The subject: 2002 F-250 7.3L 4x4 with 150,000 miles
About a month ago during a camping trip, the truck's CEL came on while warming up in the morning and it started running rough. After a few minutes the CEL went out and everything was fine for the day. Next morning same thing. Then again the next morning as we headed home.
This was consistent ... start, run fine for a few minutes, run rough for about five minutes with CEL, then CEL out and fine for the rest of the day.
Mechanic read codes but nothing came up. Hubby used injector cleaner, new fuel filter, and checked through obvious things. We figured (based on reading here) that it might have been the wiring harness or clips. But he was reluctant to remove the valve covers right away and we also wondered if maybe we got some bad diesel on that camping trip at one of the gas stations that is known for diluting their fuel (but there's no other station in that town so ... )
Last week the rough running happened while idling after about an hour of highway driving. Took the truck to the mechanic yesterday to have codes read again. This time there were four codes during the "buzz" test. Hope I got that right ... hubby is the truck techy but not too computer literate so here I am!
Codes returned were:
- P1272 #2 Injector Wiring Idle Side Open Hi/Low Open
- P0269 #3 Balance Fault
- P0284 #8 Balance Fault
- P0705 Transmission Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Mechanic's advice is to focus on the engine and not the tranny. His suggestion is to change wiring harness. Maybe change injectors. Says there's a special tool for the injectors so its not easy to DIY. He doesn't work on diesels but referred us to another mechanic who worked at a Ford dealer and knows them better. Hourly rate of $85/hour.
Hubby is a good DIY mechanic. This truck is the first vehicle he's had that he hasn't pulled the engine for one reason or another. Generally, he fixes every toy we have. We also have the Workshop Manuals for this truck,
But he wonders if this job is beyond his ability and maybe it is best to have the mechanic take it on. We've read about the difficulty of getting the valve covers off. How much time would be needed for a somewhat competent first-timer doing this?
We love the truck. It suits our needs perfectly. Most of its mileage has been hauling a trailer or carrying the camper. This is the first problem we've had with it, other than a ball joint that needed replacing. This truck is in great shape, just has this engine problem. If we get it fixed, how much more time can we expect with it?
Would appreciate some input for us to banter about as we decide what to do. We're even wondering if its time to look for a different truck.
Thanx in advance for your input!
Fifth wheel, a trials bike in the box, and 2 kayaks ...
About a month ago during a camping trip, the truck's CEL came on while warming up in the morning and it started running rough. After a few minutes the CEL went out and everything was fine for the day. Next morning same thing. Then again the next morning as we headed home.
This was consistent ... start, run fine for a few minutes, run rough for about five minutes with CEL, then CEL out and fine for the rest of the day.
Mechanic read codes but nothing came up. Hubby used injector cleaner, new fuel filter, and checked through obvious things. We figured (based on reading here) that it might have been the wiring harness or clips. But he was reluctant to remove the valve covers right away and we also wondered if maybe we got some bad diesel on that camping trip at one of the gas stations that is known for diluting their fuel (but there's no other station in that town so ... )
Last week the rough running happened while idling after about an hour of highway driving. Took the truck to the mechanic yesterday to have codes read again. This time there were four codes during the "buzz" test. Hope I got that right ... hubby is the truck techy but not too computer literate so here I am!
Codes returned were:
- P1272 #2 Injector Wiring Idle Side Open Hi/Low Open
- P0269 #3 Balance Fault
- P0284 #8 Balance Fault
- P0705 Transmission Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Mechanic's advice is to focus on the engine and not the tranny. His suggestion is to change wiring harness. Maybe change injectors. Says there's a special tool for the injectors so its not easy to DIY. He doesn't work on diesels but referred us to another mechanic who worked at a Ford dealer and knows them better. Hourly rate of $85/hour.
Hubby is a good DIY mechanic. This truck is the first vehicle he's had that he hasn't pulled the engine for one reason or another. Generally, he fixes every toy we have. We also have the Workshop Manuals for this truck,
But he wonders if this job is beyond his ability and maybe it is best to have the mechanic take it on. We've read about the difficulty of getting the valve covers off. How much time would be needed for a somewhat competent first-timer doing this?
We love the truck. It suits our needs perfectly. Most of its mileage has been hauling a trailer or carrying the camper. This is the first problem we've had with it, other than a ball joint that needed replacing. This truck is in great shape, just has this engine problem. If we get it fixed, how much more time can we expect with it?
Would appreciate some input for us to banter about as we decide what to do. We're even wondering if its time to look for a different truck.
Thanx in advance for your input!
Fifth wheel, a trials bike in the box, and 2 kayaks ...