I have never had the HFCM light come on, but mine will run rough with no power and the procedure I have done is to drain the HFCM and it solves the problem.

I've tried shutting the engine off when this problem occurs, to reset the sensors, but it does not work either.
Perhpas it's bad Diesel but I make my purchase from Shell so I don't beleive that's the case either.

Does anyone else have this problem??

 

New to diesels. What is the HFCM?

 

Its the fuel pump/filter/water sperator unit on the left hand frame rail under cab, can't remember exactly what HFCM stands for Heated fuel conditioning module?. It has a fitting that is removed with a 6mm allen wrench to drain the water. Heres a link to info about it.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/lc/lc.ph...ater-drain.htm

 

HFCM = Horizontal Fuel Conditioning Module.. The later models no longer have the heater in them.

 

Do you catch the fuel you drain and check for the presence of water? If there's a lot of water present, then I'd vote that your water in fuel sensor is bad and you're getting bad fuel. Sometimes its not the brand but the condition of the station's tanks that can lead to bad fuel. Especially after a rain shower.

 

I use a 16 ounce clear plastic cup and watch every bit of it, except the amount that always seams to manage to drip down my hand & arms when draining, and I've yet to see any signs of water or anything else.

I also let it drain until there are no signs of drops, which usually takes about 5-minutes.<O</O

I change both filters on my annual PM procedure, and I'm very careful not to contaminate the system while changing both filters by cleaning and whipping the area thoroughly, which is a pain when changing the HFCM filter when there dirt everywhere.<O</O

In my experience I’m performing this procedure once a month and the result are improved throttle response and reduce engine vibration and injector noise.<O</O

I also tend to fill the tank to the brim when I’m fueling, which is something that I’ve done to increase the range especially when I’m towing.<O</O

The truck is bone stock, with the exception of the PCV bypass to eliminate the oily build up on the IC hoses.<O</O

 

I must be the luckiest guy around in that I have never had to drain my HFCM drain except every 15,000 miles when I change my fuel filters.

Have never had the light come on and as far as I can tell... no water in the filter housing when I drain.

Remember to open the drain plug and drain before changing the filter (every 15,000 miles). Not doing so when changing the filter will not allow any water to drain out from this "low spot" in the housing.

As well, tighten fully (not always by torque spec). Many suffer from "air leaks" getting in around the gasket and I just find that if I tighten until I can not turn any further that I am just fine.

Again... I have never bothered with, or had too, drain my HFCM like some do or advise... guess I have been a good boy and have been rewarded by the HFCM gods!!!

Remember to use OEM/RACOR made fuel filters (pics in my gallery)... this does make a difference and what makes a filter OEM spec is the "Aqua-Bloc" media which is for water seperation... and non-OEM filters (mainly WIX brand) does not have this "Aqua-Bloc" patented feature.... so use Motorcraft or Racor fuel filters (Racor makes Motorcraft brand).

 

This was noted on the dieselman's webpage, FYI . . .

99-06 F-SuperDuty Lack of Power/Low Fuel Pressure:
Some vehicles with steel fuel tanks may exhibit the above conditions due to the lining/sealer inside the fuel tank coming delaminated and plugging the pickup screen or fuel filter, or damaging the fuel pump. It is suspected that using gasolines or additives containing ethanol, methanol, ketones, or biodiesels higher than 5% is causing this to occur. Broadcast Message 5076.
I have seen this occur in an Econoline that filled from various fuel stations, so in this case fuel should not have been a cause

 

Ah now that I have not checked.
Is there any signs of the delamination while draining the fuel from the HFCM procedure?
I have only used 100% Dino fuels and never bother with those expensive magic elicsures
Thanks

 

FYI, The standard SD has plastic fuel tanks, not metal. Some of the E series had metal tanks and i believe some of the chassis cabs.

 

You're correct! Mine is of the plastic type and not metal; so I believe that there's no delamination problems?

Besides filtering and heating the fuel, what is the function of the HFCM?
The condition does appear to be fuel starvation though because I can floor the throttle with very poor acceleration, loud high reving engine condition through each gear, like it has very low torque, but after I drain it the problem goes away.
I have always used the FMC brand OEM filters for both fuel and oil, and I have always used Shell Rotella since the first oil change.

 

The HFCM contains the fuel pump.

"The fuel pump, located in the Horizontal Fuel Conditioning Module (HFCM), draws fuel from the fuel tank and through a 10 micron fuel filter.
The HFCM contains the fuel pump, filter, water separator, water in fuel switch, fuel drain, fuel heater, and diesel thermo recirculation valve (DTRM).
The DTRM controls the flow of fuel returned from the secondary filter through the HFCM. If the fuel being drawn from the fuel tank is cool then return fuel is recirculated into the pump, if it is warm then return fuel is sent to the fuel tank.
After the fuel is conditioned by the HFCM, the clean pressurized (100psi max) fuel is sent to the secondary fuel filter assembly where particles larger than 4 micron are filtered out of the fuel.
The secondary filter assembly also regulates fuel pressure by releasing excess pressure via a return fuel line back to the HFCM.
It also has an orifice at the top of the housing in order to bleed air out of the housing and back to the fuel tank.
After the fuel flows through the secondary filter it is directed to the two (2) cylinder heads via fuel lines past the fuel check valves.
The fuel is directed to the injectors via passages that are drilled into the cylinder heads.
Once the fuel has entered the head past the check valve, it does not return to the fuel supply system. This is called a dead-end fuel system."

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the info. but it leads me to further study and questions.<O</O

Even though my last visit to the dealer was a success, based on my interrogation of the tech to make sure he know's what is a Diesel engine, I rather know what the root cause of the problem is and try to fix it myself before handing it over to someone else.<O</O