power loss

[montanaF250]

I bought my 2004 F-250 a few weeks ago and have had no problems until a couple of days ago when I was hauling about a ton of fence posts up a pass and couldn't go more than 45 MPH with the truck floored, that made me think that there was a problem, but I thought it might have been the load and the hill. Yesterday I was driving back from Billings on a flat road and had a similar problem, I had it floored and couldn't go over 55 MPH (with a slight lurching), unloaded and on the flats. I pulled over, turned the truck off and let it sit about 30 seconds and turned it back on and went flying back onto the highway, it almost felt like I had too much power, or at least much more than I was used to. I have no idea what the problem is, but there definitely is something going on. Has anyone had a similar problem? Thanks in advance.

 

[bushpilot]

any bucking or smoking.

do you have any aftermarket gauges ? if not get 'em...itll help
a to diagnose these problems.

if i had to guess <and thats all anyone can do at this point> i'd
say its egr, ebp or vgt (unison ring) related.

get someone w/ a "CAN" enabled scanner to check it for codes.

 

[montanaF250]

There is a slight bucking, but no noticeable smoke. I don't have any aftermarket gauges, and the stock ones look normal. It has been running fine over the past couple of days, but I have to haul a load of cows to ND next week and don't want to break down. I guess I'll have to take it to the dealer and see what they say. Thanks for the help.

 

[bushpilot]

i can only suggest that you scan for codes and/or try disconnecting the
egr (engine off) then start it and drive it...see if the problem goes away...
but again w/out engine codes we can do nothing more than GUESS !

 

[ktpauley]

It could be the throttle plate sensor sticking in the closed position. That is IF your truck has one. That was a running change, and I don't know when it wasn't installed anyymore. Keith

 

[bushpilot]

It could be the throttle plate sensor sticking in the closed position. That is IF your truck has one. That was a running change, and I don't know when it wasn't installed anyymore. Keith

good point...but if it was ever flashed/updated it should have
been disabled.

 

[montanaF250]

I really should take it to the dealer, as I have no idea what the previous owner had done to it. I haven't had a problem since Friday, but I don't want to break down with a load of cows. Thanks for all the help, and I'll let y'all know what I find out.

 

[montanaF250]

On a mechanic's advice I ran some Powerstroke additive and it seemed to clear up the problem. 8 oz the first tank, 4 oz the next two. Too simple.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Dunno 'bout the additive but low power could be the VGT vanes acting up in the turbo. Actuator will go bad and the turbo will not build enough boost.

 

[bushpilot]

the additive wont fix anything...and that ford stuff is WAY over
priced <rebranded> stuff that will make your dealer rich and happy.