Andy, read the following, on another forum. Any truth to this? Definately not something that I wanted to read.

There is a truck in the shop with 18,000 km on it. It came in with the concern of excessive crank time when vehicle is at opearating tempature. One of our diesel techs performed the usual tests and contacted the boys on the Ford Hotline for help. They told him to perform a test that will introduce pressureized air into the oil system to verify if there is a leak. After performing this test he could hear air escaping from the high pressure pump area. The Hotline told him that they have been having a great deal of problems with the O-ring that is between the pump the pipe. The O-ring construction is of "Black" rubber and should be "Brown" high pressure rubber, he also said it can be serviced inside the vehicle. Our diesel techs laughed at that idea and said the only way that job can be performed properly is to remove the engine and he did just that. The O-ring was indeed blown out causing a increased amount of time for oil pressure to build up to start the truck. The amount of missing O-ring was so large we were all amazed that the truck would even start. The hotline also told our diesel tech that there may be a recall depending on the number of trucks that exhibit this concern. We have 3 trucks in the shop torn apart - 1 for an oil leak at the two piece block (customer is getting a new engine), 1 for an oil leak at the front seal (installing an updated high pressure "Brown" seal to replace original "Black" seal), and the truck mentioned previously. Build dates of the trucks are March, May, and May of 2003. I own a truck with build date of Feb/03 and have not had any problems yet, but I hope this isn't going to be a trend for these engines when they hit >20,000 km's. DAMN ENGINEERS!!!

Thanks
Lariat

 

These are the msgs off your vin# FOR THIS CONCERN:

602300 - DRIVEABILITY HARD START/LONG START

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17266
2003-2004 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES/EXCURSION 6.0L - LOW BASE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CAUSED BY HIGH PRESSURE OIL SYSTEM LEAK
SOME 2003-2004 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES AND EXCURSION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6.0L DIESEL MAY EXHIBIT LOW BASE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE CAUSED BY A LEAK IN THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL SYSTEM. IF A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM LEAK IS SEVERE, THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP MAY USE A LARGER VOLUME OF OIL THAN THE BASE ENGINE (GEROTOR) PUMP CAN PRODUCE WHILE CRANKING. IF BASE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE IS LOW, REMOVE OIL FILTER, HOLD DOWN THE OIL DRAIN VALVE (LEFT SIDE OF HOUSING) WITH A SCREWDRIVER AND CRANK THE ENGINE WHILE WATCHING FOR OIL FLOW FROM THE BASE ENGINE OIL PUMP. IF FLOW IS PRESENT, USE THE UPDATED DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL SYSTEM (ELECTRONIC VERSION OF PC/ED, SECTION 4, STEP 10E). IF THERE IS NO FLOW AT THE OIL FILTER HOUSING DIAGNOSE THE BASE ENGINE OIL SYSTEM FIRST (WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 303-01D).



16662
1999-2003 SUPER DUTY/EXCURSION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 7.3 OR 6.0 - LACK OF POWER, SMOKE, OR OIL LEAKS AROUND THE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC)
SOME 1999-2003 SUPER DUTY/EXCURSION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 7.3 OR 6.0 FORD NAVISTAR DIESEL ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT LACK OF POWER, SMOKE, OR OIL LEAKS AROUND THE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC) TUBE ON THE HOT SIDE OF THE COOLER (DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE INTERCOOLER). THIS MAY BE DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION IN THE CAC. CLEAN THE CAC AND AIR DRY WITH SHOP AIR THOROUGHLY BEFORE REINSTALLING. DO NOT REPLACE THE CHARGE AIR COOLER FOR THIS CONDITION.

 

Andy, Thanks
I read this, which is why I asked the specific question.

This appears to be a valid problem then. Have you heard any of the rumblings about a recall for this? Has your dealership seen many of these problems as yet? and has it been due to the wrong type of O ring being used? Sounds like they used EPDM with it being a black o ring. Is this the correct diagnostic procedure, to test with shop air?
Thanks again Andy.
Lariat

 

no,no,no and yes.....they have not been out long enough for a recall, usually 1 year from job 1....

 

Hey guys:

How 'bout a big round of applause to Andy for his many cogent and prompt replies to questions posted on this forum.

CLPF350

 

Someone has to do it.....

 

And you can't emagine just how invaluable your input has been.

 

And in reponse to all of this, I have received calls today from people upset that I have provided this information, Just because the truck has an early build date does not mean that it WILL have problems, Just look at Tim larkins truck, it runs fine. If your truck has a driveability issue get it looked at! Not all the trucks run badly and if it does there are ways of dealing with it. I will not post any further help if this is not understood.....The late trucks with the "good" program and injectors will have problems also, I guarantee it. That is why every Ford dealer has and will keep a service department....