Engine low power?

Tiny
GCOBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 2019 FORD F-250
  • 6.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 5,900 MILES
When pulling our travel trailer it won't stay in fifth or sixth gear, immediately dropping to fourth or even third. No real power when trying to accelerate. Without the trailer it runs beautifully. We are traveling and were able to get into a dealer. They could find nothing wrong with the transmission and also checked the tow/haul and said everything checked out. They suggested that "it's not that powerful" and therefore it was straining to pull the trailer. Is that true? Our trailer is way under the tow capacity.
Is this normal?
Is it safe to continue towing the trailer?
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 8:55 PM

53 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

That's a brand new truck! Something sounds fishy. Did you buy this truck new/used and did it come with warranty?

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Hope to hear back soon and thanks for using 2CarPros. In the mean time I will look for possible early TSB's (technical service bulletins) issued by Ford. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
What is the weight of the RV? And could it be possible that the brakes are dragging due to a bad brake adjustment? If possible I would try to pull the trailer with another gas truck to see how difficult it is to pull.
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Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
USMCORPSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD F-250
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
After more than 20 minutes of city driving or more than 30 minutes of highway travel the trucks rpm gauge begins to surge. In the city at stop lights the truck will bounce between 500 rpms to 1100 rpms. Then as I accelerate there is no engine response. With the gas pedal to the floor the engine is still idling. After I idle to the side of the road and be patient it responds after about 5 minutes. Yesterday same problem occurred except I had to park overnight on roadside and then the following morning it started up no problem. What could be causing this?
On interstate travel the battery light has been coming on whenever I accelerate even the slightest amount. And the batteries were replaced this last month.
Took the truck to Auto Zone for their engine scan services and since the check engine light isn't on they wouldn't scan it. All during these issues the check engine light has yet to come on.

The engine is the 6.0 Powerstroke diesel engine. This also is the turbo engine. The alternator has never been changed in the vehicle.
Matter of fact other than routine maintenance nothing has been changed on the vehicle to my knowledge.
Another issue that I experienced today in addition to aforementioned ones was that the the turbo psi gauge would barely move whenever I would accelerate. Didn't matter whether it was a gentle or hard acceleration it was like the turbo isn't engaging at all. I am at a complete loss as to what is causing this. If it is something as minor as sensors or fuses or a major component failure
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like a fuel filter needs to be replaced or the turbo has gone out, Lets try the fuel filter first here are the instructions in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
USMCORPSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I did the fuel filter and it helped but it still doesn't have the power when it was new do you think tis the turbo?
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The only way you can tell is to remove the inlet or exhaust side of the turbo and check the endplay, if excessive here is a guide to help see what I am talking about with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how to replace the turbo.

Turbocharger - 4C3Z6K682CBRM $1332.44

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-turbo-chargers-work

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
3BRANDON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have same problem. Yesterday truck would only idle even with peddle all the way to the floor. Then when I turned it off and restarted it idled at about 400 rpm tili it died. I checked the turbo it was shot so I got one from the junkyard, worked great!
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CWERSAL1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 FORD F-250
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,000 MILES
Loss of power on acceleration. Turbo runs maybe 5 psi unless I step on it. Then maybe 15-20psi. Shifting funny. I have to release gas to get it to shift after about 3rd gear. Egr valve was cleaned last night but no performane gain. Checked oil and coolant and they are not mixing in eachother. Plastic peice by turbo has small crack where screw is screwed in, but I dont think I would loose that much from it.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Start with getting the pressure side of the turbo checked for leaks, this is often a cause of poor performance in turbo engines, a bad leak will often produce a whistling noise as the turbo spools up and pressure increases.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMEASEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
  • 2004 FORD F-250
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
Sometimes when I back off the accelerator on a good pull and at time on level ground it is like the ignition was turn off and turn back on and a wha wha wha wha sound and loss of power after about ten seconds or less. All power is back and the truck runs fine. Does anyone know what causes this?

Thanks, Bob
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

The first thing I would do is change the fuel filter. A partially clogged fuel filter will cause this.

I attached both styles. There could be a frame mounted one or an engine mounted filter. Both are easy to change.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMEASEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Both fuel filters have been changed. I believe the problem is somewhere else. But do not know. Thanks, Bob
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Were they just changed?

Are there any codes stored?

My next check would be fuel pressure, high pressure oil pump pressure and catalytic converter check.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMEASEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
No codes, no dash lights.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PETE JR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD F-250
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,547,417 MILES
Today is Wednesday June 5th 2019 it is 10:39 in the morning I came to a Wertz tractor power equipment to drop off my mower, on my way here my truck stalled as I turn the corner I had no gas pedal action the truck shut down. I immediately turn the ignition back on and a way I went. Last night while arriving at my home my truck soon as I park my truck it turned itself off. I've had this problem in the past when the turbo was hooked up the mechanic at the dealership said the turbo was fine yet it was he did not tell me it was unplugged. One day I plugged it in the very next day I had big problems my truck stalled choked and you push on the gas pedal and nothing happened. I sat there for fifteen to twenty minutes started it back up it would go for a couple minutes and then start acting all crazy again. So why unplugged the turbo at that point in time everything went back to normal, however today turbo is not plugged in and all those symptoms are happening all over again. The lady above Miss Rose I read her story and the answers that were given. So I'm going to try a couple of your the answers that were given.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You have to start somewhere.

I would start with the filters, fuel pressure test, oil pressure test and catalytic converter test.

You will need an advanced scan tool to do these checks except for catalytic converter back pressure test and the filters.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the truck is going into limp or safety mode due to a dirty throttle bore. here is a guide I would try first, also lets run the codes to see what comes up:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMEASEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I will get them check out. Thanks again, Bob
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMEASEVER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Will do.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)

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