Towing and loss power and getting Vibration!

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

So yesterday I was towing a 16ft trailer loaded with about 3-4000lbs. I started getting a vibration and loss of power! I pulled over, turned off the truck checked the oil, all was good. I started back up and rode home no problem. Now today I'm driving with the trailer empty and it's wayy worse I vibration is getting worse, and I can't go much over 50mph. What's going on with this? here is a video maybe it will help.

mandkole · Mar 24, 2013

no video... explain the vibration and power loss. Drivetrain or engine vibration? Did the motor start missing, dropping cylinders, etc?

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

The vibration feels like a motor vibration, sounds like it could be misfiring, but I've never had a car misfire, or drop a cylinder. As I drive around town under 50mph it's perfect, no issues. The power loss, is like as it vibrates, I hit the gas harder and the vibration gets worse, but I can't accelerate I just slow down. Ill post another video

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpV3oiOgmQI

Powerstroke Cowboy · Mar 24, 2013

Transmission would be my guess.. What does it do in third gear???

What does it do if from a stop you pin it and hold it???

David N · Mar 24, 2013

Is it throwing any codes? My truck had a really wierd vibration/shake when the UVC harness came unplugged and wasn't sending fire to one injector. Check your codes and see if it has a P1316 IDM fault Code.

Powerstroke Cowboy · Mar 24, 2013

what he said^^^^^

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

Last night when It started I got a engine light, but then when I restarted it, the light went out

Ill have to try and floor it and see what it do

David N · Mar 24, 2013

mclarengts said:
Last night when It started I got a engine light, but then when I restarted it, the light went out

Ill have to try and floor it and see what it do

Sounds like what mine was doing. Although it should be on all the time, it could be going and coming. Save yourself some time and get the codes read somehow. That will save you alot of trouble.

Powerstroke Cowboy · Mar 24, 2013

it only does it at a certain speed right?? Or does it do it all the time? even when it is just idling?

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

What's the UVC?

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

It seems to be sparatic, because right now I'm doing 65-70 and it's all good... It seems to start when pulling up hills..

Side note: is off road diesel red?

David N · Mar 24, 2013

Ahhh I mean Under valve cover gasket. The plug that goes from the wiring harness to the gasket. Mine had pushed under the valve cover, not allow 100% contact with the connector.

And my truck idled fine, it would only shake under acceleration. Like in the video.

Powerstroke Cowboy · Mar 24, 2013

yes off road diesel is red. With what you are saying you have a bad connection problem.
sounds like you need the Quarter fix....

ghohouston · Mar 24, 2013

Off road diesel is red, but is exactly the same as otr diesel. Get codes checked, my guess would be a torque converter/trans issue, could be u.v.c.h. As stated, could be bad injector(s), ive also seen the sock/screens on the fuel sending unit COMPLETELY clogged with **** cause a big loss of power under load.

mclarengts · Mar 24, 2013

Pulled a hill and EGTs were 11000, cruising at 60 EGTs are 8000

neverkickn · Mar 24, 2013

God, I feel like Lou Holtz, "this is a footbal." Check the basics first.

You dont have a hard ses light, so I find it hard to believe that a uvch could be the problem, not to mention the fact that you don't have the shudder all the time. You need to check fuel pressure right off and then move into the other mechanical things that could cause this kind of imbalance.