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

suddenly quieter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:09 AM
  #1  
Edkajo's Avatar
Edkajo
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
suddenly quieter?

I have a 03 F350/7.3 with 110,000. It seems to be running quieter over the past few days during normal shifting/ exceleration. It sounds the same as it has in the past at idle and remains smooth. I notice the noise level change only while driving. It also runs fine otherwise but the sudden change in the level of the engine noise has me wondering. Any comments on what may be going on? Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:35 AM
  #2  
CampSpringsJohn's Avatar
CampSpringsJohn
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Have you done anything to the engine? Have you put some bio-diesel fuel in it recently? Or perhaps you have fueled up at a different place. It could also be that the place you normally have been getting fuel just got rid of their winter fuel and now you are running regular diesel. Diesel fuel quality will make a difference with these engines in the way they sound.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:35 AM
  #3  
riverrat41's Avatar
riverrat41
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 1
From: Glen Rose,Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

Others can explain this better than me but there are certain times during decelerating that the pcm will not let the injectors fire so you really cannot hear the motor running.Once you hit the accelerator again the injectors go back to work.
What I think you are or not hearing is normal for these motors.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 06:53 AM
  #4  
just another truck's Avatar
just another truck
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
Have you done an oil change in the last couple days? Otherwise I would lean towards fuel also.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 07:00 AM
  #5  
Edkajo's Avatar
Edkajo
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
Thanks guys. I appreciate the input.

This is different than the normal quiet you get during level running or deceleration. It's an overall quieter acceleration once it warms up. I've only had a mix of bio fuel in it once while on vacation last year. I've done nothing to the engine except change the oil and filter. I've been filling at the same stations that I've been using right along. I've never noticed it before but hopefully it's just a different seasonal change in fuel mixture this year.

I'm a slow poster......
I changed the oil. Did I mess up on it somehow? Thanks again.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 07:26 AM
  #6  
CampSpringsJohn's Avatar
CampSpringsJohn
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Clean oil will quieten the engine down too.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 07:43 AM
  #7  
Edkajo's Avatar
Edkajo
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
I've had the truck 5yrs and never had this kind noise level difference after an oil change. I just remembered some new/improved labeling on the container of 15/40 oil that I used. Usually I ignore this stuff but it has claims of some new triple protection BS. It seems it may be a little different than the oil I've been using explaining the noise change, I guess.

As long as this is a good thing, I'm relieved and very much appreciate the help.
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 09:37 AM
  #8  
cavitation's Avatar
cavitation
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
My experience is that seemingly minor changes can make a noticeable change in how the engine performs and sounds. I use to worry about it as well but not so much anymore. I have noticed the following can make a difference: oil change, change between winter and summer diesel, fuel additives/cetane improver, outside temps and engine temp. Apparently I need to just turn up the radio and not worry so much
 
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 May 28, 2010 | 09:43 AM
  #9  
big poppa's Avatar
big poppa
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
You'd be suprised by just changing the oil how it will change the noise level of the engine, imo. I drive mine everyday so I know my truck to a tee. Remember, our injectors like clean fresh oil, its what helps fire them. A change in fuel like the guys said is another senario, bio quiets up things too..
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2010 | 12:06 PM
  #10  
Brother Les's Avatar
Brother Les
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Edkajo
I changed the oil. Did I mess up on it somehow? Thanks again.

As long as this is a good thing, I'm relieved and very much appreciate the help.
All is good.
There are times that my truck is so soft that I think that it is shut off... (going down a hill, ect.) I know that is not by the RPM guage. I guess it may be time for a muffler delete.
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2010 | 05:25 AM
  #11  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Did you change brands of oil? did you switch from dino to synthetic oil? that might make a difference...
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2010 | 08:46 AM
  #12  
HD Rider's Avatar
HD Rider
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 13
From: Glendive, MT
Originally Posted by Brother Les
All is good.
There are times that my truck is so soft that I think that it is shut off... (going down a hill, ect.) I know that is not by the RPM guage. I guess it may be time for a muffler delete.
When coasting down hill, ect. the PCM does shut the engine off, sort of. It shuts the fuel injectors down untill power is needed to maintain the desired rpm. This is just one of the reasons diesel engines are so efficient.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mikey_23_ny1
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
12
Mar 23, 2017 09:16 AM
pvdiag
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Mar 17, 2017 10:40 PM
Bite N Hold
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
30
Oct 21, 2016 05:21 PM
troverman
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Nov 21, 2015 05:43 AM
Boidster
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
6
Feb 9, 2007 07:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:18 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