What causes the romps?
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
What causes the romps?
I experienced the romps yesterday morning. It was rather cold, down into the '50s.
What causes them, and is it a worrisome issue?
My truck is a stock 2000, with pillar gauges but no chip or other modifications.
I am running 15w-40 dino oil, reman stock (stearlship) HPOP about 20K ago. I get my fuel for the local truck stop Joker Joe's on I-95 rather than from the local gas stations. That ensures it is fresher, and usually cleaner too, by the way.
What causes them, and is it a worrisome issue?
My truck is a stock 2000, with pillar gauges but no chip or other modifications.
I am running 15w-40 dino oil, reman stock (stearlship) HPOP about 20K ago. I get my fuel for the local truck stop Joker Joe's on I-95 rather than from the local gas stations. That ensures it is fresher, and usually cleaner too, by the way.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
IMO, the true cause of the romps is the software.
There are a LOT of different versions of the engine control unit with different codes.
Most people here on FTE cure thier romps by running synthetic oil, but I don't think that the oil is the cause of the issue. Running synthetic is sort of a "band aid" cure that manages to hide the true cause of the romps.
I have a 1999 F550 with the software code VXY2 and it can be well below freezing with petroleum based oil, truck sat for a week.
Start it up and it has a glass smooth idle.
Never once have I ever heard it try to romp.
There are a LOT of different versions of the engine control unit with different codes.
Most people here on FTE cure thier romps by running synthetic oil, but I don't think that the oil is the cause of the issue. Running synthetic is sort of a "band aid" cure that manages to hide the true cause of the romps.
I have a 1999 F550 with the software code VXY2 and it can be well below freezing with petroleum based oil, truck sat for a week.
Start it up and it has a glass smooth idle.
Never once have I ever heard it try to romp.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
It's caused the the cold oil being a bit too thick to flow freely. It's not really worrisome, and often times if you let the GP's heat things up a bit longer they can be avoided. If it really bothers you, switch to a 5w50 synthetic oil and they should all but go away.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Dan's got faster fingers than me. Dan... out of curiosity how long do you let the GP's heat the motor? I didn't start my truck at all yesterday and after 1 min of GP's this morning I got about 5-6 romps before it smoothed out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
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From: Eaton, CO
I too am interested in the real cause of the romps. Why does your truck romp at 50 degrees and mine doesn't romp at 20 degrees? I've never experienced the romps. I'm running Delo 15W40. No romps at any temps yet. That leads me to believe it's not the oil. 
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
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I would have to agree with Jason. But whatever the cause is the 5/40 oil seems to mask the problem. My theory is the injectors or ipr????????
edit: glow plug system if romping at 50 would be good to check.
edit: glow plug system if romping at 50 would be good to check.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Parker, CO
Odd, 50 is not that cold and at that temp the oil should not cause it to romp. You might have bad GPR and GP's. How much smoke came out?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
A five count if it is above freezing and a three count on a summer morning.
If it's above 70 degrees, I don't even bother, just crank the starter and it fires.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
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From: Newport, WA
Good grief... I need to get serious about replacing my GPR. My plugs are fairly new but I think the relay isn't working correctly. On the real cold mornings I need to cycle the key a few times just to get it to fire.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
Excellent thoughts here!
I should have clarified.
The truck starts right up, with or without waiting for the GPR. Never any problem there.
The romps did not show up until I accelerated a bit, but the engine didn't romp under load. It only romped if I raised the RPMs up.
Under load, as in pulling out of the driveway empty, it revved up veerrryy slowly, but once it took off, all was well.
It only does this when the temps are cold.
50s is cold here in the Low Country. My pepper plants and okra still have flowers on them. I brought in what may be the last of them tonight, as we might get a freeze tonight.
Again, thanks for all the insight.
I should have clarified.
The truck starts right up, with or without waiting for the GPR. Never any problem there.
The romps did not show up until I accelerated a bit, but the engine didn't romp under load. It only romped if I raised the RPMs up.
Under load, as in pulling out of the driveway empty, it revved up veerrryy slowly, but once it took off, all was well.
It only does this when the temps are cold.
50s is cold here in the Low Country. My pepper plants and okra still have flowers on them. I brought in what may be the last of them tonight, as we might get a freeze tonight.
Again, thanks for all the insight.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
I'd say it's caused by the speed of the software's feedback loop. Under normal oil viscosity conditions, the software is slow enough to just regulate the pressure, but when the oil is thicker, the software is too fast for the conditions, and the pressures undershoot, and the loop isn't stable and out of control.
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