[whunderwood]

Fellas: I was pulling a little 5' x 10' trailer last weekend with my 2019 F150 3.0 Powerstroke, and my check engine light came on. Turns out it was the P026A, and with a little research, could mean a few things. I have a Addictive Desert Designs pre-runner bumper with an aluminum skidplate that is literally right in front of the intercooler. Please see attached pictures. Any suggestions as to how to fix this? I could drill a few 'speed' holes in the skidplate to help with the airflow. Any other advice is always welcome. Much appreciated.

 

[Dunrollin]

It looks like the skid plate is removable? If so that would confirm if it is restricting air too much.

 

[whunderwood]

Yes, it is removable, but I like having it there, so that's why I was thinking about putting some holes/slats in the aluminum.

Other than checking the coolant level, what else can I rule out easily with the P026A code? Thanks for the reply, Dunrollin.

 

[Laytunes]

yeah, cut enough holes to flow air to the intercooler, or remove it. really the only two ways to deal with it.

 

[STIAJW]

Other than checking the coolant level, what else can I rule out easily with the P026A code?

I haven't looked into it, but I wonder if there may be information available via FORScan where the air cooler air temperature could be monitored with, and without, the aluminum skidplate installed?

 

[jmperlik]

Looks like you are in the same boat as @nenad: F-150 Diesel Engine and Bullbar interference

 

[whunderwood]

Thanks for the replies. Am I safe to assume that the 'louvers' can open or close, depending on intake air temp?

I am planning on drilling a few 3" circles (used far too much painters blue tape, trust me) when the hole saw bit comes in from Amazon tomorrow, then taking a cut off wheel, and connecting them, to make a good sized 'slot' to promote airflow. Skidplate is aluminum, and kind of have one shot at this, so bouncing around different designs for sure.

Thoughts?

 

[Dunrollin]

The lower shutters can be a real pain. Mine went out of adjustment and gave me a long and frustrating journey to get rid of the MIL light. I like your design, and I think you are on the right track. In fact I bet you would solve it with just one of the rows cut.

When you start the engine the lower blades are fully open, they then go through a 15 second check of closing and re-opening, then they close again and you are on you way. Once the sensors call for cool air they re-open. Be sure to clear all codes before you test your new design as the codes are quite persistant.

 

[skyking6565_7560]

Fellas: I was pulling a little 5' x 10' trailer last weekend with my 2019 F150 3.0 Powerstroke, and my check engine light came on. Turns out it was the P026A, and with a little research, could mean a few things. I have a Addictive Desert Designs pre-runner bumper with an aluminum skidplate that is literally right in front of the intercooler. Please see attached pictures. Any suggestions as to how to fix this? I could drill a few 'speed' holes in the skidplate to help with the airflow. Any other advice is always welcome. Much appreciated.

It’s 100% the skid plate that is blocking the airflow. Last year I try to install a push bumper with a deer guard on it and it threw the same code. You cannot put anything in front of that or it’s just not going to get enough airflow. I ended up, taking the bumper off and returning it to the manufacture to my knowledge even though manufacturers claim it’s OK to put it on the diesel, it is not. None of these manufacturers have done any testing to see if their products work on a diesel versus a gasoline engine. Just because it bolts on doesn’t mean it’s going to work .

 

[STIAJW]

@whunderwood, might it be worthwhile to do a "before" and "after" with FORScan to evaluate how much difference there is with the slots cut in the aluminum skidplate?

Below are two pictures of the wide range of PIDs that can be monitored in FORScan. The first picture is the PCM PIDs with "air" in the name. The second picture is the PCM PIDs with "shutter" in the name. Perhaps before and after readings on the Charge Air Cooler temperatures may be interesting. Some of the other PIDs may also be interesting.