E550...same o same o problem

[howardtm]

Marc...I know that by now this sounds like a broken record but this 7.3 problem is driving me nuts (granted it's a short trip..but) The SES light still comes on, usually when pulling a grade, steep or not, loaded or not. Initially, it would result in a complete loss of power, no guts to turn the wheels(no joke) and massive amounts of black smoke out the pipe. However, about 5 months (or so) ago, it was losing power again, I heard a small ping sound and it seemed to correct itself, at least in that regard. Althought the SES light would come on, it didn't seem to make any noticable difference in driveability and would usually go out within 3-4 miles, although it never had the power or mileage I expected from a diesel. Well...it's back! went on a 40 mile run and was lucky to get it back to the shop. I seem to recall the last code they pulled was 1211, something to do with the HPOP etc. Granted, and I'll be the first to admit, that I'm not the brightest bulb in the box when it comes to diesels, or any other such mechanics, but it would seem that (a. if the HPOP ot injector O-rings were leaking, they'd leak ALL the time, under all loading conditions?? (b. That the black smoke and rough running are indications of way too much fuel being pushed into the cylinders..hence major flooding, hence again, to my simple mind, would indicate too much fuel and/or not enough air. Now that Allegheny Ford has possession of my truck once more, I see major dollar signs flashing before my meager bank account. This problem doesn't manifest itself on a continous basis..example..drove from Pittsburgh to Houston,Tx, on to Tucson, Az, on to Sacramento and was just outside Salt Lake City before the SES light came on (didn't seem to affect the driveability at all). If I'm on fairly flat ground, seems to always run fine (except for the apparent lack of real guts or decent mileage). Just a thought here, again from a simple mind, but could a valve or gate or something associated with the turbo be a culprit here as well. Before this happened again today, it was losing power, black smoke etc..etc, and I heard a distinct "ping" like either something broke...or broke free, then almost 6 months without it losing power and going limp noodle on me. As for mileage, granted, with the empty weight (unloaded) being just over 13,350lbs, and I don't expect to see 18MPG here (unless you know of a secret oath to the Diesel God), but in your opinion shouldn't I be getting more than 9..(down hill, unloaded with a stiff tailwind)?? And as for the "power" or more specifically the lack of, I've never been one to lay down a heavy foot, but its really embarrassing to be passed by a surfer dude on a skateboard going up a small grade. I apologize for the long winded oratory here but any reasonably logical insights from you or others out there in PowerStroke Land would be of the utmost help..especially as to the things that it CANNOT be (the Ford shop here seems to like replacing parts (at my expense) that DOESN'T fix the problem. By The Way Marc, If I'd have had the time and money when going through the valley up to Sacramento, I would have stopped by and had YOU fix this thing. I really believe that you'd do right..the first time. (and that just might still be an option...)
Thanks Guys, for everything.
Howard T. McAllister
PS I'll get you the new codes as soon as they pull em.

[howardtm]

Ok...just got the codes from Allegheny Ford...#1 ..P0605. #2 P1211. First time for the 0605 code that I know of. as for the 1211...if I had a weak HPOP or leaking O-Rings, wouldn't they be weak or leaking ALL the time rather than intermittent??? By the way, it's a 2003 E550 w a 20' box, auto trans

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Last edited by howardtm : 01-16-2007 at 09:46 AM. Reason: added info

[~CrazyDiesel~]

p0605 is PCM Read only memory test error.
p1211? I dont have a code for that, are you sure it's 1211??

Here's what I suggest you do.

The p0605, is a pcm code, which means that the pcm is not right at all, or that the PCM may have had, or has a chip/.program installed.

I think, before you go trying anything else, I would look at that p0605 as a possibility. I dont know why i dont have p1211 in my stuff.

There is a p1210 which is a hpop pressure high condition, which could point to a failing Injection pressure sensor, or injection pressure regulator.

there is also p1209 which is hpop pressure sensor fault.


Does your turbocharger spool, i.e. whistle??

I hope this helps, i'll be watching this thread.

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Last edited by ~CrazyDiesel~ : 01-21-2007 at 10:07 PM. Reason: adding more info

[SCUFFY828]

p1211 ,means injection control ressure above or below desired , by fords book meaning ,ipr valve stuck ,or shorted to ground , my experience with p1211 ,is most of the time low oil pressure from hpop maybe weak or failing ,ipr valve itself ,low fuel pressure ca also cause this code

[~CrazyDiesel~]

Thankies Scott, I can't believe my book doesn't have that code in it (writes it in there)

You know as well as I do, I'm no tech, but i try to help as best I can.

[howardtm]

Turbo Spooling??? don't recall that I've heard it "whistle" (or even hum a tune) Greg at Allegheny Ford mentioned that if the PCM goes of the fritz that it could be the cause of all the probs here. that it controls fuel press, injector timing etc and that it "can" kick back of lot of error codes ie the P1211 code, simply because it itself is malfunctioning. His cost to replace it is around $800.00 parts and labor. If the PCM does in fact control everything, and it starts going south, and giving faulty instructions to various sensors, relays etc. could that be why its losing power, flooding out (ie the massive amounts of black smoke), SES light coming on under load, and just being a gutless wonder with lousey mileage???

[guzzle]

Is the truck chipped or have a performance tune uploaded to the PCM?

[howardtm]

That I'm aware of?? No. It's a 2003 cutaway box truck so its doubtful and the shop where I've been taken (no..it's not a typo) would probably have noticed and they've not mentioned it. Although, with fuel prices so high and the preformance so low I've been thinking of some mods along those lines, but not sure that would be best until whatever is wrong with this thing is fixed..afraid that mods might make it worse..and, at the time I can't afford it. Is there a quick way for them to check if any "tunes" have been uploaded? Greg said they tried several times to "flash" the PCM but it wouldn't hold.

[guzzle]

Originally Posted by howardtm

...........Is there a quick way for them to check if any "tunes" have been uploaded? Greg said they tried several times to "flash" the PCM but it wouldn't hold.

I asked because a performance tune can give you the P1211 dtc because most will increase the ICP, especially under heavy throttle.

The only way that I know of to make sure there is not a tune on the PCM is to have a dealer read the PCM. Catch-22 here. I believe if the PCM is bad, it should be covered by the 100k engine warranty since it is part of the engine control system. Depending on the dealer, if they find a performance tune on the PCM they could deny any warranty on the PCM and any future warranty claims.

If they don't, it could cost you as little as the $100 deductible.

[howardtm]

although this thing was "supposed" to have a new engine installed before I bought it, there's no way to know for sure, but it has around 256k on at least the "frame" so any warrenty is long gone.. I told Greg to go ahead with replacing the PCM..hell, might as well replace another part and hopefully (praying to the Great Ford God) this is the root cause of all the problems as well as the lack of any real power and lousey fuel mileage. Although I am a bit confused, if this really IS the problem, why the code didn't show up the first time I experienced these problems. Also... I'm just guessing here, but would a faulty PCM also possibly prevent the tranny from downshifting out of O/D? 99% of the time when climbing a grade, it'll dog down and I have to manually hit the button and turn off the O/D. I know enough about all this to realize that with all the electronis sensors, relays, actuators, gizmos and whizbangs being tied to-and controlled by- a single computer (who's sole purpose is to take over the world and enslave us humans) a malfuction in one can cascade through the whole chain making it near impossible to determine just which one is the real culprit. Lord..give me back the days when all ya needed is a bit of spit, duct tape and bailing wire along with a few choice swear words and yer truck would run forever! When (if) this thing ever gets back to roadworthy, I would like to add a chip and whatever else to up the preformance and mileage, and I know without a doubt that better intake and exhaust systems is an excellent start, but which "chip"??? Really hard to sort through all the manufacturers propaganda and get the actual real world down and dirty info. At 1MPG increase, it would never pay for itself, at 4 or 5 mpg,(a doubling of current MPG) would be worth every cent and then some..