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Engine Is Possessed
Yesterday, the engine did some really strange stuff. It corrected itself and then did it again.
1) Staying in third gear downhill.
2) Having to accelerate going downhill to maintain 45!
3) Max speed up a slight grade 50.
4) Gas usage dropping below 2MPG (as computed by Scanguage)

Your best guess. The Computer?

Our next jump will put in Portland where I can take it to a dealer.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #1
Is the "Check Engine" light on?
If so, do you have a way of reading the code(s)?

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 Is Possessed
Reply #2
I hate to hear that Don. A couple of questions:

1) Is the check engine light lit? Are there any codes present?
2) Did you happen to notice if the OD light on your gear shifter knob was either on or flashing when the "stuck in 3rd gear" and/or are you able to turn the OD off & on?
3) Have you checked the tranny fluid? Does it smell burnt and/or have a very dark color to it?
4) Were you aware of any black "smoke" coming from the tailpipe and/or did the exhaust have a very acrid smell to it?
5) Did you happen to notice the symptoms immediately following a fill-up at a gas station out in the middle of no-where?
6) Do you have a toad and if so, are the possessed symptoms present with and/or without toad attached?

Just off the top of my head...

A drastic reduction in gas mileage may just be something as simple as contaminated fuel, fuel pressure regulator failure or clogged fuel filter. Darker causes would be clogged pump socks and/or failed fuel pump(s).

Tranny issue may stem from fluid conditions (low and/or burnt). If it's isolated to just one gear, then may be faulty solenoid associated with that gear's clutch (inside the tranny).

I hate to "easter egg", but I know how it is to be stranded out on the road.
I would suggest to start with the easiest/simplest first;
A) Check tranny fluid.
B) Check to see if she's running rich (too much gas).
C) If she's throwing codes (check engine light is lit) go to just about any auto parts store and have them read the codes (free).

Ray
Now doing without...

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #3
Don, if you put it in neutral, does it coast easily? Something causing the brakes to intermittently bind, such as a pressure relief port in the master cylinder blocked could masquerade as an engine issue.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #4
No codes, or at least none the Scanguage detected.
No check engine light.
Switched out of OD, no change.
Symptoms came, went, returned and vanished again in the space of an hour or so.

Tranny fluid is pink, had it changed 2,500 miles back. I would not suspect the transmission, fuel filter, etc. I do suspect a bad sensor, or bad info from say a defective check valve giving the "computer" bad info.

Thursday, Have an appointment at Northside Ford in Portland Monday morning. First thing to be checked will be  a defective check valve.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy


Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #6
"Yesterday, the engine did some really strange stuff. It corrected itself and then did it again.
1) Staying in third gear downhill.
2) Having to accelerate going downhill to maintain 45!
3) Max speed up a slight grade 50.
4) Gas usage dropping below 2MPG (as computed by Scanguage)
Your best guess. The Computer?
Our next jump will put in Portland where I can take it to a dealer."

Don, can you report back on what the problem was? By now, you must have had it looked at/repaired.
It wasn't demonic possession was it?

Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #7
We finally found a garage with experienced Ford V10 mechanics and they went over it yesterday. I learned the "computer" stores history for a long period of time. He went back in time to the day it happened and found nothing of any significance before or after the event. There were no codes (Same as the Scanguage) We are up to date on TSB's. He cleaned the Mass Air Flow sensor and reset the Keep The Memory Alive (I should have asked what that is)  He did tweak some parameters, lean at idle and another one I can not recall. But nothing that he thought addressed what happened.

We have driven seven times since the event and the engine behaves normally. Sometimes she does not shift from 3 to 4 at first opportunity but that has occurred from time-to-time for several years, so that's normal for us.

Bottom line, she is possessed, but a good night's sleep in the Oregon forest sets her right again.

We re-learned getting an RV serviced is really problematic. Many Ford dealers will not allow them in the shop. When you find a place that will work on one, they are backed up for several days. He was able to work us in after four days. If you think you may ever need engine, brake, etc. service in western Oregon, make a note of Steinhauer Automotive in Junction City. Sam is the owner and an easy to get along with chap.

It would be nice to say the problem was identified and corrected.

On the HVAC, a minor leak was found in the hose which is buried below the battery and several other parts that must be removed to gain access. It is 6.5 hour labor job. They did not have the time to get to it in the next few days. And it's only a minor annoyance right now. Maybe, I can do it myself at home. I am pretty good in the removal/destruction phase. They said vacuum is not involved in shifting for this engine.

Thanks to Larry Wade for his assistance in this.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #8
Don said, "If you think you may ever need engine, brake, etc. service in western Oregon, make a note of Steinhauer Automotive in Junction City. Sam is the owner and an easy to get along with chap."

Thx, Don--someday I expect the northwest will be on my agenda, though I hope to not need this info.

Did I dream it, or was there a discussion about a subheading for service recommendations (like the Destinations & Favorite Boondocking ideas)?   I used to be great at Trivial Pursuit all those years ago, but now I find the mental catch-all drawers sometimes overflow into each other & I wonder where I put that darned screwdriver (or maybe I didn't even have the screwdriver in the first place)??   :D

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm

Re: Engine Is Possessed
Reply #9
On Yahoo there was a list of service locations, so it's still around. Not sure how up to date it is.
It would be a great feature here, if it could be organized by state, and kept pruned of off topic posts.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy