Question out of left field... Losscause, do you own a heavy equipment repair/service company? I'm just wondering because it's something I would like to do some day. I'm a senior in High School now.

 

double post

 

I have my recall letter in front of me and it states "this risk exists on vehicles equipped with or without speed control"

Still a shame to see.

 

just the gas motors isnt it??..i thought the PSD switch was off when key was off and the only reason they re called the PSD is cause it was possible it can catch fire driving down the road as well...

 

Ive seen other pictures of Superdutys burnt on the front end from block heater cords shorting out.
Seems like last winter there were pictures here also.

 

If it were the block heater cord, I would suspect it was a deteriorated connection at the plug prongs, or at the very start of the molded plug, which could generate heat and melt the rubber plug eventually catching the plug and cord on fire, then the grease and oil on the block etc etc. It seems this is where they deteriorate, just like any cord that is used daily, from the constant bending back and forth.

A poor connection under load will generate a lot of heat, while a short circuit will merely trip a breaker. (If properly grounded)

 

I don't plug mine in unless it gets down in the teens but I will be taking a close look at it tomorrow for sure, sorry to hear and my Ford flag is flying at half staff tonite.

 

So how would a GFCI plug act in this situation? Is this something that can be caught by just checking the plug with an ohm meter?

 

We install sewer & waterline, specializing in the bigger stuff. We move dirt for stone quarry's and (when the market was good) did a lot of residential subs.

Heavy equipment repair is a tough field to be in right now. We had to let one of our mechanics go recently. Just a lack of work, so lack of money to fix equipment. But I don't want to discourage anyone. Best of luck!



This is the first time we've had a problem with a truck burning up (not that its a common problem). The only good thing to come from this is that the book value is considerably higher than market value, which I think someone said in an earlier post. I'd like to take that and find another 7.3L to use around the shop.

 

A GFCI will only trip if it doesn't see all the current passing through it returning on the neutral, for instance if some of the return current found another path like a person etc. A GFCI does not provide overcurrent protection, that is the circuit breakers job.

You couldn't really test with an ohmeter because the meter does not put enough of a load on the wire to expose the problem. A megger might expose it.

If the condition exists in your cord and plug you can most likely spot it by closely examining the plug end for signs of overheating right where the prongs are set into the molded part, to see if it got hot. Also where the cord enters the plug end, the wire should be nice and firm and should not flop around.

I think anyone who is worried about it should first inspect the entire cord, then do the Marinco mod to elimiate the cord end.
TheDieselStop.Com - www.thedieselstop.com



The link shows it installed on the plastic air dam, but I installed mine higher up in the actual bumper. The bumper can be easily and cleanly punched with a 1.5" electricians knockout punch.

 

You might find this VEHICLE FIRES INVOLVING BLOCK HEATER CORDS interesting.

 

I use a timer on the outlet that plugs into the cord going to the block heater. I set it about 2 hours earlier than I'll usually use the truck and have it set to shut off an hour after I would normally start the truck. That helps reduce the chance of something happening and also saves money. The only drawback is if I need the truck earlier and it is real cold I may have a start problem.

 

Damn it hurt to look at those pics..... at least it wasn't your daily driver.

 

Sorry for your loss.

 

Sorry to hear about your loss, especially since the truck was a good worker!

These trucks certainly deserve a better burial than cremation!