Loss of Towing Power nad Hi EGT

[DEngelhardt]

Hi All,

I just got back from a camping trip and noticed that I no longer had the power I used to. Worked fine on the way up camping. I first noticed the problem climbing Rabbit Ears Pass here in Colo. I looked at the EGT and saw red doing around 40 mph, which had no problem before. I finally had to slow down to 35 mph in 3rd gear to keep the EGT out of the red.



Driving on fairly mountainous roads, slight hills, you know, I noticed that normal running now had the EGT almost in the red. Every time I needed some slight power, here comes Mr. Red. When I got onto I70, had hardly any power, couldn't get any speed, a lot of black smoke, and finally had to go up the stupid pass in 2nd gear doing 20 mph. Made the FORD guys happy.



Here's what I'm thinking. Loss of power, throttle not all that responsive (ie; step on it and not much GO), fuel pressure 14 lbs (FASS), engine running cool and all other gauges looked good. Only 41K on the truck. Unplugged the Edge and same results.



Do you think it is the VP44? Thanks for any info on this.



dave

 

[supersonic]

Check your charge air lines. Sounds like you are leaking boost.

 

[DEngelhardt]

I did notice a hi pitched hissing sound when I was close to road dividers. I stopped the truck on the pass and couldn't see anything apparent, course with the truck stopped it makes troubleshooting harder.



Are these lines hooked to the turbo? Rigid and rubber?



Thanks.



dave

 

[supersonic]

You should inspect the hump hoses that connect the metal tubing between the turbocharger outlet and the charge air cooler. Usually the boot expands and pulls out from under the clamp. Thr one connected to the intercooler is a real PITA. Also the lower lip of the inner fender rubs on the lower boot and wears a hole in it, in which case it would need replaced, Several places (schied, piers) sell a HD charge ait boot kit that i would highly recomend if you plan on modifying your engine. Again they are a PITA to install but well worth not having to fix yours a couple dozen times.

 

[runningbird]

yes they are rigged and rubber... I just had the same thing happen on my 12 valve. kept hearing a load hissing sound, finaly the hose did pop off. . my clamp was bad lucky for me I mad it up the hill to an auto parts store, I got 2 large rad hose clamps since they didn't carry the original clamps. . any check all those connections. I'm sure you'll find a leak...

 

[DavidC]

Do you have a boost gauge?. If not it should be next on your list. Stuff as many gauges in the truck that you can find room for.



Dave

 

[DEngelhardt]

Good call supersonic. Checked it this afternoon and found a loose clamp and distorted rubber boot that was leaking on the downside of the turbo. Tightened it up and took if for a drive. Feels like the old truck.



When you think about it, all of it makes sense. Since I was leaking boost, the turbo wasn't working to par and the lack of cooling made the EGT's go up, loss of power, etc. Now if I can get a few more years... ... .



I do have a Boost, EGT, and Fuel Pressure guage. For those of you who don't have an EFT guage, you may be on borrowed time. I might have burned up the turbo if I didn't have something to monitor temps.



dave

 

[R-N-R]

Just curious, what boost were you seeing when the hose was loose?

 

[lizzyhermit]

climbing a 6% 7 mile grade my Boost guage was "fluttering" at about full boost (18#'s), altough I saw no unusual temps and the power felt alright, and looking "normal" most of the time otherwise. Tightened the clamps (yep, the lower driver side one is a PITA) and voila, normal readings and no flutterings.



You non-out west drivers can't really appreciate the "fun" of going from 1200 ft elevation to >5k ft, down to 3500 to climb to 7k all in 123 miles on a weeknd outing. Makes the guages not only important but vital.



I am amazed at the number of our trucks I see that are flying blind. Guess they have more $$$$$'s than I do for repairs.

 

[DLBurns]

Good call supersonic. Checked it this afternoon and found a loose clamp and distorted rubber boot that was leaking on the downside of the turbo. Tightened it up and took if for a drive. Feels like the old truck.



When you think about it, all of it makes sense. Since I was leaking boost, the turbo wasn't working to par and the lack of cooling made the EGT's go up, loss of power, etc. Now if I can get a few more years... ... .



I do have a Boost, EGT, and Fuel Pressure guage. For those of you who don't have an EFT guage, you may be on borrowed time. I might have burned up the turbo if I didn't have something to monitor temps.



dave

What was your boost gauge reading? I am having similar problems with my truck and don't think mine is a boost issue as I was at 30 PSI topping the grades??