? boost pressure, poor mileage and performance - Diesel Forum

TGATORRACING · 03-07-2005, 02:43 AM

I have just bought my first diesel truck, a 2001 f250 with 32,000 miles. Thought it was a little sluggish on bottom end so I bought an edge w/attitude and installed. It helped some but not as much as I had hoped. Made my first long haul this weekend (500 miles round trip- 250miles truck only and 250 with 8000# bumper pull). Mileage without trailer at 55-70 mph was about 13-14 miles/gal. With the trailer coming home I only got about 7.5 miles/gal at 60 mph with 9.5 lbs of boost at cruising speed and max of 16 lbs boost at takeoff to get to cruising speeed. I used the edge in tow mode for part of the trip and stock for part of trip without much fuel mileage difference. I could tell a difference in the power settings but the truck did not seem like it had the power that I thought it would. IN the stock setting at 50 mph I could push the pedal to the floor and it would accelerate but very very slowly-no power. Actually it was not a whole lot better than my 1997 dodge 1/2 ton with a 360 gas engine. Was I expecting too much or is there something wrong with my new truck?

TGATORRACING · 03-07-2005, 02:52 AM

This truck is a 4x4 and has an automatic tranny.

GrampyJim · 03-07-2005, 03:12 AM

My suggestion.... disconnect the chip and have the base engine diagnosed.... If it can't make 15 - 17 psi boost in stock trim, you need to address that first. Leaking uptubes can cost you better than 5 psi. Restricted exhaust can cost more.

If your chip is going to help build power, your base set up has to be good.

TGATORRACING · 03-07-2005, 08:42 AM

How should I check to make certain I am getting at least 15-17 lbs of boost? Is that reading on heavy launch, pulling or just standard driving. My boost driving around town is usually less than 5 lbs.

wildbill1963 · 03-07-2005, 11:10 AM

It does not sound that there is anything wrong with your truck. I would however get a code reader and make sure there are no storted code in the PCM. The Edge J/A, will not make too much of a mileage gain for you. Howevere a programmer or chip will on some settings.

TGATORRACING · 03-07-2005, 04:53 PM

I just thought that a 7 mpg drop while pulling was terrible for a diesel engine. The power is nothing to brag about either- guess I was expecting more than I should have.

MudHog · 03-07-2005, 10:34 PM

You could pull the intake tube off the turbo and check your vanes. The compressor wheel maybe bad which would cause lack of boost.With the chip you should be seeing higher boost numbers than that. Check your IC boots too as mentioned above.

Also check your air filter. Dirty filter will hurt performance too.