Engine stalled on mountain pass
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Engine stalled on mountain pass
Last year I was eastbound on a mountain pass west of Walsenburg, CO. Part way up the pass at about 4500 feet altitude the engine started to sound like a giant leaf blower. This lasted about 30 seconds as the engine then lost all power and I pulled over and shut the engine off. After about 30 minutes I started the engine and pulled away like nothing happened. My dealer is stumped. This has only happened in the mountains. All analyzer readings are fine. Could the turbo pedestal valve be at fault? What happens if I unhook the pedestal valve?
2002 F350
7.3Liter
5000 lb trailer
2002 F350
7.3Liter
5000 lb trailer
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Fulltime RVer
Powerstroker099, If it does it again, and will still idle, don't shut it down right away. The turbo will be hot after pulling a grade, and its bearing needs continued oil flow if at all possible to keep it from coking up which can cause premature wear.
Your EBPV is closed via a signal from an oil temp sensor, and I think I saw that it should be open for oil temps above 167 deg F. If a bad sensor or whatever were to close the EBPV while climbing a grade, I think that might cause the symptoms you described.
A final thought, I think these trucks have a barometric sensor that feeds into the PCM to probably adjust the fueling for altitude changes, and it might control other functions as well. Since your problem has only occurred at mile high altitudes, this might be worth asking your dealer about.
Your EBPV is closed via a signal from an oil temp sensor, and I think I saw that it should be open for oil temps above 167 deg F. If a bad sensor or whatever were to close the EBPV while climbing a grade, I think that might cause the symptoms you described.
A final thought, I think these trucks have a barometric sensor that feeds into the PCM to probably adjust the fueling for altitude changes, and it might control other functions as well. Since your problem has only occurred at mile high altitudes, this might be worth asking your dealer about.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Middle Tennessee
Baro sensor is inside the PCM in our trucks. Are you thinking he had the EBV close on him? Could always do as you said and pull over long enough to disconnect the solenoid and see if that was it.
Post Fiend
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
Tenn,
Could the wooshing leaf blower sound be the fan kicking on when the engine temps get to high? Don't mean to insult anyones inteligence but I never heard that fan kick in untill pulling my 5'er through the rockies.
Powerstoke99, Was the truck still maintaining speed and just lost accleration or did it totally die out on you?
Could the wooshing leaf blower sound be the fan kicking on when the engine temps get to high? Don't mean to insult anyones inteligence but I never heard that fan kick in untill pulling my 5'er through the rockies.
Powerstoke99, Was the truck still maintaining speed and just lost accleration or did it totally die out on you?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Middle Tennessee
No insult taken here. I have never heard mine come on like others say they can. I pull about a 3k boat give or take and not very far at that. Will that cause the engine to lay down? That is why I was wondering about malfunctioning EBV but can't see how just going up a grade in warm weather. Fan sounds more like it. I just didn't know it could sap the engine that badly.
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Post Fiend
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
I've towed my 30' 5'er to Florida, South Dakota & Alabama, since I bought my PSD 2 years ago. Never heard that fan kick on. When travelling up the Rockies I thought I blew something when I first heard it come on, 
WOOOOOOSHHHH. It only comes on for a short while (30 seconds or less) then cuts off. I just cant remember how much it sapped the engine of power. I was traveling up I-40 past Denver up some 7% grades maintaining about 35 mph.
WOOOOOOSHHHH. It only comes on for a short while (30 seconds or less) then cuts off. I just cant remember how much it sapped the engine of power. I was traveling up I-40 past Denver up some 7% grades maintaining about 35 mph.
Last edited by white Buffalo; Feb 13, 2007 at 11:25 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Fulltime RVer
Tenn01PSD350, I'm not sure I'd try that EBPV disconnect maneuver with the engine running. I had a boost hose blow off half way up a mountain while towing, and while leaning into the engine compartment to reconnect it while idling to save the turbo, semi trucks kept trying to blow me the rest of the way in.
White Buffalo, Being a fulltime RVer, about 80% of my miles are towing a 14K fiver, and my fan comes on all the time. I think it steals about 40 hp according to US gear that sells the electric fan clutch, but except for the loud noise, I don't notice any particular loss of power. Come to think of it, the fan is so loud it reminds me of running up a Cessna 150 prior to take off!
Tenn01PSD350, Now that I know where it's located, can you tell me what the baro sensor is used for?
White Buffalo, Being a fulltime RVer, about 80% of my miles are towing a 14K fiver, and my fan comes on all the time. I think it steals about 40 hp according to US gear that sells the electric fan clutch, but except for the loud noise, I don't notice any particular loss of power. Come to think of it, the fan is so loud it reminds me of running up a Cessna 150 prior to take off!
Tenn01PSD350, Now that I know where it's located, can you tell me what the baro sensor is used for?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
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From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by ernesteugene
Tenn01PSD350, Now that I know where it's located, can you tell me what the baro sensor is used for?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Sioux Falls, SD
Originally Posted by ernesteugene
I think it steals about 40 hp according to US gear that sells the electric fan clutch, but except for the loud noise, I don't notice any particular loss of power. Come to think of it, the fan is so loud it reminds me of running up a Cessna 150 prior to take off!
Goof to know info, thanks.
Hopefully this is the original poster's issue and a problem solved.
