This morning when I left the house it was about 25 degrees. I plugged in the block heater for only about 45 minutes just to see if I noticed anything. I started the truck and it ran for about 13 minutes before I drove out. About three times when I was in 2nd gear I thought it kind of sounded more like air blowing out the exhaust than the normal turbo whistle. I don't listen to it all that much so I kept listening and then thought maybe that was the normal sound when I'm driving by objects where the sound can bounce back to me. My exhaust comes out right below the bottom of the rear passenger side back door at the back of the door. Also, thought engine sounded a little lower tone in 2nd those few times. Could I have a hole in my exhaust headers? It really ran normal most of the time. Am I being hypersenstive because I'm about to go a big hauling trip Friday? Opinions/advice welcomed!

Lastly, I checked the tranny fluid after I drove about 30 minutes and then it sit for about 30 minutes. It was about halfway on the H part of the dip stick. Should I add or is that enough? I should have planned to change the tranny fluid before the trip but it only has about 15K miles on it and has good color. I have to drop the tranny pan to change it right? Seems very time consuming.

 

The noise you heard could be the EBPV closing on you with the cold weather. And the tranny fluid level sounds good. To change the fluid yes you need to drop the pan unless you have a drian plug. then youc an also drian the Torue converter thru its drain plug. A drain plug in the pan is the way to go.

 

For the exhaust sounds like your EBPV was going on and off. Thats the butterfly on the exhaust side of the trubo. With it being that cold outside that is normal.

 

to fast for me Tim

 

had same problem alst week and this morning, its more than likely the ebpv opening and closing

 

Relief... that sounds like what it is. What purpose does the EBPV serve? Man, this board has been such a help to me, I really appreciate everyone that has helped me. I probably wouldn't have got this truck if not for the board. Oh yeah, dumb question--what does OBS stand for?

 

its main purpose is to help the engine heat up faster when its cold. i noticed no difference when i unplugged mine. OBS stand for Old Body Style and yes this site is amazing

 

You can disconnect the EBPV, and no more sound, some has also gutted it. you can disconnect it here:

 

On cold days don't we want it to heat up more quickly?

 

Yes sir, thats the function, but if you are in cold time, plugg it again and thats it.

 

it doesnt work. Its one of those "In Theory" type things that ford did. It isnt worth a crap. The best thing that you can do is wire it to a toggle switch and back to your brake for an exhaust brake. Works decent, and sounds like a peterbuilt if your trying to stop a decent load. Its great for that... otherwise it was a waste of an engineers afternoon back in 1994......LOL

 

Ditto! not worth its weight!

 

X 3. Thats the reason because some had gutted it, and has less restriction in the exhaust, but if you have an automatic you could use it, like said above, to an exhaust brake, i have mine in that way and functions very well for me.

 

I do have an automatic and would like to use it as an exhaust brake. I'm sure it's an easy change but nothing seems to be easy for me.

 

Tndiesel, I dont think you cant DIY. Just search for Exhaust brake and you will find a lot of write ups, choose one and that all. OK.