Powerstroke Seems Underpowered

I have a 2000 7.3PSD. Great truck. Has just over 41,000 miles, autotrans, 4x4. I regularly tow an 7000lbs trailer. Lately, it seems to have lost some power. The only mods the truck has is a Superchips "mild" chip, and a K&N air filter. Is there any way (inexpensive way) to open up or unchoke the truck? Get more power without tearing up the trans or burning up the motor? Anymore, the truck struggles to tow down the freeway at 70mph. And, the fuel economy is between 8 and 10mpg when towing. Thanks. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I would start by replacing your fuel filter. Clean your air filter. As for low on power can you go more into detail. Does this only happen when loaded or empty? does it have a rough idle ect........ When was your last oil change?
I have seen on strokes dirty or wrong oil used cause a low power problem.
I have aslo seen where the turbo maybe going south on you. Best be would to check the basics if this does not help take the stroke to the dealer have them
run the test on it may be minor and you can do it your self all your out is diag fee's. Also you stroke has 5/100000 mile warrenty on the motor it maybe covered depending on the insevice date.

 

I changed the fuel filter about 500 miles ago with a NAPA. I just cleaned the K&N about 200 miles ago. I run the DELO 400 5w-40 and it has about 2500 miles (of mostly towing) on it. I change the oil every 3000 miles. Actually, I cannot hear the turbo whine anymore. And it does not help that the clutch fan runs so much in this hot weather. I will have the motor diagnosed. I wonder if boost at the turbo is down?

And, I've noticed that power is different depending upon the where I get fuel . Chevron seems to deliver more power. Does this make sense? I appreciate the advice.

 

When I bought one of my Petes I was changing fuel filters every 1-3k miles till all the crap got flushed out of the tanks. Took about 6 months till I could go 6-10k miles on a set of filters.

 

IIRC, the turbo whine on the Fords is quite loud. If you can not hear the turbo anymore and you could always before than you probably found your problem. I would check in on the turbo to make sure it is putting out proper boost.

 

Key word. "Don't hear the turbo anymore" Check for a hose to be off or leaking in the turbo plumbing. A hose off/leaking will cause the turbo not to work properly. A lot of the time you can't hear it from inside the cab. Take a look. If a hose has blown off clean it with some solvent and spray the sealing surface with hairspray before reinstalling it. It won't blow off anymore.

 

My 2000 Ford tows like nothing is back there. You need to have your truck checked out, a scan and a road test by a shop that knows the 7.3l powerstroke.

 

If you don't mind sharing, what mods have you done? "chipped"? any transmissions problems? how heavy of a trailer do you tow? fuel mileage empty and towing? any advice appreciated. thanks.

 

I am running a EDGE Programer from BD performance. With BD porgraming. This is the best and easyest preformance improver I have ever used. I work in a diesel fuel repair shop and have been installing chips, turbos, exhaust, intercoolers, air filter systems, pumps and injectors on Ford, Dodge, and Gm pickups and light trucks plus motor homes for the past 15 years. I have a 2000 Ford f250 4x4 auto trans. 3.73 gears this programer a third generation Ford air filter{Donalson} 4 inch turbo back exhaust, extra trans cooler, an extra 2 quart aluminum trans pan, exhaust and trans temp gauges. I pull a 29 foot fifthwheel with 2 slides wights in loaded at about 11,500lb. Towing I get 11 to 13 mpg empty in town I get 15 to 17 mpg on the hiway I get 16 to 21 mpg. It all has to do with how heavy a foot I have.{Driving habits} I change my oil every 3500 miles with Delo400 15/40 fuel filter every other oil change. For me I only put about 8000 to 9000 miles a year and 1500 of that is vacation. This is my sixth Ford three gas three diesel. I have 44,000 on this truck had 36,000 miles when I bought it a year ago. Have had no problems.

 

My 2000 is between 14 and 16 in town, 17 and 20 on the highway (light loads) but only 8 to 10 when towing 8000lbs down the freeway at 70. She has a hard time holding 70 (nearly floored) when towing but the clutch fan is on which does suck hp and torque. But, it does seem to run the best when it's a 100f with a light load. It loves the heat. I've gotten 22mpg at 55mph with 1000lbs in the bed and temp of 105f. The Superchip chip works well as far as I can tell. the trans shifts great and power is better. I think I will get the motor diagnosed. thanks for the advice.

 

If you check your trubo and it is good, look at your oil. If you are using Rotella T, you may be experienceing oil foaming. I have a '99 and a 2000 and both trucks experienced low power when using rotella. Both trucks had rotella from day one and ran fine until about a year ago. Once I figured the problem out and switched to mobil delvac the trucks instantly changed for the better. Not sure if rotella's quality is down or what, but it seems to be a more common problem in trucks running rotella recently. The problem is that the psd high pressure injection pump is oil driven and when the oil gets hot, like in towing, it foams and causes the pump not to supply full pressure, thus losing power and fuel economy. Both trucks picked up about 2 mpg after changing to delvac.

 

There is an additive for the oil just for the foaming, then you can use any diesel rated oil. I use this with delo 400 15/40

 

I use the Delo 400 too. My mileage has been poor to say the least and power does seem down. Recently, and with a light load (300 lbs in bed and only me in cab), I have been getting 13 mpg at highway speeds of 55 to 60mph. A guy here at work has the same truck (except it's a long bed) and he gets 13mpg while towing a four horse trailer with horses!!! I get 8mpg while towing a mere 2500lbs camp trailer!!! It's been to a mechanic but they found nothing wrong.
I might have to take it out behind the barn.....

 

Are you sure that you were using rotell t oil? I have never heard of r0tella causing low power or breaking down and foaming. It has anti-foaming additives in it that prevents that. I have never heard of the common problem you are speaking of, actually, rotella is is oil of choice for millions of diesel owners as well as international.

As for the low pwer, if the oil is dirty, you will definitely experiance low power. Change your oil first to see if the problem goes away. Also dump a quart of diesel kleen grey bottle in the tank to clean your injectors(full tank). Dont worry, a quart wont hurt it at all.

Let us know the outcome, if those dont work, i may have another possible solution.waytogo

 

I have tried the Rotella T full syn 5w-40. I did not notice anything different. Ran it in the winter thinking it would light a bit better. I run the Delo 400 15w-40 and change the oil every 3000 miles. The poor economy and power is baffling to me. the mechanic did say that there was chance that a screen? under the fuel filter assembly? could be clogged?
I can't remember the exact specifics of his idea for a reason of the problem. I will call the guy back and perhaps get it in. He said it would be about $100 to tear into it.

 

Try this:

Drain the fuel bowl.
Remove the fuel filter
Close drain valve
Fill filter bowl up with diesel kleen "grey bottle"
Replace filter and cap

Drive for about 30 min.

If that doesnt do it, then you may have a loose wire harness under the valve cover. (easy fix)

Has it shut off on you at all?

 

as a matter of fact, the Cam Sensor went out back in August. I had it replaced by the dealer. real bummer to pull up to an intersection and have the motor die!

will running that straight "Kleen" into the engine be harmful?

if the "Kleen" method does not work, can you tell me which valve cover side to pull? Funny that the dealer's computer scan tool did not reveal a loose wire (if it's the problem)

 

Nah, running the "Kleen" wont hurt it at all. It helps tremendiously. If you have any dirty or clogged injectors or filter screens, it will clean it out. It also lubesthe system for you. There are a lot of guys including myself that fill the bowl with diesel kleen at every filter change.

There are no codes for a loose wire harness, the code usually, but not always, comes up as something wrong with the fuel delivery or injectors.. It a tossup on which side is loose.

Be careful at the stealership! They will have buying all kinds of stuff you dont need. Did you pull any codes? If you did let me know what they are.

When you put the pedel to the metal, do you notice any smoke?