mpg f150 ecoboost to lock out 6th or not
So here is my question when i select tow haul should I lock out 6th or not. Here in good old flat illinois I have no issue pulling in 6th gear rarely downshifts to 5th. The eingine is running at...
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OK, back on the forum so I can explain. I knew about this issue before buying the truck (nearly anyone that researches a little would). Didn't care then and still don't care. The truck is awesome.
When we left the house that day, towing our 5th to a campground, the ambient temp was almost 90F with about 90%RH, thunderstorms brewing. Right as we got going, it started to downpour and did so for the next 1/2 hour of our trip. Temp on the dash showed 70's during the rain and you can be sure the actual temp of the rain was lower yet. When you compress saturated air (around 2-3psi in my case) and cool it back to the initial temp or even lower, water will fall out and collect in the intercooler/CAC. Then, when you hammer on it, the water gets sucked in, causes mis-firing and kills the catalytic converter with the raw fuel and moisture going into the exhaust. It just so happens that the left bank gets the brunt of it.
In my case, I suspected it was going to happen and let off almost immediately when I noticed the power drop off. I stayed off the gas for few seconds, trying to feather the throttle once or twice and finally got a response after about 10-15 seconds. Right back to normal, no codes at the time. Then, I was dumb enough to try it again... and it happened the second time. Let it clear out, then drove the rest of the way without a problem (1.5hrs)
Then, after a few restarts and driving empty after we got to the campground, it sensed the catalytic converter was not operating efficiently and threw the code (PO430).
Made an appointment at the dealer. New left bank catalytic converter, reflash, new version CAC, a few hours, no charge. Don't notice any difference in power. The new CAC has the same shield on top that the old one had.
Like I said, I was aware of this issue before buying the truck and knew it was a possibility. Although I knew it was physically possible, I was skeptical about how easy it would be to create the problem. Well, given the perfect conditions, it happens, quite predictably. Thinking it cannot happen on these trucks is like thinking a dog will never bite.
Now I know what not to do after warranty is up, unless I want to pay for a new left bank converter:)
When we left the house that day, towing our 5th to a campground, the ambient temp was almost 90F with about 90%RH, thunderstorms brewing. Right as we got going, it started to downpour and did so for the next 1/2 hour of our trip. Temp on the dash showed 70's during the rain and you can be sure the actual temp of the rain was lower yet. When you compress saturated air (around 2-3psi in my case) and cool it back to the initial temp or even lower, water will fall out and collect in the intercooler/CAC. Then, when you hammer on it, the water gets sucked in, causes mis-firing and kills the catalytic converter with the raw fuel and moisture going into the exhaust. It just so happens that the left bank gets the brunt of it.
In my case, I suspected it was going to happen and let off almost immediately when I noticed the power drop off. I stayed off the gas for few seconds, trying to feather the throttle once or twice and finally got a response after about 10-15 seconds. Right back to normal, no codes at the time. Then, I was dumb enough to try it again... and it happened the second time. Let it clear out, then drove the rest of the way without a problem (1.5hrs)
Then, after a few restarts and driving empty after we got to the campground, it sensed the catalytic converter was not operating efficiently and threw the code (PO430).
Made an appointment at the dealer. New left bank catalytic converter, reflash, new version CAC, a few hours, no charge. Don't notice any difference in power. The new CAC has the same shield on top that the old one had.
Like I said, I was aware of this issue before buying the truck and knew it was a possibility. Although I knew it was physically possible, I was skeptical about how easy it would be to create the problem. Well, given the perfect conditions, it happens, quite predictably. Thinking it cannot happen on these trucks is like thinking a dog will never bite.
Now I know what not to do after warranty is up, unless I want to pay for a new left bank converter:)
