No power! HELP! - Diesel Forum

mkeenan4 · 11-09-2009, 11:58 AM

I cannot get the thing above 2300 RPMs. I've replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the screen and the air filter is clean. Took the intake hose off to look at turbo and it seems fine...blades ok and spins free. I cannot figure this out. I hit the gas and it just hangs there, misses, shakes and blows lots of smoke. Any suggestions?

**Believer45** · 11-09-2009, 12:03 PM

First thought would be contaminated fuel. Have you fueled the truck since you bought it? If so, did the truck run differently before and after fueling?

A few other questions come to mind as well:

Is the check engine light showing?

Have you had the codes read? If so, what are they (if any)?

Smoke white, gray or black?

Can you smell raw diesel fuel in the exhaust?

Mine did something similar some time ago and it wound up being the under valve cover wiring harness on the passenger side front. Check engine light would come on, half of the engine was not running (exhaust manifold on the right side did not get warm).

jroller · 11-09-2009, 12:17 PM

How much boost are you seeing/

mkeenan4 · 11-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Didn't really notice it when I bought it but I don't think it's a contaminated fuel issue. I fueled several times on the way home and have about 1/4 tank left in the rear. The CEL is not on and it idles smoother than my 250 which runs perfect. I'll check the pins on the valve cover gaskets.

I don't have a gauge...how can I tell how much boost?

**Believer45** · 11-09-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkeenan4

Didn't really notice it when I bought it but I don't think it's a contaminated fuel issue. I fueled several times on the way home and have about 1/4 tank left in the rear. The CEL is not on and it idles smoother than my 250 which runs perfect. I'll check the pins on the valve cover gaskets.

I don't have a gauge...how can I tell how much boost?

Can't tell boost without a gauge.

Does the truck run smoothly and well up to 2300 RPMs or is it a struggle to get to 2300 RPMs?

If you have the stock intake, what is the air restriction gauge reading?

mkeenan4 · 11-09-2009, 02:55 PM

smooth as can be up to 2300 or so. hit the accelerator and it goes right up and hangs. eventually it will hit max but that's after a LONG struggle. runs smooth once it's there. stock intake and the gauge reads clean (no yellow showing). i disconnected the intake hose from the air cleaner while in the driveway just to test it and there was no change. smoke color seems to be bluish which i assume would indicate oil. checked the fuel in the bowl and it appears to be clean...straw colored. i didn't notice any blow by either.

**Believer45** · 11-09-2009, 10:46 PM

Sounds like a PCM or programming issue. Does the truck have a chip in it or was a programmer used on it? If yes to either I would start by returning to stock tune or pulling the chip to see if it is related to that.

mkeenan4 · 11-17-2009, 09:50 AM

no chip or tuner. could it just be really bad turbo lag?

mkeenan4 · 11-26-2009, 08:08 AM

no one has any ideas? i could make a video and post on youtube if that might help.

rlincoln1206 · 11-26-2009, 09:25 PM

I would check to see if your boost sensor hose is hooked up and there is no holes . I would also check the codes to see the old inactive codes to see what old problems it has had . Does the check engine light work ? When u turn key on does the check engine light turn on I know its stupid but it has happened to me before .

mkeenan4 · 11-27-2009, 08:46 AM

where is the boost sensor hose? i'll check CEL today. didn't think of that...thanks.

Nit · 11-27-2009, 11:01 AM

look on teh pass side teh small 1/4 hose from teh middle of the manifold next to teh turbo Y pipe to a box just under the windshield, about 20" long. Sometimes you can try unplugging that sensor, adn or you can try unplugging the ICP sensor on teh front of the drivers side head in teh oil rail, next to teh engine liftign hook.

JoshR · 11-27-2009, 11:52 AM

One other possibility is the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing when it shouldn't. There's a 1/4" steel tube running from the turbo to a sensor on the back of the HPOP reservoir, pass side from centerline of truck, which can clog with soot and cause the EBPV to actuate. You can unplug the sensor; it will throw a code (p0470, I think) but the CEL shouldn't come on. You can also clean out the tube with a piece of 1/8" stranded cable chucked into a drill and a can of carb cleaner. Since I removed my EBPV I've run with the sensor unplugged for years.

mkeenan4 · 11-28-2009, 11:34 AM

boost sensor hose is connected and looks to be in really good shape. the CEL flashes when i first turn on the key so i assume that's working. the lift pump is leaking and will be replacing that soon....would that cause this problem? i'll make a video of it and post a link. it frustrating!

JoshR · 11-28-2009, 11:38 AM

Sure it would. You may be getting air in the fuel, and in any case it's not getting the fuel it should. Come to think of it, mine was lacking power before I replaced the pump for the first time.