FordExcursions.com Forums
CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:2/13/2007 12:55 |
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Ever since this past September the mileage on our 7.3L Excursion has gradually dropped dropped and dropped to about 12 MPG which we have never seen before since we took delivery of our Excursion brand new.We're accustomed to filling once a month to where we're down to every 2-3 weeks but we knew something was definitely going on and we had to resolve this before it went any further.
Since around October the injector noise and an unusual sound in cylinder detonation has been on the increase so I did the standard procedures of adjusting fuel pressure,modifying additive amounts/cocktails added to fuel,changing the 6637 filter,adjusting programming,changed the oil early(5,000 miles),checking Ambient and Charge air sensors that they're intact and clean,no boost leaks,kept the fuel level in the tank full,changing fuel suppliers,so on and so forth,yadda yadda yadda.
I had come to my wits end along with my poor wife worn of me constantly analyzing this and that with the truck I was getting close to cutting the Excursion loose but last week after discussing at length with Dennis at ITP about the increased injector and detonation noise I decided to eliminate the new high tech 15PPM ULSD fuel altogether and fill the truck with B20 BioDiesel.
Sunday morning I cruised to one of the DFW B20 stations(21 miles away) and topped off the tank with 22 gallons since I had more than a half tank to start with but this had to be done.
On the ride back to Richardson I wasn't 2-3 miles down the road on Irving Blvd as I clearly noticed the injector noise reducing,engine vibration reducing,turbo whistle increasing,shift points lowering and everything pretty much associated with an engine running higher quality fuel.
The poor performance in our case is the new ULSD 15PPM Diesel Fuel which is to blame for the ULSD has virtually no lubricating properties for the 7.3L Diesel Engine to properly run and perform as designed back in the 1990's.
I will continue to use only B20 Diesel Fuel and when available On Highway LSD 500PPM Diesel Fuel.
Off my soapbox thanks for listening
CHP
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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aklim
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• Hartford, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 2/20/2006 |
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• 133 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 16:54 |
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There is Woodmans which sells groceries and fuel. Every time I loaded up with their fuel, the mileage in the car went down. I run the tank till it is empty and then fill up so it is always full of the new fuel. Well, the car normally gets 600+ miles on a tank but now it is down to 550 at best when on their fuel. So, the problem was with the fuel. Even if you use B20, it is 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel. If your 80% is screwed up, it still affects your mileage. Other than that station, I get pretty consistent mileage BEFORE and now with ULSD. I
Was this low mileage fuel from one place or several different stops? I haven't noticed a thing change with ULSD yet.
01 Excursion. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS Air Filter system, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, 6.0L Trans Cooler and Intercooler, DP-Tuner F6 chip, ITP In Tank Mod and Boost Annihilator, Diesel Innovation's Regulated Fuel kit, BTS Big Oil system, GTP38R Turbo with 1.15 A/R housing and BDP Stage II AC injectors. Bilstein Shocks with U code front and A code Rear. Billet thermostat housing |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/13/2007 17:21 |
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During this time of year we typically average 15-18 mpg but since October about the same time the new new fuel rolled out our mileage has taken a hard nose dive and this is the same for several stations we usually purchase fuel from in our area.
Our main concern was the engines mechanical running status for the injectors were getting louder and there was a pre detonation sound going on.
Now the people that have known me for years on the various forums know how meticulous I am with PowerStroke Diesels as I've persued nearly everything to rectify the issues before giving up(which was soon)
I know of other 7.3L owners experiencing the alike symptoms during the same time period and they also are coming to wits end as well.
******Results for other owners 7.3L's may differ from ours.*****
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Oil-Pig
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• Sheboygan, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/17/2005 |
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• 52 posts |
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:17 |
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Hey Bill I am with you this new USLD sucks!!
I get 6 MPG better running off road or home heating oil then the ULSD sold around here. We don't have any Bio anywhere close yet. The closest station that will let me pump the off road is anout 100 miles away (at least thats the only one I know of) Its almost worth the drive. Its better for my baby and cheaper of course. I don't like not paying the road tax but I like the fuel mileage increase and a little sulfur keeps everything lubed up. Hopefully the Bio blends get more widespread.
I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks then in the drink with the boat on the rocks.... But either way theres gonna be a good story!!!  |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/13/2007 22:53 |
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I was actually hoping the new high tech fuel wouldn't have any adverse effects on our PowerStroke but well it happened and we just have to adjust to it 
I dunno if you have the directory for Bio Diesel locations in your area but here's the current listing,see if any of them are in within driving range 
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/showstate.asp?st=WI
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Oil-Pig
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• Sheboygan, WI, USA |
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• Registered on 11/17/2005 |
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• 52 posts |
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Posted:2/16/2007 10:09 |
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Thanks for the link the closest is about an hour and 15 minutes away but on the way to my place up north. Next time I go up I will fill her up and post the results.
Chris
I'd rather be in the boat with a drink on the rocks then in the drink with the boat on the rocks.... But either way theres gonna be a good story!!! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/16/2007 10:45 |
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Another friend of mine locally was having the same issues with his 2002 along the same timeline,well it turns out he went to a BioDiesel supplier that has B20 which he filled at with the same positive results,except he filled a couple weeks before I did 
I think even a blend of B10 would produce alike results
Check it out and post your feedback 
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:2/18/2007 10:37 |
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Bill,
Thanks to experienced PSD owners like yourself, new kids on the block like me have a better chance of staying out of trouble. I have found a local B20 station thanks to your link and will fill up ASAP. I have been experiencing the same drop in MPG since the end of 06. The sound of the engine is completely different since the new fuel. A much louder, dryer sound is coming from the injectors. I thought it may be the blue CPS that I installed. I will go back to the stock CPS just in case. This whole issue is just like the muslecar days when high octane, leaded fuel went away.
Do you know of any additives that can help with the lubrication issues for the PSD? I am more concerned with engine health than MPG at this point. What has the B20 done to your MPG if anything? Would you happen to know what is sold at truck stops? Is it LSD500PPM?
Thanks,
Brian
2002 Excursion PSD
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:2/18/2007 12:40 |
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Hey Brian,
There's a few additives I've used in combination with the new ULSD fuel which did not resolve the injector/detonation issues.
Power Service Diesel Kleen found at Walmart and Tractor Supply Company.
Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment found in most auto parts stores(Autozone,Napa,etc)
Prior to the rollout of the watered down ULSD I regularly used Power Service and Lucas with my fuel and gave great performance every time
Check to see if one of the Flying J Truckstops is in your vicinity as many of their locations still carry the 500PPM Low Sulfur Diesel which is what our trucks are accustomed to running on.The pumps are usually the ones where all the Big Rigs fill up at and the pumps will be clearly marked as 500PPM Low Sulfur Diesel all the rest is 15PPM ULSD which we now have to avoid now.
If you do fill up at the B20 station do change your fuel filter after the first tank run through as the BioDiesel will do a great job of cleaning out all the varnishes,dirt,etc from the water separator unit,tank,lines,pump,etc which in the end is better performance and higher fuel pressure.
Personally I'd swap out the blue CPS for the stocker as the bumped advance from the blue CPS could be attributing to the pre detonation from the cylinder/s but I'd get the B20 or 500PMM LSD fuel in there first.
How many miles on your oil if I may ask as that's one of the areas that I changed to eliminate from the possibles.
I posted a similar discussion thread HERE
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:2/19/2007 07:55 |
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Bill,
Thanks very much for the info. I changed the oil 1000 miles ago with Rotella 15W40. I am a bit concerned about using the 15w40 this time of year but the winter is fairly short here. My local PSD buddies say thay use it all year round. I have been chatting with "Oil-Pig" on the Excursion forum who uses 5W40 Rotella synthetic all year round. I will let you know of my results with the B20 and CPS change. Thanks again. Brian
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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