7.3 sensor problem in cold weath
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
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7.3 sensor problem in cold weath
Hello forum!
I have a 2002, Excursion with a 7.3L and 153,000 miles. The truck is a champ, but this last snow-fall two weeks ago, I'd say it was about 30 degrees, the truck wouldn't go over 30 MPH initially, then as it warmed up it wouldn't go over 45 then finally when the engine was at operating temperature it ran normally. It ran normally after it reached standard operating temperature.
I suspect a sensor needs to be replaced, but before I took it into Ford I figured I would check with you guys first.
Thanks,
Russell
I have a 2002, Excursion with a 7.3L and 153,000 miles. The truck is a champ, but this last snow-fall two weeks ago, I'd say it was about 30 degrees, the truck wouldn't go over 30 MPH initially, then as it warmed up it wouldn't go over 45 then finally when the engine was at operating temperature it ran normally. It ran normally after it reached standard operating temperature.
I suspect a sensor needs to be replaced, but before I took it into Ford I figured I would check with you guys first.
Thanks,
Russell
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
Hi Russell,
Welcome to FTE.
These trucks hold a lot of oil, and performance tends to suffer when they are cold..it takes a while to get all of that cold oil warmed up and circulated.
That being said, what you describe is not normal...but I would suspect oil level first before going into anything else. What does your oil look like, and have you changed it since you bought the truck?
Have you changed your fuel filter lately? In cold weather, depending on the quality of fuel, untreated fuel can freeze, sometimes causing fuel restrictions through the fuel filter and various other places.
Also any Service Engine Soon light? Or is the OD light flashing on the column shift?
Welcome to FTE.
These trucks hold a lot of oil, and performance tends to suffer when they are cold..it takes a while to get all of that cold oil warmed up and circulated.
That being said, what you describe is not normal...but I would suspect oil level first before going into anything else. What does your oil look like, and have you changed it since you bought the truck?
Have you changed your fuel filter lately? In cold weather, depending on the quality of fuel, untreated fuel can freeze, sometimes causing fuel restrictions through the fuel filter and various other places.
Also any Service Engine Soon light? Or is the OD light flashing on the column shift?
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Hi Russell,
Welcome to FTE.
These trucks hold a lot of oil, and performance tends to suffer when they are cold..it takes a while to get all of that cold oil warmed up and circulated.
That being said, what you describe is not normal...but I would suspect oil level first before going into anything else. What does your oil look like, and have you changed it since you bought the truck?
Have you changed your fuel filter lately? In cold weather, depending on the quality of fuel, untreated fuel can freeze, sometimes causing fuel restrictions through the fuel filter and various other places.
Also any Service Engine Soon light? Or is the OD light flashing on the column shift?
Welcome to FTE.
These trucks hold a lot of oil, and performance tends to suffer when they are cold..it takes a while to get all of that cold oil warmed up and circulated.
That being said, what you describe is not normal...but I would suspect oil level first before going into anything else. What does your oil look like, and have you changed it since you bought the truck?
Have you changed your fuel filter lately? In cold weather, depending on the quality of fuel, untreated fuel can freeze, sometimes causing fuel restrictions through the fuel filter and various other places.
Also any Service Engine Soon light? Or is the OD light flashing on the column shift?
1. No service engine light has come on.
2. In January, I had a major service done to the truck: New fuel and air filter, all fluids checked, etc.
3. I've had this truck for 4 years and have driven it in much colder weather than what occured earlier this month. I change the oil in her every 3000-4000 miles. She's babied.
4. You are correct that it may have been the fuel. I will check how she runs next time I'm with her.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
Welcome Russell,
Lisa's got you going in the right direction. I thought of one other thing. In the cold, our trucks have an EBPV (Exhaust Back Pressure Valve) that closes and puts a temporary load on the engine to get it to warm up quicker. If you take off with this valve still closed, then your truck will act like its dragging an anchor behind it. I know if I try to leave on a real cold day - in the single digits - without letting the truck warm up for a few minutes, it will act that way. 30 degrees it shouldn't be very sluggish over a few minutes or so. Just thinking out loud.
Here's another thread with some good tips on cold weather operation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ke-thread.html
Lisa's got you going in the right direction. I thought of one other thing. In the cold, our trucks have an EBPV (Exhaust Back Pressure Valve) that closes and puts a temporary load on the engine to get it to warm up quicker. If you take off with this valve still closed, then your truck will act like its dragging an anchor behind it. I know if I try to leave on a real cold day - in the single digits - without letting the truck warm up for a few minutes, it will act that way. 30 degrees it shouldn't be very sluggish over a few minutes or so. Just thinking out loud.
Here's another thread with some good tips on cold weather operation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ke-thread.html
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Welcome Russell,
Lisa's got you going in the right direction. I thought of one other thing. In the cold, our trucks have an EBPV (Exhaust Back Pressure Valve) that closes and puts a temporary load on the engine to get it to warm up quicker. If you take off with this valve still closed, then your truck will act like its dragging an anchor behind it. I know if I try to leave on a real cold day - in the single digits - without letting the truck warm up for a few minutes, it will act that way. 30 degrees it shouldn't be very sluggish over a few minutes or so. Just thinking out loud.
Here's another thread with some good tips on cold weather operation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ke-thread.html
Lisa's got you going in the right direction. I thought of one other thing. In the cold, our trucks have an EBPV (Exhaust Back Pressure Valve) that closes and puts a temporary load on the engine to get it to warm up quicker. If you take off with this valve still closed, then your truck will act like its dragging an anchor behind it. I know if I try to leave on a real cold day - in the single digits - without letting the truck warm up for a few minutes, it will act that way. 30 degrees it shouldn't be very sluggish over a few minutes or so. Just thinking out loud.
Here's another thread with some good tips on cold weather operation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ke-thread.html
Thank you PonyBoy for the link.
The problem is that something different has occured, way out of the norm, and that is indicative of a problem that goes beyond just letting the vehicle warm up for a few minutes.
It felt like either the engine wouldn't rev high or that said rev's would be translated to the transmission.
Now I may be wrong, but either some temp sensative valve isn't working properly, or come chip has been adversely affected by the temp.
Who knows, you guys may be correct, it's just that I've never seen that problem before.
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
1. No service engine light has come on.
2. In January, I had a major service done to the truck: New fuel and air filter, all fluids checked, etc.
3. I've had this truck for 4 years and have driven it in much colder weather than what occured earlier this month. I change the oil in her every 3000-4000 miles. She's babied.
4. You are correct that it may have been the fuel. I will check how she runs next time I'm with her.
2. In January, I had a major service done to the truck: New fuel and air filter, all fluids checked, etc.
3. I've had this truck for 4 years and have driven it in much colder weather than what occured earlier this month. I change the oil in her every 3000-4000 miles. She's babied.
4. You are correct that it may have been the fuel. I will check how she runs next time I'm with her.
Hmm...have there ever been cases when an EBPV sticks on even after throttle is applied? That'd definitely be interesting.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
No need to apologize, just passing along the information. I should have stated as such in the initial post.
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Elder User
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From: Reno nv
Kwikordead had that i believe, just before he wired his open.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
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From: Kiowa CO
Thank you PonyBoy for the link.
The problem is that something different has occured, way out of the norm, and that is indicative of a problem that goes beyond just letting the vehicle warm up for a few minutes.
It felt like either the engine wouldn't rev high or that said rev's would be translated to the transmission.
Now I may be wrong, but either some temp sensative valve isn't working properly, or come chip has been adversely affected by the temp.
Who knows, you guys may be correct, it's just that I've never seen that problem before.
The problem is that something different has occured, way out of the norm, and that is indicative of a problem that goes beyond just letting the vehicle warm up for a few minutes.
It felt like either the engine wouldn't rev high or that said rev's would be translated to the transmission.
Now I may be wrong, but either some temp sensative valve isn't working properly, or come chip has been adversely affected by the temp.
Who knows, you guys may be correct, it's just that I've never seen that problem before.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Russell, you need to clean out the exhaust backpressure sensor.
This sensor is key to proper operation and function of the exhaust backpressure valve, and works to provide the PCM with information on the amount of backpressure generated. In response the PCM will adjust the opening and closing of the valve until the engine reaches operating temperatures.
The exhaust backpressure sensor is located on the front of the engine just behind the idler pully. Under the sensor is a steel tube that leads to the front of the passenger's side manifold. This steel tube gets clogged with soot, and plugs the tube preventing the sensor from reading the backpressure. If the sensor can't see higher backpressure, the valve will stay closed even when accelerating. The problem goes away once the engine oil is up to operating temperatures (over 160 something degrees). This is why you can't get up to speed, and also why the truck runs normal once it's up to operating temps.
Here is a link to a guide that will help you clean out that sensor tube: http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/ebps
This sensor is key to proper operation and function of the exhaust backpressure valve, and works to provide the PCM with information on the amount of backpressure generated. In response the PCM will adjust the opening and closing of the valve until the engine reaches operating temperatures.
The exhaust backpressure sensor is located on the front of the engine just behind the idler pully. Under the sensor is a steel tube that leads to the front of the passenger's side manifold. This steel tube gets clogged with soot, and plugs the tube preventing the sensor from reading the backpressure. If the sensor can't see higher backpressure, the valve will stay closed even when accelerating. The problem goes away once the engine oil is up to operating temperatures (over 160 something degrees). This is why you can't get up to speed, and also why the truck runs normal once it's up to operating temps.
Here is a link to a guide that will help you clean out that sensor tube: http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/ebps
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Russell, you need to clean out the exhaust backpressure sensor.
This sensor is key to proper operation and function of the exhaust backpressure valve, and works to provide the PCM with information on the amount of backpressure generated. In response the PCM will adjust the opening and closing of the valve until the engine reaches operating temperatures.
The exhaust backpressure sensor is located on the front of the engine just behind the idler pully. Under the sensor is a steel tube that leads to the front of the passenger's side manifold. This steel tube gets clogged with soot, and plugs the tube preventing the sensor from reading the backpressure. If the sensor can't see higher backpressure, the valve will stay closed even when accelerating. The problem goes away once the engine oil is up to operating temperatures (over 160 something degrees). This is why you can't get up to speed, and also why the truck runs normal once it's up to operating temps.
Here is a link to a guide that will help you clean out that sensor tube: http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/ebps
This sensor is key to proper operation and function of the exhaust backpressure valve, and works to provide the PCM with information on the amount of backpressure generated. In response the PCM will adjust the opening and closing of the valve until the engine reaches operating temperatures.
The exhaust backpressure sensor is located on the front of the engine just behind the idler pully. Under the sensor is a steel tube that leads to the front of the passenger's side manifold. This steel tube gets clogged with soot, and plugs the tube preventing the sensor from reading the backpressure. If the sensor can't see higher backpressure, the valve will stay closed even when accelerating. The problem goes away once the engine oil is up to operating temperatures (over 160 something degrees). This is why you can't get up to speed, and also why the truck runs normal once it's up to operating temps.
Here is a link to a guide that will help you clean out that sensor tube: http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/ebps
I'll be with the truck in a little less than 3 weeks and I'll let you and everyone else know how it works out.
Thank you again!
Smokin
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,849
Likes: 0
Curtis, I am going to start calling you Mr. Pocket now.Generally, if there is a problem with the transmission, TC, or Vehicle Speed Sensor, the truck will set off a code which causes the OD light to flash.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
OK when my valve cover conector been disconect check engine light flashing and OD.This causing same truck sometimes driving 30mph and sometimes running good.When is cold plastic take shorter and engine warm up plastic expound then pop out.Check any codes.
New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
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From: British Columbia
Thanks Lisa, that makes a lot of sense to me now. i haven't been using my truck my dad has and was saying the OD light came on and when i used my evolution the other day i got a code for the VSS.
I love this detective work and i must say a big thank you to everyone for your knowledge and help. I had my truck at a local ford dealer here in montreal , Quebec and they didn't figure things out on my truck.
you are all a God send!!!!
Bobbi
I love this detective work and i must say a big thank you to everyone for your knowledge and help. I had my truck at a local ford dealer here in montreal , Quebec and they didn't figure things out on my truck.
you are all a God send!!!!
Bobbi