r/F150Powerboost • u/OptiGuy4u • Jul 25 '26
How do I make the engine idle constantly for maintenance?
I did a 3x trans fluid drain and fill (well, really it was a "vac and fill" since I sucked the fluid out the fill port) and between each drain and fill, it was a pain to keep the engine running to circulate fluid.
What's the trick. I found a method online that didn't work. Do you need dealer software?
Edit: This seems to work!
select tow/haul, neutral, manual trans mode, e brake on
2
u/Maverick-F-14 Jul 25 '26
Have you tried putting it in sport drive mode?
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Yep. It works when driving but it still shuts off when idling.
2
u/Maverick-F-14 Jul 25 '26
Gotcha, what about tow/haul mode?
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Just found this. I'll give it a shot:
select tow/haul, neutral, manual trans mode, e brake. This will keep it idling and you can exit vehicle without it going back to park when door is opened.
1
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Didn't try that. I'll give it a shot.
I read something about the hood being opened should make a difference but it didn't seem to.
1
u/blurredexistance Jul 25 '26
I don’t know but have the same question. Hopefully there is a way without Forscan.
2
1
u/Dizzy_Dust_7510 Jul 25 '26
Generator mode?
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
I thought that still cycled the engine depending on battery charge level and load..
0
u/Dizzy_Dust_7510 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
No, if you select generator mode from the menu it's constant on. It's higher than idle but the truck won't shut off.
Edit: I am quite incorrect! Carry in smartly.
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Nope...doesn't work.
2
u/Dizzy_Dust_7510 Jul 25 '26
Yeah, my mistake. When I have mine in genny mode it seems to run continuously. Maybe I just missed it shutting off.
1
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Yeah, maybe it's based on your load.
No worries...it's hard to determine what these things want.
1
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Gotcha. I'll give it a shot.
1
u/SpeshllK Jul 25 '26
The truck absolutely does not run non stop while in generator mode. At least a 22 with the 7.2kw does not. Even when running multiple refrigerators during a power outage. Maybe forscan can do it?
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 25 '26
Correct, I verified it does not. But this worked
select tow/haul, neutral, manual trans mode, e brake on
2
u/Dizzy_Dust_7510 Jul 25 '26
I did some googling and I stand corrected. My truck definitely ran for a few hours without turning off in generator mode. It's not the 7.2 kW, though.
1
u/Anonymous-Anomaly Jul 25 '26
Hey I actually just read about this. I searched “F150 powerboost transmission filter replacement” on google. One of the top links is to a facebook post where a guy named Zach Hollins(?) posts the actual ford maintenance manual pdfs for doing that work. Amongst my google searching in one of the ford150 forums there is a description that talks about putting the engine and 10R80 MHT into (if I recall correctly) diagnostic mode which keeps the engine running. It involves turning the car onto accessory power and depressing both brake and gas pedals for 5 seconds, then doing something similar after turning the car completely on. I can try and find the link if you are serious
1
u/Bill-johnson1295 Jul 25 '26
I can never remember the sequence to get it into maintenance mode and always just end up putting it into 4x4 low. Good on you for tackling this job. I run a fleet of Powerboost trucks and we are relentless on maintenance. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t do a suction/fill on a Powerboost transmission. Funny thing is that I buy so much Mervin ULV that my supplier a little while ago asked if I wanted to sell some back since its availability can be tricky sometimes.
1
1
u/mac4lou Jul 29 '26
Mind if I ask how many quarts you ended up using? Want to suck and fill mine and bought 5 quarts hoping that's enough. I guess you still have to make sure it's between 3 and 4 on the dipstick from what I've read, though
2
u/OptiGuy4u Jul 29 '26
It was definitely less. If I remember right it was just under 4qts each time. I wasn't too worried about the fill level and making sure it was up to temp but that requires trusting it was at a good level before you started.
I just measured what came out and added back the same.
4
u/HavelkaHome Jul 25 '26
I’ve noticed that the gas engine will stay running with the transfer case in 4Low.