I have a 2003 f250 4x4 with the 4r100. while working in Pecos earlier this year I was on my way to the trailer one evening. doing between 30 and 40mph my truck suddenly started feeling like it was bogging down as if I had a heavy load behind me. after a couple seconds something popped and freed up so everything is back to normal. The next morning I was taking it easy on it doing about 55mph on hwy20 and slowly accelerating when it did it again, but this time it sounded like something broke and sounded like metal rattling around. I pulled across the ditch and checked but found no fluids on the ground or leaking. I drove it back to the trailer fine. I had it hauled home but now that I'm back in east TX I can not make it do it again. the truck drives and shifts fine. Fluids all look clean. before I tear it apart does anyone have any ideas?

 

I did use the search feature but couldn't find anything with my exact problem.

 

Does 4wd work properly? Might have been a hang up with a component of the 4wd system, like a u joint or the tcase. Possibly a hub?

 

the hubs are all fine. I will have to try the 4wd to see if that is working. Visual inspection of all joints seems fine. My dad thinks it is my torque converter. Is there any chance that would cause the issue when it seems to drive fine now? Also I had not used 4wd in a while when this happened and my hub locks were unlocked

 

I don't really know if you could hear those noises and have it be the torque converter and still drive normally. I hope mark chimes in with some advice hes really the one to ask. But i would see if 4wd works, check the front diff and Tcase fluid to see If there is anything going on with them. That's weird to me that it would happen randomly sound horrendous then go back to normal.

 

ok well as soon as I can I will get a 4 tires off the ground and check the 4 wheel drive. I find it odd that I could hear the metal break and rattle then find no signs of anything wrong.

 

Your dad is wrong. Sorry. It's not the torque converter. I think it's the engine. I've never seen a transmission do what your truck is doing. But I have seen engines do this.

 

thanks for the replies. Any idea where to start looking in the engine? my MAF, fuel pump and fuel filter are all only a couple years old. I had considered the engine but everything seems to be working fine. Also when driving it yesterday I noticed a loud hissing sound when applying the brakes it used to not have.

 

just bumping the thread

 

just to be clear it never acted like it was going to die. I just started slowing down as if a bunch of weight was being added to the truck. If I pushed the throttle nothing happened until something would pop and the truck would go.

 

Fuel pump and MAF are generally a replace when bad, however the fuel filter should be replaced occassionally I change mine every 20k. Not sure how many miles you've put on in a "couple years" but it may be time to replace that. Although I don't think that would create the issue you were having with the noise. Possibly the lack of power, but definitely not the noise. Did you check the 4wd system?

 

Look at the rear E brakes.

 

not sure when I will get a chance to have all 4 tires off the ground to check the 4wd system but I will as soon as I can. Sorry my fuel filter was only about 6 months old when this happened. The MAF and fuel pump is a couple years old. I will check all the brakes tomorrow after work. Thank yall for the help

 

My first thought was brakes, especially rear. Check for stuck caliper, rusted backing plate or e-brake failure.

 

as soon as I get a chance to check these things out I will report back. I just purchased a harley from my dad as well and work a lot of hours, along with family time so I have no time lol. Hopefully I can check it out within the next couple of days.