First problem

[Badunit]

Had the first real problem with my truck today. It lost power and started bucking when going down the highway. Idles fine and runs okay at low throttle. Was a little worried at first that I'd be stranded on the highway with nowhere to pull off and no way to get out (shoulders are all full of snow at least 4-5 ft deep) but I was able to limp to work. Hopefully it's something simple. I've also had oil dripping from the bell housing lately so I guess I'll get that fixed while it's in the shop.

 

[Rosco]

Badunit,



I would look at the fuel filter. Those symptoms sound like your starving for fuel. Even if you have low miles on the filter you could have gotten a bad load of fuel and clogged the filter. Also, please keep us advised on the oil leak results.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I had the oil thing with mine too. It's just the short breather tube dripping oil and the wind slamming it back against the bell housing. They removed the drip bottle for 03 and it causes a mess. If you get it up on a lift you can see the obvious trail.

I'll bet yours looks something like this?

 

[dslcummins]

I have a friend that has a new powerstroke, he told me a friend of his that has a powerstroke, told him to change the fuel filter and it would run better. He changed it and he claims it made a big difference.

 

[Badunit]

The oil drips I have seen have been very clean oil so, at first blush, I suspect the transmission. But, then again, I first noticed it when I was inspecting for engine oil leaks the day after I changed my oil so it could be engine oil. There is a sheen of oil on the outside of the bell housing too, similar to the photo, so I guess it could be from the tube. I haven't noticed oil on anything else other than the bell housing but it's worth another look. I had planned on waiting until it was more obvious where it was coming from (after the engine oil gets dirtied up some), maybe I will still wait. I'll try to get a chance to crawl under before it's towed and look around some more.



I don't know exactly what to suspect on the engine losing power. It happened suddenly and didn't get any worse in the 5 or so minutes I drove it. I'm pretty sure it is a fueling problem. I would think that a fuel filter would clog up slowly and, if it was that, the problem would have come on more slowly. But, then again, I'm no diesel mechanic and I'm here on this site to learn.



Biggest problem now is I can't get a tow truck. They're all busy due to the snow. I can't do much here at the office. I think I'll do a test drive after it warms up today and see if it has fixed itself or, at a minimum, will let me limp home.

 

[Badunit]

It warmed up today and I put some additive in the tank. Runs like new. Guess it was just ice in the line; maybe a piece broke off and plugged the line. Freaked out over nothing. I know one station I'll never visit again. Should I worry about the fuel filter or just let it be?

 

[Rosco]

I would run a couple tanks of clean fuel through then change the filter. It is cheap insurance.