Loss of power when towing/ engine brake probs
 

This is an 08 6.4L 4x4 SD with only 8500 miles on it. When towing a 9000 lb 5er, can't go up a 6% grade at more than 48 mph, 2500 rpm, 2.5 turbo meter and floored. Will not downshift! It used to fly but no longer. Also, engine brake either doesn't work or works on its own. One last thing - we have a shutter from a stop into 2nd gear with pedal to the floor. That doesn't happen all the time either. Ford engineers check their computers during test drive but after 6 dealerships from Indiana to California and over 45 days in the shop - they claim that there is nothing wrong with the truck - as they compare it to something fresh off the lot. We went for a two hour test drive with 5er on the back and Ford Engineers. They claim shutter from drive shaft and angles being changed with 5er on, but cannot explain why it is sporatic. Anyone else have these types of probs? Getting frustrated with non-sense answers and nothing being done to the truck.

Does it only do it when your pulling a load??

Just talk to TXredman, sounds like your truck and his are twin brothers. He just went through texas' lemon law suit for very similar problems on his '08. Same deal, in and out of the shop, kept getting the run around on a lemon truck.

Only under tow....now they want to shim the rear to take care of shutter that is none existent in the beginning of the hour and after running about an hour - will shutter on demand. I don't want them to shim because it does not address the sporatic nature.

Don't let them shim it. That is not the problem. Mine did that the first time when I was pulling my camper (around 12,000 lbs) then after that it started doing it empty to. It was sporadic just like yours. I don't even think its because of the tranny, in my opinion its something in the computer that makes the tranny shift funny. With these trucks it seems like guys either love them and have no probs or it is one thing after another. In TX you can get the state involved in the lemon law deal - for $35 they take care of the whole deal. I wasn't even looking to get mine bought back but after almost a year of non-sense answers and nothing being fixed, I wanted it gone. :bat:

Thanks for the feedback. Ford is now telling us that it is 'normal' for the truck to only be able to pull the 5th wheeler up a 6% hill at 42 MPH floored according to their computer. 5th wheeler weighs around 9800 pounds. They will authorize nothing further so today we are picking it up and seeking legal assistance for here in California. Total to date the truck has been in the shop 41 days, 6 dealerships and nonsense answers (ie - shimming). We are really frustrated with the total failure of Ford to address these situations: Sporatic engine brake, 6.4L only able to tow 42 MPH up a slight incline, and the nonsense of the shim??? Ford can have this back! We can't tow like this - it is simply unsafe! I doubt that I will ever buy another Ford. Their customer service is pretty lousy. I had one gal in Dearborn Michigan tell me I could send a letter and she'll make sure it gets put into my file. What???? I wanted someone to read it and address the nonsense. Just a total customer service blow-off! Thanks again for the response.

If you need any help going thru this deal let me know, I will be GLAD to help. Shawn Tracy (cell) 817-205-8525 - email is stracy@att.blackberry.net - if you do text messages that works to. Good luck on this deal. From experience you need to get a hold of ALL of the dealers you have taken the truck to and get ALL paperwork for your truck. Make sure they give it all to you and if you have your copies keep them to. Go to court over prepared! Again, let me know what I can do to help. :c::pals:

wow thaks some bs. i would give them there truck back as well. buy another one from a different dealer

Well, Ford says no error codes = your truck is operating as intended. We declined shimming to be done. Engineer denied experiencing lack of power up hill, engine brake not engaging etc. Engineer claimed all transmission shifting occurred as intended but never addressed why it didn't downshift going down hill when brake was applied other than there were no error codes. Tomorrow sending all documents to attorneys. Will keep you all posted on what happens next.

Next saga
 

Out over the weekend and the truck started leaking coolant all over the place. Limped it home after putting over 1 gallon of water into the radiator (dealership told us to) and had truck towed over to the dealership today. Just one more thing that has gone wrong with this truck! Will keep ya all posted. This is a Job 1, F-250 6.4L, 2008. If they have to pull the cab to do the repairs I am going to ask them to check the wiring harness and turbos while they are at it. Any suggestions of anything else they should check for the loss of power (6% grade) in tow mode, no down shifting when in tow mode after applying brake, and shuttering from 1st to 2nd??? Here we go again!

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Update.........not on any recall list but the 'leak' was the radiator seam. This truck is getting worse by the day!