It looks like the skid plate is removable? If so that would confirm if it is restricting air too much.
P026A Charge Air Cooler Inefficient
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.
Attachments
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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?
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?
Attachments
@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.
![Font Paper Number Writing Document]()
![Font Paper Multimedia Screenshot Document]()
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.
Great info, gentlemen!
@STIAJW: I don't really have any access to the FORScan tools, other than the dealership. Do you think one of the techs would take a little ride with me and see what the temps are?
So a little more backstory, to clarify. Originally, I set the 'check engine' light off pulling the 5' x 10' trailer, loaded with 50 10' long panels; I think the panels weighed 26 lbs a piece. 50 x 26 = 1,300 lbs
Arrived at my destination, unhooked the trailer.
The next day, with the 'check engine' light on, pulled this trailer loaded with the Bobcat, tree shears, and grapple bucket. Guy at Sunbelt Rentals said it was in the neighborhood of 7-8k lbs, and truck didn't nearly have the power it usually does. Very hilly roads in the Texas Hill Country and I was taking it easy.
Cut holes in the skidplate last night, via drill press and cordless drill, no turning back now. Thanks for all the useful information. I am really hoping these holes in the skidplate help with power, and keep the check engine light off. I don't really pull much at all, maybe a few times a year.
Cheers and happy Thursday.
@STIAJW: I don't really have any access to the FORScan tools, other than the dealership. Do you think one of the techs would take a little ride with me and see what the temps are?
So a little more backstory, to clarify. Originally, I set the 'check engine' light off pulling the 5' x 10' trailer, loaded with 50 10' long panels; I think the panels weighed 26 lbs a piece. 50 x 26 = 1,300 lbs
Arrived at my destination, unhooked the trailer.
The next day, with the 'check engine' light on, pulled this trailer loaded with the Bobcat, tree shears, and grapple bucket. Guy at Sunbelt Rentals said it was in the neighborhood of 7-8k lbs, and truck didn't nearly have the power it usually does. Very hilly roads in the Texas Hill Country and I was taking it easy.
Cut holes in the skidplate last night, via drill press and cordless drill, no turning back now. Thanks for all the useful information. I am really hoping these holes in the skidplate help with power, and keep the check engine light off. I don't really pull much at all, maybe a few times a year.
Cheers and happy Thursday.
Attachments
@ beaker: good to know regarding the NACA ducts, I had to google it, but great info.
Had some time to work on the skidplate over the weekend, throwing aluminum chips all over my garage. I thought the thickness of the aluminum was a little thin in the middle when I finished cutting the holes out, so added 1 1/4" aluminum flat bar to add more rigidity.
I'll keep updating this thread with progress, thank you fellas for the valuable information.
Had some time to work on the skidplate over the weekend, throwing aluminum chips all over my garage. I thought the thickness of the aluminum was a little thin in the middle when I finished cutting the holes out, so added 1 1/4" aluminum flat bar to add more rigidity.
I'll keep updating this thread with progress, thank you fellas for the valuable information.
Attachments
Had a few hours on Sunday to work on it. I am happy with it, not thrilled. I am my harshest critic, so I want everything to be perfect, immaculate, and look like it was done by a computer, which it wasn't. There is some 'bow' to it, and I could probably put a pencil in between the screen and outer aluminum sheet. I can see some little imperfections about the lines not being exactly parallel, but I think that's about all I can do at this point. Kind of tired of messing with it, and want it to be done and finished at this point.
Does anyone know of a company that can cut a sheet of aluminum to the rough specs attached, either with a laser, water jet, or something similar? I am in Houston, TX, and reached out to a few companies this Sunday afternoon, and waiting to hear back from them during normal business hours. I'm just curious of what it would cost...
Let me know what you think, fellas. Thank you for joining along.
Does anyone know of a company that can cut a sheet of aluminum to the rough specs attached, either with a laser, water jet, or something similar? I am in Houston, TX, and reached out to a few companies this Sunday afternoon, and waiting to hear back from them during normal business hours. I'm just curious of what it would cost...
Let me know what you think, fellas. Thank you for joining along.
Attachments
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
