I've always been a little disapointed with my latest Excursion, but couldn't complain too much because she runs pretty good. But just recently she has been running really hot.

I took a trip from Austin, TX to Las Vegas, NV towing my sons little Chevy Aveo out and then empty coming back. Both ways whenever over 2500 or so, regardless of incline or lack of, the temp guage would jump up over 1000. Even just the truck on flat straights if I push on the pedal I can see temps up to 1200 to 1300. Getting up to speed feels like she is draggin her feet as well. Just feels like she is really working hard to get going.

I always thought the turbo was bad due to terrible lag, but many dealers always said it was working properly. And I am far from a qualified mechanic. I am looking for suggestions and problem points I can suggest looking at when I find a shop to take it to later this week. I do not want to take it to a dealer. If it is a bad turbo, I figure a shop can replace it with a little better one for the same price as a stock one from the dealer.

I'm new to the Austin, TX area so if any of you guys live around here and can suggest a good aftermarket diesel shop, I would appreciate it!

My Excursion is a 2004 6.0 (picked up Oct. 04). Has Airaid intake, 4" exhaust, Hypertech box on 50hp tow setting, 20" wheels, tires - 305/55/R20 BFG AllTerrains. Have never had any major mechanical malfuntions with this truck.

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

-Derek

 

DS3,

I am guessing by those Temps 1000-1300F you are talking pre-turbo EGT's. If that is the case, with a Hypertech Inline fuel module you are running these are pretty normal temps when you look at the ambient air temperature and you have your foot in it if you are pulling those kind of RPM's, especially with 20-inch tires. Since you have an EGT gauge (which is a good thing) you need to pay attention to it and lift up on the accelerator a little to let the EGT drop. The Hypertech Inline Fuel module makes this worse as it alters the fueling strategy without the PCM being aware of the changes so the PCM is unable to use the safety strategies that where programmed in by FMC.

FYI Inline Fuel modules and the 6.0 do not play well together, they are known to lift the heads and trash the Torqueshift as the PCM, TCM & FICM are unaware of the changes made by the Hypertech.


The factory wheels and tires where 265/75/R16 and you changed to 305/55/R20.

The factory wheels where 31.65" tall and had a diameter of 99.43"

The 305/55/R20 are 33.21" tall and have a diameter of 104.33"

The new tires and wheels are 1.56" taller and 4.90" larger in diameter. This causes the speedometer to read slow by 4.69%. It also changes the factory 3.73 gears to 3.55 gears and drops the RPM's by 4.69% from factory specs.

If you have not re-geared for the larger wheels and tires the truck is working harder off the line than it did when stock.

 

Look here for a guy that goes by Storm. He's from the Austin, Tx. area and can give you the heads up. There are several here from that area. I moved from there just about a year ago. DO NOT go to Mac Haik in Georgetown.

FWIW--I don't think you have a temp problem. Towing and as hot as it is that's not outrageous at all. Keep the bugs washed out of the front of your cooling system as they are pretty intense in Texas, and make sure your air filter is kept clean. Blackhat hit it pretty much on the head about the hypertech and larger tires. They will make your engine work harder, so just watch your gauge.

 

I think you mean circumference....

 

Thanks guys. My temp sensor is post turbo, and even when the module is turned off, I am still getting those temps, even when not towing. I have had the wheels and tires for most of the life of the truck, and I understand what blackhat is saying, but I am definitely experiencing worse performance now than before. I've got 85K on the X right now.

 

It's a common misstatement, but his purpose was clear... I do it all the time. For reference, here's a pretty picture :-) Thanks for being comprehensive.

 

Yep my bad, you are correct, i was tired when i typed that.

 

I have larger tires such as 35" Mickeys on 20" mags. I have not adjusted/recalibrated for the larger tires. I tow (mind you only 6,000lbs) on our steep rocky mountain grades with stock tuning maintaining 110km/hr and never passed 1250 on the EGT.

My guess as advised above by others here - the hypertech box is "fooling" the computer to much. Try uninstaling the box and see what EGT temps you get. If little to no change in EGT as a result in factory settings then something else is going on and consider bringing it to Ford.

FYI - There is a mutual consensus in this forum based on experience, boxes (in line fuel modules) are a bad idea for the 6L. Make a search on this forum if you wish. I would suggest considering getting rid of the box if you care about the life and durabiity of your engine. Computer programs and in particular SCTII with custom tunes are preferred as these programmers modify the engine and trans as a system to imporve power and efficiency and stay within safe paramters of what the engine and tranny was orginally designed for. Of course with a reasonable and responsible driver.

 

If you are seeing 1200+ post turbo, you are having big problems. You will probably be looking for a new turbo soon. With 85k on the motor you are still under the factory warranty period. Whether or not the factory covers the repair with your air intake and hypertech installed is another matter.