I put this in the Power Stroke Forum, but I wanted to try here too..

2001, F-250, CC, 4x4, 7.3PSD…
I’ll apologize in advance for the long post (I’m sorry, but I need help).
I’ve had my truck to two dealers 6 times in the past 2 ½ months, and it’s been laid up for weeks at a time.
To cut it short, it’s engine “wobbles” side to side at 1200-1500 RPM. This happens in every gear & while in park. The entire truck vibrates when you hit that specific RPM range, then when you get past that range I think it’s turning so fast that you don’t feel it as much. While driving,,, this “wobbling” is causing the engine to miss, which also makes the truck “buck” really hard. I’m afraid that something is going to break soon, and it will end up costing me a heck-of-a-lot more to fix it!!! (However, I’m only at 79k miles, so the warranty should cover it)
So far the items replaced by the dealers have been the harmonic balancer, flywheel, and fuel pump. As well, they claim that they’ve tested all of my injectors, and the motor mounts are good.
The dealers have both noticed the problem, and both of them don’t have any idea what it could be. The last dealer had a “Ford Engineer” look at it, and he gave them some directions to run in, but it’s not been much help. They simply claimed that my fuel pump was bad, and that the replacement has fixed the problem.
Well,,, it didn’t, and it’s still “bucking & wobbling” while I drive down the road. Plus, the engine still “wobbles” while the truck is in park.
Worst, they are telling me that we’ve got to wait until the “Ford engineer” comes back to the shop, so that they can proceed. When I asked how I need to go about scheduling this visit, their response was “well,,, the engineer covers all of the dealers in South Texas, and he will be back within 3-4 weeks. He will get a-hold of you, and set up a time to bring it in.”.
What can I say? I’m ****ed!!! My truck is screwed up, the power train is still under warranty, and they are telling me that it MAY get looked at in 3-4 weeks. I can easily see that “Ford engineer” forgetting to call me, if he’s even told about it. Then, I’ll be out even more time.
Of course, since I use this pickup for work, it’s starting to hit home pretty hard. I’m having to spend a TON in rental vehicles & $100 deductibles (6 times so far), and there isn’t even a glimmer of hope at this point. If anyone has any good advice, PLEASE pass it along!!!! – Thanks!

 

All the stuff they changed can sure cause the problem, And there's alot more too like a cylinder thats not working up to speed Because of cam related problems or compression. Also the torque converter can come apart and cause imbalance...I feel for you cause these guy's are just too stupid to find the problem on there own they need the engineer...Most of these new fangled mechanics think anyone can do it.. Diagnosis is where the real mechanics shine and the wanna be's scratch their heads..It takes 30 years or more to be a good mechanic and only if you are gifted to start with...

Dick

I hope you get some help..

 

I hear ya!!!
Both dealers have a Diesel Tech who's in his mid-late 20s.
I'm guessing that it's inexperience.
However, that does not negate the fact that my truck has been inoperable for the past 2 1/2 months.
I'm thinking that I need to get a lawyer involved at this point. Ford is not going to listen, unless they think they will lose more by just fixing the dang thing!!!
I'm also thinking about taking it to an idependant diesel shop. Of course however, I'm worried that if I let them mess with it, Ford may wash their hands.
Then I'd really be screwed!

 

Maybe you could run it by a large diesel shop that does over the road rigs and talk to someone...Or try another dealer ask them to take it for a ride and see what they think.....Knowledge is power.

 

I may try the big-rig shop.
I'd guess that they've got some pretty decent mechanics there. At least,,, I would hope so.
The problem is that if they open anything up, then Ford may write me off.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to get them to just look at it,,, right?

 

Definately take it by a big-rig shop to see what they can find, most of them should (hopefully) know what they are doing. If not keep trying dealers. Hope you get it fixed!

 

I'll probably do that.
I'm guessing that if an idependant shop can fix it, then I can sue Ford for all of my expenses.

Anyone know of a good lawyer in the Texas area that likes to go after Ford???

 

Talk to the dealer and see if they will reimburse you to bring it to an indy shop. You did give them first crack at it. Not sure how the diesel warranty works but some give you the option.

 

I would recomend to maybe take it to a International Dealership seeing how they built the durn motor and see what they think. I would also check on your states lemon laws and the term of it. I dont know how long you have had the problem, but i would conatct your attouerny general office and talk to them about it. Just an idea....


PSDboy

 

If you were anywhere close to New Boston, Texas (Northeast region) I would suggest you take it to Johnston Ford and let Buster May look at it. He's probably the best there is - if not - he's up there with them. Also, he seems to have that Ford Pride you see very little of these days.

 

Big Orn,

I used to go to school up in that area, and I'd love to swing it, but that's a ways from where I'm at now. I'm not sure that I'd make it all the way up there the way it's acting up. I'd probably throw a rod, or something...
This thing "bucks" pretty hard after it's been running for a few hours. I make routine runs up to Corpus Christi, and it kills my back to drive it home again. Kinda Sad... I'd rather run my bay boat in 3' swells, than take a road trip in my truck. At least I can stop the boat every now & then, and just fish...

 

I would definitely try a "big truck" shop where they work on diesels exclusively. I agree with the poster about going to one that specializes in "International" diesels. I also might try a "Sterling" dealer as well. As closely as these people work with Ford, you might inquire whether they could actually do warranty work on that engine. You have a lot of money tied up in the rig, I would worry about getting it fixed right first, then worry about who's paying second. The reason I suggested Sterling is I think they took over the Ford name in big trucks. I would say you're definitely ready for a second opinion.