Hi all,
I've found my first problems with my 04 F250. noticed the oil leak on the bellhousing, was not thick like an assembly lube, smelled and felt like regular oil. I checked oil and noticed it seemed overfull, cant be sure since this is the first time I've checked it, I'll keep an eye on it now. I've posted pics of these problems in my gallery to start documenting these issues. Does the high oil level pic go along with what was happening with the faulty injectors?

I got an oasis report from the dealer at the beginning of january, it listed the 03t02 (oct?) flash as being done, I cant find a sticker anywhere on the truck saying this was done, should there be one?

The 03e03 recall is still listed as open on the report, I'm leary of taking truck in for service and getting flashed and getting more problems. Being a recall I probably have no say as to whether its done or not. My pilot injection is still working and I'm guessing it will be disabled once it's flashed, I really like that feature and so does the wife. I haven't checked fuel mileage yet since I've been mostly around town and have had a lot of warmup times this winter.

I started taking pics just in case these problems aren't resolved and I want to have documentation, is the way I'm taking them with the date and problem written on post-it notes a good idea? Thanks for any help on these issues, wish I had found this site before I bought, I definetly would have held off on my purchase. Love the truck so far, lotsa get up and go, hopefully these will be small issues and taken care of. Take care, John

 

I am sure you going to get alot more detail reply then mine but raised oil level could come from bad injector(s) allowing fuel to get into the oil. Does the oil have a diesel smell to it? I have a 04/04 and had to have the rear main replaced for the leak at bellhousing.

 

Thanks lasVegas,
I thought the high level was a possible indication of bad injectors.
I am also wondering what people`s dipsticks readings were that had the bad injectors? Did it read way up on the wire parts? or did they stay on the gray bulb part? Can we tell how much extra oil is in pan from the dipstick reading? Hope I'm not being a pain with all the questions. Thanks again, John

 

WILBA504
make sure the truck is sitting on level ground and check it, my truck looked overfilled to me also but the oil never went up. do your first oil change at 1000 miles and only add 14.5 quarts when you refill and then check, its better to be a little low then overfilled. also about your pilot injection I think if you had the oct. flash you would not have the pilot injection I lost mine with oct. flash. the dec. flash made trans. shift smoother and the engine seemed to run better, no fuel mpg improvements.

 

I think if you have an 04 engine, you don't have PI. Do you?

 

SBV45
I think by his build date he has 04/03 his build date is just a few days after mine is 03 engine, if I keep mine I am going to have to convert the bed to a fuel tank. sorry for the negative just getting tired of this fuel sucker, wish they could figure it out.

 

Hi tn mac and sbv45,
Mine has the 2003 engine according to red and white sticker on the passenger side valve cover. The truck was sitting level when checked. I'm going to change oil when I get the Blackstone labs sample kit, I ordered it today.
I wasnt sure if the oct or dec flash did away with the Pilot injection. So if oct flash did away with it, maybe my dealer charged for flash but didn't do it, seeing there's no sticker on my truck. I'm gonna take a pic of oasis report and add it to my gallery. maybe y'all can help me decipher it. Thanks a lot for your responses, I really appreciate the help. Take care, John

 

I posted a pic of my oasis report, I whited out my vin and dealer, probably didnt need to but felt more comfortable doing it.
John

 

Consider adding this clause at the bottom of the work order you sign, should you have work performed on the truck but do not want any re-flashing:



Not withstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,

I do not authorize any flashing/reflashing of any of this Truck's computers; This prohibition is of the essence.

It is not necessary to omit any naming of the dealerships with whom we deal--or receive comments, but your comfort level does come first.

 

Hi Luke, Thanks for the advice. I definetely will add that to my work order but being as its a recall isn't it mandatory to have that recall performed?

I just went to Myford.com and checked my recalls and where it listed the 03e03 recall a few weeks ago its not there anymore. Did ford cancel it for my truck or is the website acting up? Any help is greatly appreciated. Take care, John

 

They put a small sticker with the reflash ## and date on my fan shroud real close to where it attackes to the radiator.

 

no sticker on mine anywhere, watched them flash truck once.

 

Actually no. If you are taking the truck in for specific work, other than what the Recall covers, then you can be very specific as to what you want done on the truck.

This is something you have to weigh. Unless you have problems (issues) which can be resolved only with the reflash, as have others on this forum with more knowledgeble than I, I'd wait until those problems actually develope. Keep in mind, most of these trucks are not developing the problems which have been so heavily discussed on this forum -- just a very high percentage of them.


If you are taking it in because of the recall notice, I first learn what work is to be performed on the truck under the recall notice. Then you have to make a decision as to whether you want the changes made from the recall work.

 

Thanks for the advice Luke,
Im going to need it, took the wife out to dinner tonite and we made a right turn in the parking and it sounded and felt like the left front tire was falling off. I made a few circles to the left and right and its clunking away in both directions. I got out and checked the lugs with the wrench and they were tight so i dont know what the problem is. It does it with and without the hubs locked. Im getting really aggravated really fast with this truck.

Ill be using the clauses in the work order you have all suggested, when i go to the dealership with these problems.

Another question. Is the pilot injection defective? I it is why are they just turning it off and not fixing it? They are just leaving a defective item on our trucks with no compensation or explanation. Is the pilot injection part of the emissions? didnt they say something about it reducing nox or something. If it is are they able to disable part of the emissions system? maybe im way off base but I feel like ford is giving us the short end and we paid for the long end. Thanks for letting me vent alittle, take care, John

 

Fm John
In raising this issue with them, stress the safety issue.

I'd suggest prior to driving over, type it out on a 3x5 card, and have the service writer just copy it from that......while stressing that the subject it just to important for it not to be including in the work order (contract).
As I've not been able to find anything to the contrary, (yet) the answer is no, here. For if it were, that would have raised the issue to the state & federal level.

My position has been: due to their (or their subcontractores) negligent design, those units which have to be shut down, does depreciate the truck, to no fault of the buyer.