Ford halts sale of F-series diesel trucks, citing tailpipe flames

**6 Shooter** · 03-21-07, 07:13 PM

WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co. today told dealers to temporarily stop selling certain 2008 F-series Super Duty diesel pickups after receiving reports of flames shooting out of the vehicle's tailpipe.

Ford said it was recalling 37,400 F-Series Super Duty trucks with 6.4-liter diesel engines. The majority of the pickups _ 29,000 _ were still on dealer lots, the automaker said.

Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis said it received three reports of flames coming from the truck's tailpipe, caused by leaking fuel that ignited in the exhaust system's diesel particulate filter near the tailpipe.

"It's really something that we noticed early on and we're moving swiftly to fix the problem," Jarvis said.

There have been no injuries or vehicle fires connected to the recall. There has been one report of a grass fire in Texas that was quickly extinguished, he said.

Jarvis said the flames could only occur in engines with leaking fluids, which he said was very rare. Two of the complaints involved leaking fuel injectors and the other involved leaks coming from a crack in the turbocharger shaft.

The automaker will have dealers upgrade software for the powertrain control module, which will power down the engine under higher-than-expected temperatures in the diesel particulate filter. Similar software updates will take place at the Louisville, Ky., plant where the trucks are built.

Jarvis said the stop sale order should only last a few days as dealers reprogram the software. Owners of the remaining 8,400 trucks will be notified about the recall in early April and will be able to have the software upgrade at no charge.

In a separate action, fewer than 10,000 of the trucks will have the battery cable rerouted to avoid chafing against a shield in the engine compartment that prevents water and mud from getting into the engine.

Ford said the recall does not affect gasoline-powered pickups or those with 6.0-liter or 7.3-liter diesel engines.

Source

**vett boy** · 03-21-07, 07:32 PM

I'll tell ya what it can't be any worse than the 6.0 Ford diesel I drive.We refer to it as wonder truck.Wonder how far it will go before the check engine light comes on.
BUT! no matter what my next one won't be a Toyota.

**B17Crew** · 03-21-07, 08:45 PM

Hey! I was behind one of those on my way to work this morning!

Tomorrow, I will be prepared with a long stick and marshmallows if I see that truck again.

B17Crew

Dirtfarmer · 03-21-07, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by B17Crew

Hey! I was behind one of those on my way to work this morning!

Tomorrow, I will be prepared with a long stick and marshmallows if I see that truck again.

B17Crew

Good one.

Ford

I just got off the phone with my dad whose Ford truck has been in the shop since January 29th. I think part of the problem is that it's still on warranty.

**Zblast** · 03-21-07, 10:53 PM

FORD is a four letter word.

**B17Crew** · 03-21-07, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer

Good one.

Ford

I just got off the phone with my dad whose Ford truck has been in the shop since January 29th. I think part of the problem is that it's still on warranty.

I never miss an opportunity for roasted marshmallows!

B17Crew

**Tom Bryant** · 03-31-07, 01:24 PM

Flames out of the tailpipe .

I'd pay for that oprion.

**vett boy** · 03-31-07, 01:47 PM

My F250 i'd be lucky if I got a fart out it ,mixing 50/50 gas and diesel.

Dirtfarmer · 03-31-07, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer

\Ford

I just got off the phone with my dad whose Ford truck has been in the shop since January 29th. I think part of the problem is that it's still on warranty.

Well, dad got his ford back Friday. They had it for 2 months trying to fix components before finally installing a new tranny and sending it home.

Warranty work.

PS - they finally started to get the idea after a couple of their test drives ended with tows back to the shop.