Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Is it a problem or just cold?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2009 | 07:51 AM
  #1  
ScottInTexas's Avatar
ScottInTexas
Thread Starter
|
Give me coffee - Or beer!
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
Club FTE Silver Member

Is it a problem or just cold?

Recently the truck will start but unless it sits at idle for a long time it will run very rough and, if pushed, will stall. I don't recall this being a problem last year. Besides, it hasn't been that cold. Some time ago I noticed hesitation to acceleration when driving it cold. And the other day it died while my wife was driving. She got it restarted and just sat on the side of the road for several minutes to get it warmed up. When it restarted it was very rough and smoothed out gradually. Is this a problem or is it just cold?

BTW we live in South Central Texas. We have seen temperatures down to 43 so far, but generally the morning temps are still in the 50's.

2002 F-350, 7.3L Powerstroke
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2009 | 07:55 AM
  #2  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
It hasn't been cold enough for temps to be an issue. If you leave it sitting all day and start it up "cold" in the afternoon, do you have any of the same symptoms when the temps are in the 70's?
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2009 | 11:01 AM
  #3  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Time to check the common stuff.
Valve cover wiring, etc.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2009 | 10:17 PM
  #4  
ScottInTexas's Avatar
ScottInTexas
Thread Starter
|
Give me coffee - Or beer!
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
Club FTE Silver Member

Afternoon seems to be no problem, unless it is a cold day. Since it is my wife and not me driving it I have to ask her all these questions. Let's just say it's not the cold. What is it then?
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2009 | 02:11 PM
  #5  
ScottInTexas's Avatar
ScottInTexas
Thread Starter
|
Give me coffee - Or beer!
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
Club FTE Silver Member

Still an issue

But I haven't checked the valve cover wiring either. My delay has been a result of working 7 hours from home. But here I am in College Station today and the issue has reared it's ugly head again. As my wife puts it; "It started losing power and running rough and white smoke came out." When I got to the store where she had pulled over the truck was idling (perhaps a little rough) and seemed fine. I drove it back to my daughters house (1.4 miles) and it seemed to be just fine. If it was the UVCH wouldn't the problem remain a problem even after it warmed up? But if it isn't the UVCH what else could it be?
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2009 | 03:06 PM
  #6  
duck fan's Avatar
duck fan
Because racetruck
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
Club FTE Silver Member

When is the last time the oil was changed?
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2009 | 04:49 PM
  #7  
ScottInTexas's Avatar
ScottInTexas
Thread Starter
|
Give me coffee - Or beer!
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
Club FTE Silver Member

Can't say. Since I'm out of town all week every week she does a lot on her own. I have to ask her when she gets in later. If it has been several thousand miles I'll do that tomorrow and see if there is a change. Either way, that has to be done. I can say that oil level is good and oil pressure is good.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #8  
gerald tompkins's Avatar
gerald tompkins
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: colorado
that sounds like the sameproblem i had with my truck last year.had to have the wiring harness under the valve covers changed.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 05:53 PM
  #9  
ScottInTexas's Avatar
ScottInTexas
Thread Starter
|
Give me coffee - Or beer!
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 7
From: Who cares?
Club FTE Silver Member

It's Fixed!

So I took it to the dealer for an oil change. Still don't know how that has anything to do with the problem, but I did it anyway. While there the tech calls and said he ran the vin and found that there were two recalls. Both of them are listed in this forum and I knew of one of them, but never got my wife to take the truck in. The Camshaft Position Sensor and a fused speed control harness. Well, well. Truck runs just fine. No more problem with the cold. No more power loss and no more headache. I should learn from this s**t. Probably wont though.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2009 | 06:00 PM
  #10  
duck fan's Avatar
duck fan
Because racetruck
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
Club FTE Silver Member

I have noticed the same thing with my Ex. When its cold out I can tell its time for an oil change without checking the miles just by how it starts int he morning. And I change every 3000 miles.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2009 | 03:53 AM
  #11  
Visseroth's Avatar
Visseroth
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 1
From: Northern Idaho
Just so you know, it's in the teens out here right now and yes I do plug my truck in at night but it only turns on the heater at 5am as I have it on a timer. When I start my truck it blows some bluish smoke for about 15 seconds then clears right up, doesn't run rough, so in short, the answer to your question is no, it shouldn't do that and I'm glad to hear you got it cleared up, nice thing is you got a free CPS out of it!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Clem's Cousin
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
2
Aug 24, 2016 02:01 PM
bthr22
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Nov 19, 2014 12:22 PM
JR2980
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Jun 15, 2014 08:39 PM
cementhead
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
24
Apr 1, 2013 11:04 PM
electrified66
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
88
Mar 8, 2012 05:56 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:55 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE