Hey guys! I recently purchased an 03 F250 SD, 6.0 4wd with 142k miles. Modifications include, 4" turbo back, egr delete, K&N intake system. Over the past few years the truck sat more then it was driven. So initially, while running/driving, the truck had no turbo whistle at all and lacked a lot of power. Also had a CEL for an ICP sensor. I bought it and on the way home the turbo began to whistle more and it gained a little more power. I got it home and ordered a replacement ICP sensor, which made the CEL go away. But did not have a noticeable power difference. After doing some research, and purchasing an Edge CTS 3 monitor, I saw my VGT was almost constantly at 85% I decided to remove the turbo for a cleaning, and it definitely needed it. The turbo itself is in great shape, no shaft play, it doesn't smoke, no excessive oil in the piping. But the surface where the unison ring rotates on was rough. Even after cleaning it, there is some pitting but the ring slides freely. I did notice that if I installed the ring on the arm and rotated it by hand all the way to the left, it would get stuck and not move back to the right unless I took the ring back off and moved the arm by itself. I thought maybe its doesn't move that far when its functioning in the truck so I re-installed the turbo. It ran better, briefly... After some more research I found that the EBP sensor could be the issue. It seems like MAP, BARO and EBP should all be very close in values on the monitor. Idling MAP= 15 BARO=15 EBP=2. So I removed the EBP sensor and tube and cleaned everything out, including the elbow that the sensor screws into and the fitting that's attached to the exhaust manifold. No change. So I ordered a new OEM EBP sensor. No change. I should probably mention that throughout this process I have not had a CEL come back. I made a boost leak tester and it held 20-25 psi just fine. I have a fuel pressure gauge installed as well and it stays right at 63 psi, even while driving. I have also replaced both fuel filters.
The truck cranks, runs and drives just fine, no hiccups or stalls, it just lacks power and does not have any engine "roar". VGT sits at 85% once it warms up a little. Cold start is around 82%. It has an extremely loud whistle during light/medium acceleration. And if you give it half throttle or more and let out, the turbo "barks" or has compressor surge.
Im to the point where I think the turbo needs to be replaced but Id hate to spent that kind of money and not fix the problem. Does anybody else have a suggestion as to what this could be? I can post a few videos of the truck running/driving if it will help.

 

Couple things I have done today. Looked for black soot that may indicate an exhaust leak at the y pipe and turbo. Nothing found. Checked ebp values at idle while the pigtail is disconnected, reads 2-3 psi, same reading when its plugged in.. Checked MAF values. Reads 0.015 all of the time. Idle, revving, or brake boosting. 0 lbs/min in those same scenarios.

 

It is unlikely that an 03 will use the EBP sensor output. There was a PCM update that eliminated it and enables the PCM to "infer" that reading. I would bet almost ALL the 03.s have had that update. That said, there is always an exception.

What are you using to get codes and PID values?
What was the specific name of the PID that you called up to get an EBP value?

 

Thanks for your response. I am using the Edge CTS 3 to monitor values. Im not sure the specific name but it displays EBP psi. This is my first diesel and first time using any sort of monitoring system. I will look to see if I can find any specific information about that particular PID.

 

Do you know if it has received the "Field Service Action 06E17" (or SSM 19141) - this is the PCM update that enables the "inferred EBP" strategy.

Vehicles built prior to Sept 29,2003 (does not include vans; this update is ALSO when DTC P006A and DTC P132B were introduced):
The presentation I have states May 5 2006 or May 10, 2006 is when this strategy presentation was made, but a Ford training video says July 2006 is when it went into effect.

 

I am unaware of that has been done. Should I be able to call any dealer and find out by a vin search?

 

yes .

 

I was able to call and confirm that the update was applied to my truck back in 2006. So what reads my ebp? Or how does that work now?

While on the phone with the dealership they let me explain my issues to a tech. His response was that the issue was within the turbo. I have the turbo back out of the truck and apart. If I put the unison ring on the actuator arm and rotate the ring to the right (making the arm go left) the arm sticks and I cant get it to rotate back the other way. If I spin the ring all the way left (making the arm go right) I can get the ring to rotate back without a problem.

Im wondering if the arm hole on the unison ring isn't stretch out and allowing the arm to over-swing, causing by vanes to be stuck in the closed position..

 

Exhaust Back Pressure is now “inferred” through the use of inputs from the MAF, MAP, BARO, and EOT sensors. These sensors now provide a more critical function for turbocharger control. The issue is probably with one of these sensors.

As a result, the new PCM function places increased importance on MAF input, MAP input , turbo performance, intake integrity, exhaust integrity, etc. It is possible that driveability issues may arise or be more pronounced following 06E17 update.

See attached.

 

So my maf reading should not be .015v and 0 lbs/min with this update? Because that’s what they are currently reading. Voltage goes up slightly under a load. Maybe a tenth…lbs/min is always 0.

And wow! Just read through that. Very informative! Couple concerns. It states that certain upgrades will have adverse affects on drive-ability (i.e. exhaust and air intake) which my truck has both. It also has a deleted EGR system.. I thought I read somewhere that if the egr is deleted, then the maf is only good for reading AIT. Does that mean that it stops reading maf inputs?