Symptom Chart - Engine Performance

2014 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum, RWDSECTION Symptom Chart - Engine Performance
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
SYMPTOM CHART - ENGINE PERFORMANCE

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Difficult starting
  • Inoperative or damaged glow plug system
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Inoperative or damaged starting system
  • INSPECT each system for damage. Refer to the appropriate article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - DIESEL MODELS . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged charging system/battery
  • Burnt valve
  • Worn piston
  • INSPECT the piston(s) for wear. REFER to PISTON INSPECTION . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn piston ring(s)
  • Worn cylinder
  • INSPECT the cylinder bore for wear. REFER to CYLINDER BORE OUT-OF-ROUND . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged head gasket
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the head gasket(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Poor idling
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster
  • Incorrect valve-to-seat contact
  • Damaged head gasket(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the head gasket(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Abnormal combustion
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Leaking or damaged Charge Air Cooler (CAC), upper intake or gaskets
  • EGR system fault
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system
  • INSPECT each system for damage. Refer to the appropriate article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - DIESEL MODELS . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system
  • Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster(s)
  • Burnt or sticking valve
  • Worn valve guides, valves and seals
  • Weak or broken valve spring(s)
  • INSPECT the valve spring(s) for damage. REFER to VALVE SPRING FREE LENGTH . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Turbocharger shaft seals
  • Excessive oil consumption
  • Leaking oil
  • REPAIR oil leakage.
  • Oil dilution (fuel)
  • Malfunctioning crankcase vent oil separator
  • INSPECT the crankcase vent oil separator for damage. REFER to ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn valve stem seal
  • INSPECT the valve(s) and valve stem seal(s) for wear. REFER to VALVE INSPECTION . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn valve stem or valve guide
  • Sticking piston rings
  • Worn piston ring groove
  • INSPECT the piston(s) for wear. REFER to PISTON INSPECTION . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn piston or cylinder
  • Turbocharger shaft seals
  • Insufficient power
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Oil level too high
  • DRAIN oil to correct level.
  • Incorrect engine oil
  • INSTALL correct specification engine oil.
  • Low oil pressure
  • Excessive accessory drive belt loading
  • INSPECT the accessory drive system for damage. REFER to ACCESSORY DRIVE . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system
  • Damaged or plugged exhaust system
  • INSPECT the exhaust system for flow and damage. REFER to EXHAUST SYSTEM . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Incorrect tire size
  • Dragging brakes
  • Slipping transmission
  • Malfunctioning hydraulic lash adjuster
  • Compression leakage at valve seat
  • Seized valve stem
  • INSPECT the valve for wear or damage. REFER to VALVE INSPECTION . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Weak or broken valve spring
  • INSPECT the valve spring. REFER to VALVE SPRING FREE LENGTH . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn or damaged camshaft
  • INSPECT the camshaft for wear or damage. REFER to CAMSHAFT LOBE LIFT . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged head gasket(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the head gasket(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Cracked or distorted cylinder head(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the cylinder head(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring(s)
  • Worn or damaged piston
  • INSPECT the piston for damage. REFER to PISTON INSPECTION . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn or damaged cylinder
  • INSPECT the cylinder for damage. REFER to CYLINDER BORE OUT-OF-ROUND . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Boost leaks or blockage
  • CHECK the air intake ducts, Air Cleaner (ACL), CAC pipes and CAC for leaks and correct fit. REFER to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged turbocharger
  • Low oil pressure
  • Inaccurate gauge reading
  • Low oil level
  • ADJUST the oil level.
  • Oil dilution (fuel)
  • Stuck open oil pressure regulator
  • INSTALL a new engine front cover. REFER to ENGINE FRONT COVER . TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Scored/damaged oil pump
  • INSTALL a new engine front cover. REFER to ENGINE FRONT COVER . TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Broken or damaged piston cooling tubes
  • REMOVE the upper oil pan. REFER to OIL PAN - UPPER . INSPECT the piston cooling tubes. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Front cover gasket leaks
  • REMOVE the engine front cover. REFER to ENGINE FRONT COVER . INSPECT the gasket. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Leaking/missing core plugs
  • INSPECT for leaking/missing core plugs. REFER to CORE PLUG REPLACEMENT . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Worn/damaged/missing bearing shell(s)
  • Restriction in the pickup tube or oil pan
  • REMOVE the upper oil pan. REFER to OIL PAN - UPPER . INSPECT the oil pan and pickup tube. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • External oil leaks
  • INSPECT the engine for oil leaks. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Oil in coolant
  • Damaged head gasket(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the head gasket(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Leaking oil cooler
  • REMOVE the oil cooler. REFER to OIL COOLER . INSPECT the oil cooler. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged cylinder head(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the cylinder head(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Coolant in oil
  • Damaged head gasket(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the head gasket(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Leaking oil cooler
  • REMOVE the oil cooler. REFER to OIL COOLER . INSPECT the oil cooler. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Damaged cylinder head(s)
  • REMOVE the cylinder head(s). REFER to CYLINDER HEAD . INSPECT the cylinder head(s). REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Leaking turbocharger base gasket
  • RH valve cover or gasket
  • REMOVE the RH valve cover. REFER to VALVE COVER - RH . INSPECT the valve cover and gasket. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Engine front cover
  • REMOVE the engine front cover. REFER to ENGINE FRONT COVER . INSPECT the engine front cover gaskets. REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
  • Cracked engine block
  • REPLACE the engine block. REFER to Engine . REPAIR as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.