99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 1999-Up Super Duty trucks and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 7.3L Power Stroke engine.
OK, I'm just a dumb ole girl and I don't know much about trucks. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] I bought a 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke a few months ago and just started pulling a 3 horse trailer. SOMETIMES, when I am pulling a loaded trailer up a steady incline, in Drive, not Overdrive, my truck makes this weird sound, like it's downshifting but it's not. The RPMs don't changing and it doesn't loose/gain power. It happens at around 2400-2500 RPMs.It's a startling sound. Someone said it might be the turbo kicking in??? It's kind of like a surging sound but the truck doesn't surge. I know I am making no sense. Any advice?
I put it in the shop thinking it was my transmission and they couldn't find anything wrong. Only happens when pulling a load. Is this normal??
Sounds like to me, you are getting what is called Turbo surge, or turbo stall, this occurs in the RPM range you describe, it is caused by air rushing back through the turbo. There are aftermarket housings you can get for the turbo that will help.
ATS is one of the suppliers.
Is the sound a sort of fluttering noise? or a screatching sound almost like letting air out of a baloon with the end stretched.
This sound is much more noticable under load, and also if you have an aftermarket intake setup it is nearly very noticeable.
Do you have a Chip or any aftermarket equipment? If you get a chance you might put some information in your signature letting us know what you've got.
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2000 F-350 NVK5, XLT Island Blue 7.3 PSD 3:73LS Reg Cab LB, STOCK EXCEPT:BTS Transmission,Ummmm... Injectors, Home made HUGE Tymar,TC-Lock Mod, CCV mod, Heater-plug mod,6-Pos "Chip", Autometer Z-Series/ISSPro Gauge pod,407hp/849.1FtLbs
If you are in a hard pull and the truck heats up and reaches a hotter than normal temperature your fan clutch will kick on and run for about a minute to a minute and a half,which helps to pull more air through the radiater fins to help cool your anti-freeze to a safer temperature and then it will shut off until the temperature goes up again and it will cycle on and off again.It is controlled by a thermostat and when it kicks on it will sound like a jet airplane is under your hood.Also put as you mentioned a downshift with no change in pulling or speed change.
__________________ "Real Trucks Don't Have Spark Plugs"
2000 F250 Lariat Crew Cab, 4x4 A Few Mods To Make It Better than Stock
Thanks for the "Welcome". Are you saying that this sound is normal and the housing will help muffle the sound? Or will the housing stop it from doing this? I don't have a chip or other aftermarket things on it except running boards. It's a 2002 Ford F250 2WD 4D with Auto transmission.
If this infact is the problem, and sound you're hearing, then it will prevent the sound not by muffeling it, but it is a ported housing which will releive pressure imbalance.
Honestly without any aftermarket equipment, I think this sound would be barely noticeable.
These housings can be a little pricey if you're not 100% sure that is the sound, I would hold off, and perhaps get a second opinion.
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2000 F-350 NVK5, XLT Island Blue 7.3 PSD 3:73LS Reg Cab LB, STOCK EXCEPT:BTS Transmission,Ummmm... Injectors, Home made HUGE Tymar,TC-Lock Mod, CCV mod, Heater-plug mod,6-Pos "Chip", Autometer Z-Series/ISSPro Gauge pod,407hp/849.1FtLbs
If it sounds like it downshifts but the RPMs do not change, the first thing I would think is the fan clutch. When it kicks in it is loud (sounds like a downshift or a small jet under your hood) and if you aren't ready for it you will almost jump out of your seat (at least I do because I don't here it that often). This may not be what it is but getting used to this normal sound (fan clutch kicking in) is a whole lot cheaper than changing out the turbo housing.
Joe
P.S Welcome to the site and keep us posted on what you find out. I hate never hearing the end of the story.
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2002 F350, Crew Cab, 4WD, ISSOPRO Gauges,
3.73, Auto, 2wd low range mod, No door dinger,
Interior lights off switch, Zoodad Mod,
Extra Trans Cooler, Before coolers trans fltr,
Coolant fltr, Crimestopper remote start/alarm
Oil Guard Bypass, Air horns
"SOMETIMES, when I am pulling a loaded trailer up a steady incline, in Drive, not Overdrive, my truck makes this weird sound, like it's downshifting but it's not. The RPMs don't changing and it doesn't loose/gain power. It happens at around 2400-2500 RPMs.It's a startling sound."
No question about it. Normal operation of the fan clutch locking on to cool her down. Sounds like a jet headed up your exhaust [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
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2001 Ford F-250 PS, CC, 2/w drive short bed, auto(BTS upgrade), Banks Stinger Plus and exhaust brake, TurboSaver, HX,Hutch mod/pooned, K&N FIPK, Mag-Hytec trans and diff pans, Cyclone fan, doodad, Bilstein shocks, Air-lifts front and rear, dp-Tuner F-5 chip, Fleetrite/203therm, fuel regulator shim, GOS headlight harness/silverstars, Bob's coolent filter, Rotella Syn w/single by-pass.
I think a couple of you hit the nail on the head! I think it is the fan clutch. Yes, I do about jump out of my skin! Then, my knees started rattling because I was alone, pulling 3 horses, 150 miles from home, thinking my transmission was going! And it does sound like a jet under my hood or a downshift. And it's always at the top of a steady incline. Only last for a few seconds, too. THANKS so much for the information. I feel better and I can hit the road again without being paranoid! Other than this, this truck so far is a pulling machine! THANKS SO MUCH for the peace of mind.
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Why not in overdrive? These trucks are designed to tow in overdrive. If the transmission isn't shifting frequently you can tow in overdrive and save fuel.
Once the sound starts, how long does it stay on? Should stay on for a about a minute. If the sound is coming and going every second or so, then this is a known problem.
Had my 2002 fixed about two years ago for the rapid cycling. Now it comes on and stays on for around a minute.
Tim
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2002 XLT Crewcab 4x4 F350 PSD Arz Beige. American flag bug deflector (gotta show my colors), Teconsha Prodigy brake controller, 28' Keystone Couger 5er. Pre pump mod (thanks Hutch), Walker BTM, upgraded IH Up-Pipes and intercooler boots from Riff Raff Diesel
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Why not in overdrive? These trucks are designed to tow in overdrive. If the transmission isn't shifting frequently you can tow in overdrive and save fuel.
[/ QUOTE ]Because she is climbing a hill and her RPM's are in the 2400-2500 range which is great for climbing. It sounds like she is taking it out of overdrive and driving the truck perfectly [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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'99.5 F250 Lariat 4x4 7.3L PSD, Crew Cab, Short Box, Auto, 3.73LS, Mastercraft Courser C/T LT285-75-R16, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" DP, 6637 open filter intake, AutoMeter Sport Comp pillar mount gauges, DP Tuner F5 with 40t, 60t, 80econ, 120race, Hella 550 driving lights, Tru-Cool Max tranny cooler, 205k miles, HD4R100 tranny, Zoodad. Airbags on back, leveling kit on front.
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