No power - misses when cold
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
No power - misses when cold
A couple of weeks ago my F350 6.0 started having a misfiring issue when cold. It will start OK, but until it warms up, the truck will have very low power and feel like it is missing on at least one cylinder. The problem is getting worse as the outside temp is getting colder each day. I tried replacing the oil and filters (oil and fuel), and the Bully Dog Outlook does not show any codes. I am guessing it is a glow plug failure, but am not sure how to diagnose and repair. Can anyone point me to further info or maybe have an other thought on what to look for?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
I will try that tonight, though I have had this truck for three winters without ever needing to use the heater until the dead of winter. Something definitely has "changed" under the hood recently.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Go to tech folder instructions there.
If you see a big carbon build in the plenum -- 9/10 you got a carbon particle trapped in the valves that is causing the problem.
Use the method I outlined to fix it.
After cleaning - italian tune up it several times.
If it loses power completely (cant even get above 5mph..)
Pull over, neutral, rev to 3,000 rpm repeatedly
It should blow the carbon bit out.
If you see a big carbon build in the plenum -- 9/10 you got a carbon particle trapped in the valves that is causing the problem.
Use the method I outlined to fix it.
After cleaning - italian tune up it several times.
If it loses power completely (cant even get above 5mph..)
Pull over, neutral, rev to 3,000 rpm repeatedly
It should blow the carbon bit out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Missing on a diesel likely means it's not getting fuel injected in the right amounts at the right times. Which means you may have a Fuel Injector Control Module (FICM) preparing to go bad, or a low fuel pressure condition.
The only way to find out is to do some testing.
Here is a good link on testing your FICM.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...procedure.html
And one on repairing it if you're so inclined.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...your-ficm.html
Fuel pressure needs to be tested at the fuel pressure test port on the side of the upper fuel bowl. This is a bit more difficult as you need a pressure gauge designed for testing fuel pressure and the right connector size. Fuel pressure should be greater than 45 PSI at all times.
Also, I see you didn't mention checking for codes. The Glow Plug Control module and the FICM will both set codes if it sees problems with the glow plugs or the injectors. Lack of codes doesn't mean there is no problems, but codes can help point you in the right direction.
The only way to find out is to do some testing.
Here is a good link on testing your FICM.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...procedure.html
And one on repairing it if you're so inclined.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...your-ficm.html
Fuel pressure needs to be tested at the fuel pressure test port on the side of the upper fuel bowl. This is a bit more difficult as you need a pressure gauge designed for testing fuel pressure and the right connector size. Fuel pressure should be greater than 45 PSI at all times.
Also, I see you didn't mention checking for codes. The Glow Plug Control module and the FICM will both set codes if it sees problems with the glow plugs or the injectors. Lack of codes doesn't mean there is no problems, but codes can help point you in the right direction.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
Missing on a diesel likely means it's not getting fuel injected in the right amounts at the right times. Which means you may have a Fuel Injector Control Module (FICM) preparing to go bad, or a low fuel pressure condition.
The only way to find out is to do some testing.
Here is a good link on testing your FICM.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...procedure.html
And one on repairing it if you're so inclined.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...your-ficm.html
Fuel pressure needs to be tested at the fuel pressure test port on the side of the upper fuel bowl. This is a bit more difficult as you need a pressure gauge designed for testing fuel pressure and the right connector size. Fuel pressure should be greater than 45 PSI at all times.
Also, I see you didn't mention checking for codes. The Glow Plug Control module and the FICM will both set codes if it sees problems with the glow plugs or the injectors. Lack of codes doesn't mean there is no problems, but codes can help point you in the right direction.
The only way to find out is to do some testing.
Here is a good link on testing your FICM.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...procedure.html
And one on repairing it if you're so inclined.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...your-ficm.html
Fuel pressure needs to be tested at the fuel pressure test port on the side of the upper fuel bowl. This is a bit more difficult as you need a pressure gauge designed for testing fuel pressure and the right connector size. Fuel pressure should be greater than 45 PSI at all times.
Also, I see you didn't mention checking for codes. The Glow Plug Control module and the FICM will both set codes if it sees problems with the glow plugs or the injectors. Lack of codes doesn't mean there is no problems, but codes can help point you in the right direction.
I did check out the FICM articles in the faq, and this diagnosis/repair would be beyond me, as I don't have the equipment or pressure test tools. I did mention that there were no codes, except an occational U3F00, which I cannot find the meaning for. Either way, I am still under 80k miles, so maybe a trip to the dealer for a warranty item is in order for this issue.
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Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
Go to tech folder instructions there.
If you see a big carbon build in the plenum -- 9/10 you got a carbon particle trapped in the valves that is causing the problem.
Use the method I outlined to fix it.
After cleaning - italian tune up it several times.
If it loses power completely (cant even get above 5mph..)
Pull over, neutral, rev to 3,000 rpm repeatedly
It should blow the carbon bit out.
If you see a big carbon build in the plenum -- 9/10 you got a carbon particle trapped in the valves that is causing the problem.
Use the method I outlined to fix it.
After cleaning - italian tune up it several times.
If it loses power completely (cant even get above 5mph..)
Pull over, neutral, rev to 3,000 rpm repeatedly
It should blow the carbon bit out.
Are you speaking of the EGR cleaning tech post? If not, could you be more specific. I am not sure I found one one plenum cleaning you are referring to.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
If you still have 5 year/100k mile warranty left, I would definitely take it in and have it looked at. There is no point spending a lot of time trying to find a problem that a tech can probably find easily. Especially when you're messing around with symptoms that could mean a bad FICM, or low fuel pressure, both of which can damage injectors.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
Turns out I am a couple of months out of my 5/100000 year warranty (purchased in Aug 2005), even though I only have 78k miles. Figures...
Anyway, first dealer wants 2 hours ($198) to diagnose, second wants $119 to diagnose, then the cost of the actual repairs will be added. Any ideas what glow plugs, or glow plug controller or other sensor might cost for all this? If they tell me what the issues are, am I better off getting the parts and fixing myself??? Anyone been through this can shed some advise. I just always feel like I am getting screwed at the dealer, and I don't know a good diesel mechanic in the Wrentham/Foxboro Massachusetts area. If anyone has any recommendations, that would be good.
Thanks
Anyway, first dealer wants 2 hours ($198) to diagnose, second wants $119 to diagnose, then the cost of the actual repairs will be added. Any ideas what glow plugs, or glow plug controller or other sensor might cost for all this? If they tell me what the issues are, am I better off getting the parts and fixing myself??? Anyone been through this can shed some advise. I just always feel like I am getting screwed at the dealer, and I don't know a good diesel mechanic in the Wrentham/Foxboro Massachusetts area. If anyone has any recommendations, that would be good.
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Sounds more like a case of cranky injectors to me, which may or may not throw a code for a while. It would not hurt to take it in and let them diagnose and reflash it if it hasn't been done since nov/dec of 2009. The reflash might do wonders for it. Definitely can't hurt. Make sure fuel pressure is on the diagnosis list also as it's a "manual" test---not done through the OBDII port like ECM/TCM/FICM.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Plainville, MA
Sounds more like a case of cranky injectors to me, which may or may not throw a code for a while. It would not hurt to take it in and let them diagnose and reflash it if it hasn't been done since nov/dec of 2009. The reflash might do wonders for it. Definitely can't hurt. Make sure fuel pressure is on the diagnosis list also as it's a "manual" test---not done through the OBDII port like ECM/TCM/FICM.
There are no codes currently, except that I pulled to plug off the EGR, which is now showing a code. By the way, the EGR disconnect did not solve the problem, but the fuel consumption appears to be less by a MPG or so now.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Sounds more like a case of cranky injectors to me, which may or may not throw a code for a while. It would not hurt to take it in and let them diagnose and reflash it if it hasn't been done since nov/dec of 2009. The reflash might do wonders for it. Definitely can't hurt. Make sure fuel pressure is on the diagnosis list also as it's a "manual" test---not done through the OBDII port like ECM/TCM/FICM.
Replace 2-3 or more and fixes the problem every time.
Had the FICM replaced, did nothing.
Reflashes are worthless, but they do them anyways. Which ticks me off because after the last time--replaced 3 injectors--my turbo lag has increased and my power has been reduced. I am now starting to experience the same conditions as you are once again, even though the above 3 injectors were just replaced in June.
Nothing to do with cold weather, just crappy injectors. I used to be able to start mine from dead cold and run a fire call no problem. Last year I would be a half mile from home before I could get over 25. So hopefully it wasn't a real emergency.
Been running synthetic 5W40 for a couple years and no difference.
I'll say it again, crappy injectors.
Are there aftermarket injectors that don't suck?