[mdbwiu1]

A few weeks ago, my truck died at a stop light and wouldn't restart. Looked at fuel filters because ignition seemed to work and seemed like a fuel system problem. Drained fuel filters, a little water, replaced filters. Still won't start. Bled air out of system. Mechanics hooked it up to Ford computer, no codes. Took out 2 glow plugs, said the two injectors for those cylinders did not spray. Hooked up a new one, and it worked. Today they told me they are thinking contaminated fuel. No warranty if that is the problem, and $6200 bill. Will take any and all thoughts as my day has just been ruined.

Thanks.

 

[NVBlueF350]

Sorry to hear about your truck. If you can substantiate the bad fuel situation you may be able to submit a claim to your insurance company. Others have been successful doing that.

 

[senix]

Any reciept for the fuel that you purchased? Buy it on a credit card?

 

[smotrs]

Definitely try to track down a receipt or something as there have been several reports that insurance will cover the problem.

 

[mdbwiu1]

Yeah. I have the receipt. Even called around to shops in that area to see if anyone else had problems. Nothing. Spoke to our Ford mechanic again. He said there was some "metal" in the bottom of the fuel filter in engine compartment. By metal, he means rust. He said that is what he thinks will keep it from being warranty covered. I guess my feeling is that there are filters (2) to keep particles and water out of the pumps/injectors/head. There was not a lot of water in there, and correlation doesn't equal causation. Filters had been replaced about 6-7k miles previous to this. Any thoughts on arguing with Ford when then deny the claim?

 

[senix]

I would gather all of your maint records to show them that you have been doing what is required. But bottom line is gonna be the facts.

why should ford warranty water in the fuel?

 

[mdbwiu1]

Senix,

Not to be argumentative, I have read other posts by you, and you are clearly a good guy. That being said, I guess my feeling is that there are two fuel filters for a reason. If they failed, which I think they did if there are contaminants in the system past them, then that is a warranty problem to me. And moreover my concern is that there could be something else wrong. My "water in fuel" indicator light never came on. If there were excessive water in the fuel, shouldn't it? Giving me time to prevent potential engine damage.

Also, have you ever heard of all of the injectors not working at the same time. The mechanic said this is the case. Could it be something else? If some foreign body did pass into the fuel rails, does it seem possible that all of them are blocked? Your thoughts on this please. I do appreciate your input.

 

[senix]

No problem, yes I do agree that the water in fuel light should have come on. I also agree that the system should be more robust that it is.

I have never really heard of all 8 injectors going to pot at the same time but I suppose it is possible that you ran it long enough that all 8 have been effected.

So what else could do this? That I would have to think on.

 

[jimmy]

If contaminants get into the HPFP it could fail to produce the flow needed to meet starting threshold pressure. The regulator valve for fuel pressure could get debris in it and it will leak fuel that prevents reaching starting fuel pressure threshold.
A lot of HPFP failures do this with no rust in system but presence of rust points to water intrusion for some reason.

 

[mdbwiu1]

what about codes

Jimmy, Senix

When they ran all of the diagnostic tests, no codes came up. In fact, the initial indication was that everything (all of the vitals) came up great in all of the computer system tests they ran. Only after they pulled the glow plugs and checked the injectors did they find a problem. Their test seemed to indicate the fuel system operates correctly up to the injectors. The computer indicated that the injectors were receiving the signal to function but the visual inspection indicated that they were not. Jimmy, does that mesh with your thoughts that perhaps it could be HPFP problem?

 

[smotrs]

Related question, Do you happen to have the 11B23 or later flash? One of the things this flash and later flashes was supposed to help with was water detection.

On one side of the coin, if you have the update(s) then Ford didn't correct the issue of better detection which they said it did.

On the other side, if you didn't have the update, they sent out letters stating that failure to get the update in a timely fashion can result in voiding warranty.

The first one gives you an argument whereas the second one they can use against you. Hopefully it's the first.

 

[deliberate]

On the other side, if you didn't have the update, they sent out letters stating that failure to get the update in a timely fashion can result in voiding warranty.

My 11B23 written notice gave a date certain, something like a year out, by which time I needed to have the update done. I can not see Ford prevailing in an argument that simply sending the letter immediately absolves them of any warranty responsibilites, not until after that specific date.

Just a pasing Alan Shore (Boston Legal) moment,
- Don

 

[smotrs]

True, but the way it's worded it needs to be done as soon as possible to be covered by warranty, after that date it's on you.

 

[mdbwiu1]

Pity Me

I guess I will have to ask the mechanic if Ford has a record of the filter work being done. I picked this truck about 3 months ago with 67,000 miles on it. I guess it has 74, 000 on it now. But I of course have not rec'd anything from Ford. The Ford dealer where I purchased the truck did tell me all of the recall work was up to date. I of course have some incentive to verify that now. Truck ran great til the moment it stopped.

Thanks for all of your help gentlemen. I appreciate all of your input.

 

[dsdbkranz]

Were the fuel filters OEM or aftermarket? Tough to pass metel through a 10 micron filter installed correctly!