I have a 2001 350 7.3 diesel. Use it to pull gooseneck horse trailer. But it lacks power. My smaller gas truck pulls better. It is an automatic which I don't care for. Also if you are not in overdrive, it runs really rough. Any suggestions. Thanks.

 

hey welcome to ford trucks. Just to let you know this is for 04-07 F-150's. You need to post in the diesel section. I'm sure you will find alot of helpful info.

 

Thread moved to the 7.3 Forum - and WELCOME to FTE!

 

Welcome to FTE.
From your (rather short ) description of the driveability issues your are experiencing, I recommend that you remove both of the valve covers and make sure that all the plugs are fully seated.
The 7.3 has a history of the injector wiring harnesses coming unplugged after a while and then they start to misfire.

 

Your PSD should run circles around your gasser. Can you give more details of the problem. Any smoke while pulling? Engine misfire? Better when cold or warm out? gradually getting worse or always like this?

Welcome to FTE. Don't give up, we can help you out.

 

What they said^^^^ Welcome to FTE

 

What about a CEL?? I think you need to get your codes (both current and STORED codes) read.

 

Hello, this is CMP again,
I'm new at this so hopefully I'll get this posted in the right place this time. I'm also not very mechanical so forgive me if I'm not able to get specific. Just keep after me. So far you guys are really great...Thanks!!!
The truck was a one person owned. It had 94,000 miles when I got it. Wish it were a manual but had trouble finding one with decent miles. It is a crewcab/longbed. First off I replaced the ball joints. It also had some steering issues(delayed turn response and hard to keep in lane) and they found a bent rod or spring or ? up front. steering dampner/?. Helped alot but still feels a bit loose in the front end and feels heavy. It runs smooth until I put it out of overdrive and then it is rough. Some hesitation, misses, engine doesn't sound consistent, and a bit jerky. There is no black smoke. Seems to start and run good in hot weather, although at start in cold weather it does jump or miss for a couple seconds then it jerks and lines out.
When I've hauled it up long steep hauls it runs ok and then will suddenly sound like it is roaring, like a background fan and it will start to pull rough and then that stays and won't go away. I'm ready to take it back into shop again.
I did have trouble with a faulty cam sensor that kept telling the truck to shut down. Just had that replaced when I took it up mountain and now the other. Hope I can get everything lined out.
Thanks sooo much, carla

 

Carla, the roaring probably is the fan clutch engaging to cool the engine as it heats up on a long pull. It sounds like a small jet is under the hood and that is normal and it should go away when you pull on the level or as the engine cools back down a little.

The jerk at start in colder weather is common. Some folks call it the romps. Mine will do that when it is real cold, but not until we are in the lower 20's or teens in temp. Many folks run synthetic oil in the winter to help eliminate that.

94,000 isn't a lot of miles for this engine and your issues are probably easily fixed. I'll leave the other diagnosis to other here who are better at that stuff than me.

 

So no CEL (Check Engine Light)??

 

The engaging of the fan clutch will kill some of your power too, definitely noticeable.

I'm a little concerned about the not running right when not in OD. Is there a SES light on at all?