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Topic: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD (Read 690 times) previous topic - next topic
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Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this.

I just headed out from a week in west Texas, into New Mexico, and I noticed a lack of power climbing some of those hills into Roswell, then again, headed through Santa Fe into Taos, (where i'm staying at the moment. I could barely get above 40 on some of those hills!). Also, when I went through stop and go traffic going through towns, the engine seemed to be running a bit rough. Though, it seems to be running just fine cruising down flat-ish roads at highway speeds.  

I pulled out my ODB II reader, and it's showing p0171 (right engine bank lean), p0300 (random cyl misfire) and some various p03xx codes.  A little research has suggestions all over the map, vacuum hose leak, fuel filter, dirty injector, one of a number of sensors.  My rig has 174k miles on it, so I'm not *too* surprised something might be going off. Just wondering if anyone has seen something like this.

In any case, I've made an appointment at the nearest Ford dealer on my route north (in Alamosa, CO), I'm just pondering what they might find. :P
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #1 –
Maybe electric fuel transfer pump failed.  My '88 MB peaked out at 40 on the flats. when the tank is below 1/4 tank with a dead transfer pump.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #2 –
Hi Monsyne, sounds like your fuel pump can't deliver enough fuel to keep the pressure up on the fuel injector rail. A partially plugged up external filter would be the first and cheapest fix. Otherwise at 174K miles, the filter sock in the tank, or the fuel pump in the tank could be plugged up or failing. A pressure gauge on the fuel delivery rail would tell you about that (Ford dealer) but would read ok on low load. It would show low pressure on high fuel demand. RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #3 –
Monsyne

I'd have to agree with Ron B.! Those symptoms are very familiar. I'm on my fourth (4th) fuel pump, the others averaging about 55,000mi.

If it is your fuel pump and you have logged 174K you have beaten the odds 3X over.   8)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #5 –
Quoting from my records... my 1st replacement took place in Lone Pine, CA on Aug. 24th 2009 by Miller's Towing and the bottom line was $590.

That pump only lasted until the following year, when, on Aug 12th 2010 it was replaced a 2nd time by Brattain International Trucks in Springfield, OR in the amount of $989.

That's quite a disparity of cost... one would think that the remote out of the way location would have been the more expensive but in this case it was the opposite.   :(

Looks like I'm coming up on seven years with the most recent pump and roughly 42,000 miles later.  O:)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #6 –
6/09/2014
Kendall Ford (Dealer)
Florence, Oregon

Total: $911 (Parts: $466  Labor: $445)

Good Luck!
2000 MB
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #7 –
Another guess, spark plug coils.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #8 –
My experience, a couple of years ago, on Sherman grade with similar running problems: discovered plugged external fuel filter and plugged catalytic converter.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #9 –
I wouldn't replace the fuel pump without some additional diagnostics.  A lot of things could cause the problems you're seeing.
 
I was quoted between $1000 and $1500 recently for fuel pump replacement in a 2003.  The pump alone at the dealer cost ~$500.  The same pump on Amazon was $270. 

If diagnostics confirm that it is the fuel pump, be sure to have them replace the short section of generator fuel hose attached to the pump at the same time.  Yours is probably cracked if it is original.

I never leave for a big trip without $2k in my pocket (figuratively).  Fuel Pump, fridge, transmission....those can all cost real money.  Luckily, I usually return with the $2k.

Who said RVing was a cheap way to travel?

Rich
'03 MB in NC
2003 MB
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #10 –
Rich

100% agreement.
Without a proper diagnosis, all we are doing is guessing.
While the fuel pump is a possible cause, there are other things that can cause similar symptoms.
Bad coils, sensor problems, a plugged catalytic converter are only some of the potential issues.

Yes, we always travel with several credit cards, just in case something expensive dies.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #11 –
"I'm just pondering what they might find..."
----
 JMO, but I would make a detailed list of the symptoms/"behaviors" that you've experienced to discuss with the service writer, but not suggest possible causes of the issues; too much potential of the shop going only by what is offered (particularly if you have no experience with this particular place), and not taking the time or making a thorough effort to get an accurate diagnosis.

Please post if/when the problem is diagnosed.

YMMV, of course.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #12 –
Wow on that fuel pump change quote. I'll need to check the invoice but I had the fuel pump changed, tranny fluid changed and oil changed at the local Ford dealer last Spring for between $325-$375.

More good reasons to live in flyover country? 😙

Dave
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #13 –
Quote from: huskerblue  - 
Wow on that fuel pump change quote. I'll need to check the invoice but I had the fuel pump changed, tranny fluid changed and oil changed at the local Ford dealer last Spring for between $325-$375
Check your invoice, $375 would barely cover the cost of the parts.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #14 –
Quote from: huskerblue  - 
Wow on that fuel pump change quote. I'll need to check the invoice but I had the fuel pump changed, tranny fluid changed and oil changed at the local Ford dealer last Spring for between $325-$375.

More good reasons to live in flyover country? 😙

Dave

I would think a fuel filter for that not a pump.

Jim
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #15 –
🤓 Whoops. Yes, never mind.
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #16 –
Dave said,   "More good reasons to live in flyover country? 😙"  then, "🤓 Whoops. Yes, never mind."

Even with the advantages of Larry & LD Wizards R Us, & so many of the cult who share their knowledge & expertise, on the west side of the rockies, there are some advantages to flyover country.  Vince quoted me $370 + $540 for shipping on a basic black unprimed fake spare tire cover.  Though it won't be as cheap as Cheryl/Desert Diva talked about for her paint job in Mexico, I was able to find the two broken shards (after that d$#!%d mailbox jumped up behind me) & my guy out here in the boonies said he can put it back together...his estimate of about $13K for the cover/fixing my bent electric step/the various little "oops & arrrghs" I've accumulated/painting & striping the oxidized mid/light green & the dark bottom green so the whole thing looks new & pretty/etc. & topcoating her is certainly cheaper than if I drove back to the factory & paid SoCal prices.

On the other hand, finding people who know about solar is not so easy out here in the boonies...seems like most of the people I've met back here are of the plug-in-at-a-campground variety...they always seem surprised when I talk of boondocking & not having to mess with a generator/etc.

Lynne

Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #17 –
I brought my LD into the mechanics this morning (Town & Country Ford in Alamosa, CO), just got off the phone with them.
They tested all the sensors, fuel pressures, etc. All good.
As far as they can tell, it was just bad spark plugs!  One was outright bad, and the others were not properly gapped. 

I'll pick it up tomorrow morning, & perhaps chat with the mechanic a bit more.
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #18 –
One bad plug that didn't work AT ALL would make the engine sound rough at idle and decrease the power.  The effect of the plugs that weren't gapped correctly probably wasn't noticeable.  I wonder why that one plug failed completely.  That sounds odd.  I don't recall ever having one spark plug completely fail without another related problem (failed coil, worn rings and oil contamination, etc)

I had suspected a fuel filter or sensor from your description.

Good luck with the fix.
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 
Dave said,  "More good reasons to live in flyover country? 😙"  then, "🤓 Whoops. Yes, never mind."

Even with the advantages of Larry & LD Wizards R Us, & so many of the cult who share their knowledge & expertise, on the west side of the rockies, there are some advantages to flyover country.  Vince quoted me $370 + $540 for shipping on a basic black unprimed fake spare tire cover.  Though it won't be as cheap as Cheryl/Desert Diva talked about for her paint job in Mexico, I was able to find the two broken shards (after that d$#!%d mailbox jumped up behind me) & my guy out here in the boonies said he can put it back together...his estimate of about $13K for the cover/fixing my bent electric step/the various little "oops & arrrghs" I've accumulated/painting & striping the oxidized mid/light green & the dark bottom green so the whole thing looks new & pretty/etc. & topcoating her is certainly cheaper than if I drove back to the factory & paid SoCal prices.

On the other hand, finding people who know about solar is not so easy out here in the boonies...seems like most of the people I've met back here are of the plug-in-at-a-campground variety...they always seem surprised when I talk of boondocking & not having to mess with a generator/etc.

Lynne
So the number is $13,000 for all the work? I, too, played chicken with a mailbox but suffered only a crease down the faux tire cover. I had it repaired/painted at the factory and it's held up well. Can't remember how much it was.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Blueox25  - 
One bad plug that didn't work AT ALL would make the engine sound rough at idle and decrease the power.  The effect of the plugs that weren't gapped correctly probably wasn't noticeable.  I wonder why that one plug failed completely.  That sounds odd.  I don't recall ever having one spark plug completely fail without another related problem (failed coil, worn rings and oil contamination, etc)

I had suspected a fuel filter or sensor from your description.

Good luck with the fix.

Yup, I had suspected the same. Picked up my LD this morning and talked to the mechanics. They said all the plugs looked good except that one. It looked to them like someone had replaced all the plugs except that one, which was beyond worn-out. He also said the plugs were not torqued down properly (which is a bit scary, given the propensity of V10's of this vintage to blow their plugs out of the engine on occasion, if not tightened properly!). I'm suspecting a bit of amateur mechanic work at some point before I owned the rig. (I've had it for a bit over a year)  Fortunately, he said everything else looked good, and it's very clean for it's vintage and mileage.

I can definitely hear the difference in the engine sound, and it's running much better around town. The real test will be climbing those hills heading out of Alamosa this weekend! 
Re: Engine rough at idle, lack of power climbing hills in 24' 03 LD
Reply #21 –
I'm glad to hear that it was a simple fix.  Good luck in the hills!

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life