSD is a lot heavier, but if you load them up, they'll pull three times what a Sprinter will pull.
I've found that my truck will accelorate nearly as fast pulling the 14,000 lb trailer as when it's empty on a level road. You just hear the turbo spool up a LOT higher. IMO that's when the PSD does it's best work is when you load them heavy.
The PSD is a lot heavier, but if you load them up, they'll pull three times what a Sprinter will pull.
I've found that my truck will accelorate nearly as fast pulling the 14,000 lb trailer as when it's empty on a level road. You just hear the turbo spool up a LOT higher. IMO that's when the PSD does it's best work is when you load them heavy.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
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From: CT
Just yesterday I loaded up with 1 1/2 yards of top soil, it was just as fast as if it were empty. Now stoping was a differnt story.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
They are pretty slow in factory form, that sounds pretty normal to me.. These trucks aren't the fastest of the diesels available but they sure are one of the best in my opinion..
FYI - you can make it accelerate much faster for a few bucks
- just beware of the PMS!!
FYI - you can make it accelerate much faster for a few bucks
- just beware of the PMS!!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: west MI
I find it helps to give a little thottle just before taking off to let the turbo spool up helps acceleration. Take the hose to turbo off the fiter box and take a look at your turbine and make sure it looks ok, and there is no dirt in the hose. The stock airbox is a piece of garbage
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, WI
Matt,
I also noticed that after I bought my '01. I have been told I would get the most bang for the buck if I were to replace my factory turbo before I do any other mods. Ends up being about the same price as a chip, but with better results. (So I've been told).
By the way, the Sprinter - It's and inline 5 cylinder that winds out alot quicker. I have had one loaded to the gills, about 50 lbs from max, and it did not accelerate all that good but once you got it up to speed, it did well keeping it there.
I also noticed that after I bought my '01. I have been told I would get the most bang for the buck if I were to replace my factory turbo before I do any other mods. Ends up being about the same price as a chip, but with better results. (So I've been told).
By the way, the Sprinter - It's and inline 5 cylinder that winds out alot quicker. I have had one loaded to the gills, about 50 lbs from max, and it did not accelerate all that good but once you got it up to speed, it did well keeping it there.
Last edited by Full Throttle; Sep 15, 2006 at 08:55 AM.
