Work truck: 2013 F-650 with the 3v V-10, LPG-ready but running on gasoline. 23K miles.

Symptoms:
- Engine RPM noticeably rising and falling during acceleration.
- After 2 hours of running: Clicking noise from the engine and
also a 'gurgling' noise.
- Exhaust smells like ammonia (unburned gasoline).
- After 3 hours of running: Very rough idle and occasional large
clouds of blue smoke from the exhaust, which smells like
ammonia/unburned gasoline.
- CEL on and occasionally flashing (a/c cuts out when flashing).

Work done so far (by the dealership):
- Replaced O2 sensor.
- Replaced air filter.
- Replace catalytic convertor.
- Replaced the long block (claimed that 2 pistons were "burned
out").

Despite all the work done, engine behaves exactly the same as before, but has a bit more HP after replacing the engine, as it now runs (albeit, poorly) on 10 cyls instead of 8.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

Have you owned this truck since new? Did these problems come on very suddenly, or over the long term?

 

The co. I work for has had it for 14 months and bought it brand new. The problems started creeping up last Aug. or Sept. and steadily got worse.

 

I'm not a mechanic but it certainly sounds fuel related as if it is getting to much in to the system and can't use it all. In this day and age you would think that when they are having issue like this they could hook up some small mobile computer to record what's happening for a couple / few days, then back at the shop be able to put it on the big computer with the brain and better diagnose what's happening then throwing parts at it by the trouble shooting manual. What a waste of the mechanics time and our time for repeated visits.

 

Yeah, it's been in the dealership's hands for a total of 4 weeks, and they still can't fix the problem. Time is money to a company, and I KNOW the owners of the co. I work for hate to hand over their truck to the dealership, ESPECIALLY given their worthless track record.

 

Man, this is frustrating. I'm curious if the truck is still under warranty right now? (I don't know how warranties work with "work trucks")

Also, where are you located?

 

Not sure if this would be helpful but Ford Service has a presence here, have already helped a few resolve issues that have persisted, dealers can't/won't fix 'em--try contacting one of those folks: Ford Service Coverage - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

HTH

 

Yes, the truck is still under warranty, as far as the poorly-running engine is concerned. We first brought the truck into the dealership for this problem approx 3 months ago, so as long as the same problem exists, the warranty coverage will continue. And btw, the owners have had enough with the local Ford dealership's inability to fix this issue, so the next service attempt will be at a commercial truck repair facility that's authorized to repair Ford commercial vehicles.

We're in Ventura, CA

Thanks JWA.

 

Time to get Ford to buy it back!

 

its under warranty....bring it back.

 

They can, they can see what the truck is doing real time and datalog just by plugging into the OBDII port. It sounds like the techs are parts changers and don't know what is going and/or the dealer is cashing in on warranty work money by replacing uneeded parts.

There is no reason the dealer should not be able to diagnose and properly fix your truck as the engine is the same as was put in the older trucks. I agree with going to another another dealer, the one you were going to is obviously worthless. If they can't fix it within 3 trips to the dealer I'd be looking at state lemon laws. These engines/trucks are usually rather reliable but when an issue arises it helps to have someone with at least half a brain work on them.