Flaky 4wd
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Flaky 4wd
First things first... 2001, F-250, V10, 4wd, Crew Cab.
In the last year or so, I've noticed my 4wd becoming a little flaky. When cold it'll engage reliably, but once warmed up, it may or may not engage. I've noticed that when it won't engage, the heater vents change to blow out the defroster...
After some reading of other posts, this points me to a vacuum leak. I dropped the truck off at the dealership this morning. But was looking for some advice.
If this truly is a vacuum leak, how hard would it be to find the leak? Is there a diagram of all the vacuum hoses?
I don't have a garage that I can get it into for inspection or working on it, and its now "winter" in Minnesota. I'm handy, but when freezing find it easier to pay someone... Is this something that will be any easy/short fix if I decide to do it myself?
Thanks!
In the last year or so, I've noticed my 4wd becoming a little flaky. When cold it'll engage reliably, but once warmed up, it may or may not engage. I've noticed that when it won't engage, the heater vents change to blow out the defroster...
After some reading of other posts, this points me to a vacuum leak. I dropped the truck off at the dealership this morning. But was looking for some advice.
If this truly is a vacuum leak, how hard would it be to find the leak? Is there a diagram of all the vacuum hoses?
I don't have a garage that I can get it into for inspection or working on it, and its now "winter" in Minnesota. I'm handy, but when freezing find it easier to pay someone... Is this something that will be any easy/short fix if I decide to do it myself?
Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 93
From: VA/NH
Finding the vacuum leak on the 4wd system should be pretty easy. The diagnostic procedure is straight forward. If you search on this site, you should be able to come up with how to diagnose it. That will at least give you some knowledge to work with.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,093
Likes: 147
From: San Diego, CA
Here's my write-up from my vacuum leak:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post5194088
It's not that difficult. I bought a vacuum pump from Harbor Freight for $15 and went to town. Common vacuum leak locations are the hub connections from the wheel well, the seal on the hub itself, the rubber vacuum line that goes from the solenoid (on the top passenger side) down the plastic line below, the pump and the solenoid itself (just behind the passenger battery mounted to the fender wall under the hood). Since your blend door is working (albeit to defrost) I can assume your pump is working (you can hear it when it runs). I had a bad hose and solenoid. I also had a bad hub but that's a different story.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post5194088
It's not that difficult. I bought a vacuum pump from Harbor Freight for $15 and went to town. Common vacuum leak locations are the hub connections from the wheel well, the seal on the hub itself, the rubber vacuum line that goes from the solenoid (on the top passenger side) down the plastic line below, the pump and the solenoid itself (just behind the passenger battery mounted to the fender wall under the hood). Since your blend door is working (albeit to defrost) I can assume your pump is working (you can hear it when it runs). I had a bad hose and solenoid. I also had a bad hub but that's a different story.
I hope this helps and best of luck!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Well... They did find 2 (as they put it, very small) vacuum leaks. One in the vacuum motor, and the other at the 4wd switch. Unfortunately they didn't actually see the 4wd not working. So, who knows if this will actually fix it or not. They had to order the switch and motor connections, so I won't see if they fix things until next week sometime.
Although I did notice that last night it was much more reliable. Maybe from them fiddling with all the lines they cleaned out some crap that might have built up in the lines over time.
So, we'll see how well things work after they replace the parts. Thanks for the suggestions guys!
Although I did notice that last night it was much more reliable. Maybe from them fiddling with all the lines they cleaned out some crap that might have built up in the lines over time.
So, we'll see how well things work after they replace the parts. Thanks for the suggestions guys!
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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The 2 small (as the dealer put it) vacuum leaks that were found in the 4wd selector switch and the heater selector motor (I think), were the problem.
The 4wd has been working like a champ since they replaced the parts. Which is good since for some reason here in MN we're getting all this snow, and its not even Winter yet.
I think we're in for a long one...
The 4wd has been working like a champ since they replaced the parts. Which is good since for some reason here in MN we're getting all this snow, and its not even Winter yet.
I think we're in for a long one...
