FICM rollback MPG's

[ttcbr600rr]

FICM rollback to VXCF4D3.
2005 F250 SCREW, 6.0, 373, 4" cat back, 325/65/18 BFG's, Gryphon.

Stock, no load, Hwy only @ 70MPH 16.9 MPG
Extreme, no load, Hwy only @ 70MPH 17.5 MPG
80 Hp DD, no load, Hwy only @ 70MPH 18.1 MPG
Economy, no load, Hwy only @ 70MPH 20.7 MPG @65MPH 20.9
Economy, no load, City only 17.1 MPG
80 Hp DD, no load, City only 13.8 MPG
80 Hp DD, 4800lbs, City only 13.4 MPG

Before FICM rollback
Stock, no load, Hwy only @70MPH 15.8 MPG
Tow, 5200lbs, Hwy only @ 64MPH 12.1 MPG
Economy, 5200lbs, City only 10.4 MPG
Economy, no load, City only 14.8 MPG
Tow, no load, City only 14.1 MPG

these are my findings, hope that anyone can use this for reference.

Thanks PHP

[ff0326]

My before #'s were almost identical as yours before roll back. After rollback no change, maybe even less.:cursin:

[ttcbr600rr]

yeah, I ran the gryphon for a solid year thinking. Where in the heck is all of the great mileage that everyone is talking about? Then I read into the FICM roll back and noticed that I had a VXCF7xx. The cash hurt to pay for it up front but the run I just put on that ole beast made me grin every time I put the hose in the tank. It isn't much but now my big ole cow gets just as good as my wife's Nitro.... she :throwup: over that.

[Power Hungry]

My before #'s were almost identical as yours before roll back. After rollback no change, maybe even less.:cursin:

I have a small handful of customers that have had similar complaints that the rollback didn't offer any significant change. In many case, the problem was related to a sensor problem (the EBP sensor specifically) and once that was corrected the vehicles performed much better and economy improved. I still have 1 or 2 trucks that just never saw any gains and I am at a loss to offer an explanation in those situations. :hmmm:

If you haven't already, check out the EBP sensor and see if it, or the exhaust tube to it, are clogged. Clearing out the sensor and tube just might help. :thumbs up yellow:

Let me know what you find.

Tim,

Those are awesome numbers! I'd say they are probably above average, but certainly not going to complain. :D

[ff0326]

Where do I find the EBP? Would it show up on a code reader? Yep. Stuck at 15.4 mpg with the programer. My '04's would run in the 18's on the same roads with the programer.

[Power Hungry]

Oddly, the EBP never seems to set a DTC, even when clogged. The sensor is located on the Drivers side of the engine and connects to a tube which runs to the front of the driver's side exhaust manifold. It's pretty easy to find. Let me know if you have any difficulty locating it and I'll see if I can get a diagram of it for you.

[atk]

usually located on top(bolted to) of the thermostat housing, hope this helps....i to will looking at my sensor, haven`t seen the improvements i was hoping for in the mpg after doing ficm reprogram and ecm/tcm rollback and new custom tunes. the tube is clear, may just replace sensor and try that(not expensive part)....other then that, truck works awsome....thanks Bill

[ttcbr600rr]

Tim,

Those are awesome numbers! I'd say they are probably above average, but certainly not going to complain. :D

Thanks again Bill for the tunes. Many miles have put on my beast lately and am a very happy customer. I will continue to be an influence to send you business from the eastern nc area. Your tunes have allowed my family and I to enjoy our truck.

from my family to yours, thanks.

Tim

[ff0326]

Checked for the EPB valve this weekend. Could not locate one. Did they do away with them when they upgraded the heads in the '05-'06's??????

[Power Hungry]

Nope... still there. Front of Driver's side exhaust manifold has a stainless steel tube which leads to the sensor.

[superdutynick]

Bill,
Would the EBP cause MPG loss on all FICM strategies? Are there any other symptoms to look for to help diagnose it?

[Power Hungry]

Since EBP affects the ECM specifically, there would ideally be a loss across any of the possible FICM strategies. However, some FICM strategies might experience more severe loss than others.

Keep in mind that the EBP sensor is just one aspect of a number of things that can affect mileage. It just happens to be something that we see quite frequently.

[superdutynick]

While poking around I found this (6.0 PowerStroke bulletins (http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/60bulletin.htm)), which might explin things.

2003/04 Computer Programming Recall 06E17:
Truck built before 9-29-03 are being recalled to have the computer reprogrammed. The reason for this recall is to correct fuel injection timing during cold operation, EGR valve control, lack of power, check engine light illumination (P02263 or P0299), hard starting and rough running concerns related to Exhaust BackPressure sensor corrosion. Other symptoms not listed in this recall, but which could occur, would be excessive smoke, turbo control and surging at idle or cruise. The new update eliminates the EBP sensor input to the computer. The exhaust backpressure will now be inferred/calculated using other sensor signals. Trucks should be reprogrammed using versions 41.8 or 42.1 or higher.
After this reprogramming, the truck should be test driven, the computer checked for a codes and the codes cleared (even if none are present), the key cycled on for five seconds, then turned off twice, then the engine started and allowed to idle for 5 minutes at operating temperature to allow the computer to relearn the EGR valve closed position value. This is to prevent erronious codes or driveability sysmptoms related to the EGR valve an turbo performance. Broadcast Messages 5452, 5529.
You should notice an increase in turbo cycling closed/whistling at idle and at stops. This is normal, and is to help keep the variable vanes from sticking.

So Ford was having probmles with the EBP and decided to ignore it?

[Power Hungry]

Since Ford couldn't do anything about the ROOT of the problem (the EGR system), they simply mask the symptoms and disregard the EBP sensor by using the inferred EBP strategies. It's no different than when they used inductive heating strategies in the FICM to "eliminate" the stiction problems with the injectors. Rather then fix the spool valve design, just heat the injectors up.

[ff0326]

Found the valve, pull it along with the tube, pretty clean just some minor soot. Cleaned it up and re-installed. Doubt that I will see any differance:sigh:

[ff0326]

Here we are 5 months later, no increase in mileage. One thing I can say is that I can run my predator 100 hp rating and still pull 24k lb total weight with out running over 900 deg. egt. Nice to have the extra umpffffff on tap.