FI problem w/ F250s

L

localboy

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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
I have a 2005 F-250 SD tow vehicle for the boat. About a month ago the check engine light activated and the truck began running lousy; difficult [cold] starts, rough idle, no power etc. Then the light went off and she returned to her normal running. Then the light came on again...began running rough...this continued a few more times. I finally took it to the dealer.

They read the code; the fuel injection control module is slowly circling the drain. From various web sites and research this is a pretty common issue on the 6.0 liter diesels used in various 2003-2007 model Ford diesels. Problem is caused by low battery power, bad charging system etc especially in cold weather. The glow plug takes a large voltage to activate. My batteries had died last winter and were replaced w/ new Interstate models, but as soon as it got cold here, the issue surfaced.

Well the dealer wanted $1261.00 p/l. :shock: :x :evil: Needless to say I began looking. The replacement is a pretty simple procedure and I found a website that repairs them for $325. http://circuitboardmedics.com/6-0-ficm-repairs/

I'm removing mine and sending it out. More to follow.
 
Mark, What's your mileage? Some of those parts are covered on an emission system warranty. Sometimes dealers "overlook" that fact. Good luck! And Merry Christmas! :gift
 
Dreamer":19d05js5 said:
Mark, What's your mileage? Some of those parts are covered on an emission system warranty. Sometimes dealers "overlook" that fact. Good luck! And Merry Christmas! :gift
Click to expand...

Thanks, Roger. I'm at only 60K miles but the 5 yr warranty is over per the dealer. I am going to talk to them more about it after work, but I'm not optimistic. I just found all this out this morning.

Mele' Kalikimaka to you and Janet!
 
localboy":s1r224yv said:
Dreamer":s1r224yv said:
Mark, What's your mileage? Some of those parts are covered on an emission system warranty. Sometimes dealers "overlook" that fact. Good luck! And Merry Christmas! :gift
Click to expand...

Thanks, Roger. I'm at only 60K miles but the 5 yr warranty is over per the dealer. I am going to talk to them more about it after work, but I'm not optimistic. I just found all this out this morning.

Mele' Kalikimaka to you and Janet!
Click to expand...

Ask the dealer for the name and number of the Ford Regional Service Manager. Often times, these folks are able to make decisions that the dealer can not.
 
Here's a quick reference to the emisions warranty. EMISSIONS DEFECT WARRANTY COVERAGE

parts are listed under the What is Covered? section below.

The warranty coverage period for:
• Passenger cars, light duty trucks (applies to vehicles up to 8,500 pounds GVWR)
◦8 years or 80,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for catalytic converters, electronic engine control unit (ECU), transmission control module (TCM), and any other onboard emissions diagnostic module.
◦3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all other covered parts.
• Heavy duty vehicles (applies to trucks over 8,500 pounds GVWR up to 19,500 pounds GVWR)
◦5 years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all other covered parts.
 
...name and number of the Ford Regional Service Manager.
Click to expand...
I will definitely do that. What's the worst he can say, "Nope, sorry", in which case I'm back at the same spot.

• Heavy duty vehicles (applies to trucks over 8,500 pounds GVWR up to 19,500 pounds GVWR)
◦5 years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for all other covered parts.
Click to expand...

Same as I found, Marty. It's an '05 so that eliminates that warranty.

Haven't had any time to deal w/ it and the svc person has not returned my e-mail from yesterday. Guess I'll have to call them tomorrow. What is irritating is in such expensive vehicles for something like this to be so prevalent, and yet the manufacturer says it's not a recall. I mean this truck was $43K brand new, although I bought it used w/ 35K miles on it for significantly less. It's kinda disappointing of Ford.

I also found a place called Swamp Diesel that does the same thing (rebuild/repair your original unit and update it) but for $485.
 
Give Steve at Buds Transmission in marysville a call and ask about it. Steve and his crew knows more about ford and dodge diesels then anyone. 425-226-6474
 
Just got the FICM (fuel injection control module) back from repair. Took about 1 hour to remove and only about 20 minutes to install. Truck started up on the first crank and is back to running smoothly. :thup

Total was $325.00 plus about $50 freight both ways. Although the service had a one day repair turn-around, the holidays really screwed me up, time-wise. But I now have a vehicle again. Highly recommend the service if anyone runs into this issue. Seems pretty commonplace amongst 2003-2007's 6.0 liter Ford diesels.
 
The 6.0 liter saga continues. The truck is only at 67K miles; I don't drive it much.

I installed a digital gauge to monitor some temps. The 6.0s have a documented history of cooling issues caused by all the added emissions requirements for passenger trucks and Ford's use of a specific coolant that International does not recommend. (The 6.0 is made by International for Ford and is used in various commercial trucks w/out issue; not the same emissions requirements/coolant.) These overheating issues can cause catastrophic engine failure if ignored. :shock: Among them; overheating resulting in oil/coolant break down, hydrolock, turbo failure, blown head gaskets and eventually, complete engine melt down. Literally. :shock: :thdown

Anyway after a complete oil change & coolant flush/replacement w/ proper coolant, plus a new thermostat and after-market coolant filter kit, the gauge showed she was still running hot. This is once she reached op temps and running on the freeway; about 190*F coolant temp. This was without the boat and no load in the bed. I won't bore you w/ all specifics but the oil temp was too hot and was out of sync w/ the coolant temp.

So it is off to Dynamic Diesel in Snohomish for some new, upgraded parts; a new, re-designed oil cooler and up-graded exhaust gas re-circulator. :roll: I could do the work myself, but honestly, I just don't have a free weekend to devote to it.

This is just a heads up for any other Brats that have 6.0 diesels used in Ford full sized trucks/vans from 2003-2007. I'm hoping the new parts and proper coolant will alleviate any future problems and from what I've read and speaking w/ the diesel tech at the shop, it should do just that. The nice thing is I won't have to deal w/ an electronic "tuner" (another $325.00) :roll: and the truck will still pass WA. State's emissions tests.
 
Well, I just finished reading the last post and I scroll up to the top and there, in the banner ad on the right, is an ad for "FICM 6.0 DIESEL REPAIR, $95.00"! Am I dreaming or what? :|
 
Marty, I'm sure it's some sort of "cookie" advertising, software ju-ju. These things are creepy. It's almost like they "know" what I'm thinking....feeling...



:lol: :lol: :wink: Seriously, I think one of the moderators etc could explain it.


















Or could they?....... :shock:
 
If it's anything like gmail, it will seek out key words in your posts and run ads that bear on the subject...

Charlie
 
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