Please help! 01 F350 developed new problem today!

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

Hey guys,

I was running errands today in the 01 F350 (7.3) when it started acting weird. It would randomly make a bit of a thud then act like it was engine braking..then it would go away and drive normal after I let off the gas for a second. It does this in roughly 2-5 second spurts then drives normal again. When it does this it doesn't respond when I give it gas. Once it stops it drives normal. WTH!? It's doing it quite often now and I really can't drive it. Is a transmission repair eminent? Or is this possibly something else like fuel delivery etc? Please help I have no idea where to go from here. This is my first ever diesel truck. Thanks!

ToMang07 · Jul 4, 2013

You really need to explain what it's doing better. Is the engine missing? Transmission shifting hard? Clunk sound? Grinding sound? Where is it coming from? Always? At speed? Starting? Relative to RPMs? Is the CEL or O/D lights on?

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

I know. I apologize. That's what is killing me...it really is hard to explain. The best way I can describe is that it feels like its engine breaking at random times, regardless of throttle input. Its like the truck is lugging itself down. It does it for a few seconds then it quits and drives normal...then does it a gain for a few seconds. No grinding, a slight thud and then it starts slowing down as if the breaks are being pushed...even when on throttle. It seems to be somewhat random as to when it does it. No lights are flashing/on. The engine seems to be running fine. It seems to be doing it within a gear...not while shifting.

POWER-STRUCK · Jul 4, 2013

I assume it has a auto trans?

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

yes auto trans

ghohouston · Jul 4, 2013

Ebpv sticking closed

ToMang07 · Jul 4, 2013

Does it seem like a cylinder or two are cutting out? How much fuel do/did you have in the tank when it happens? Any idea when the last time the fuel filter was changed?

And I'd start giving it diesel...not gas. LOL

POWER-STRUCK · Jul 4, 2013

all we can do is make a couple guesses for you. has the trans cooler been modded or changed?

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

ghohouston said:
Ebpv sticking closed

What's the Ebpv?

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

ToMang07 said:
Does it seem like a cylinder or two are cutting out? How much fuel do/did you have in the tank when it happens? Any idea when the last time the fuel filter was changed?

And I'd start giving it diesel...not gas. LOL

It really doesn't seem like any cylinders are cutting out...if anything it seems like everything is cutting out at once. My other thought was maybe fuel starvation issues? Or some sort of vapor locking? It had 1/2 tank of fuel when this was all occurring.

haha ya ya I figured that would come up when I said "give it gas" sorry.....give it throttle :slap:

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

POWER-STRUCK said:
all we can do is make a couple guesses for you. has the trans cooler been modded or changed?

No mods whatsoever. This truck is completely stock with 188k miles on it.

POWER-STRUCK · Jul 4, 2013

you will have to narrow it down to which system is causing this issue. i have seen trucks have a transmission sprag failure on the forward clutch exhibit similar symptoms. but this also could be an engine or fuel system issue. also might try unplugging the ebpv solenoid to see if it helps

ghohouston · Jul 4, 2013

700hauler said:
What's the Ebpv?

Exhaust backpressure valve, its in the exhaust housing of your turbo. Its a butterfly valve, and they sometimes stick closed. Unplug the solenoid to it, and pull your downpipe off and visually verify its open and not closed

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

Ok thanks for the help. If it were stuck closed wouldn't it do this all the time instead of off and on though?

ghohouston · Jul 4, 2013

Ive heard of them opening and closing, but never personally seen it

700hauler · Jul 4, 2013

Well I just did a drive around the block and when it starts doing it if I put it in Neutral it coasts and runs fine. It seemingly does it worse in 3rd gear. Tranny fluid is at the correct level but it kinda smells burnt

I think I know where this is heading. awesome. We are currently having to drop $2k on the wife's Subaru for a trans....have no idea how I'm going to pay for the F350 trans...when it rains it pours. :flush:

ghohouston · Jul 4, 2013

Ouch, best of luck. Hell you might as well snag one of the used bts trannys on here if you can swing it, but I understand being broke

INFRNL · Jul 4, 2013

Maybe you just need to get a servicing done on the tranny or replace the filter and flush it yourself. Might be worth it rather than a new tranny. Although things could be sticking in the valvebody. I do not think a full service at the tranny shop is too bad, maybe a couple hundred. Its an option.

700hauler · Jul 5, 2013

INFRNL I thought about that but the thought of tossing several hundred dollars at it, only for it to possibly still fail, is hard to swallow.

Lethalthreat7.3 · Jul 5, 2013

The transmission may be fine and it may be electrical. The TR switch can cause havoc when they start to fail. I would install a pressure gauge with a hose long enough to read while you drive. See what the pressures are.