This Problem Across All Years
MY FUEL TANK INTERIOR FLAKED SO SEVERELY IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BUCK VIOLENTLY AND DRAMATICALLY LOOSE POWER. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ALMOST COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL TANK PICKUP SCREEN/FILTER. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO DISASSEMBLE AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE FUEL PICKUP OF THE FLAKES 4 TIMES INCLUDING TODAY. EACH TIME THE PICKUP WAS PACKED WITH SILVER FLAKES FROM THE DETERIORATING LINING OF THE FUEL TANK. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EACH TIME WHILE TRAILERING MY RV DOWN THE INTERSTATE. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY AND THE ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT. THE PROBLEM IS SO PERSISTENT THAT I HAVE PUT A DOOR IN THE FLOOR OF MY VAN SO THAT I NO LONGER HAVE TO DROP THE TANK FOR ACCESS. I PURCHASED THIS FORD E-350 DIESEL NEW IN 2000. *TR
MY FUEL TANK INTERIOR FLAKED SO SEVERELY IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BUCK VIOLENTLY AND DRAMATICALLY LOOSE POWER. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ALMOST COMPLETE BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL TANK PICKUP SCREEN/FILTER. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO DISASSEMBLE AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE FUEL PICKUP OF THE FLAKES 4 TIMES INCLUDING TODAY. EACH TIME THE PICKUP WAS PACKED WITH SILVER FLAKES FROM THE DETERIORATING LINING OF THE FUEL TANK. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EACH TIME WHILE TRAILERING MY RV DOWN THE INTERSTATE. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY AND THE ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT. THE PROBLEM IS SO PERSISTENT THAT I HAVE PUT A DOOR IN THE FLOOR OF MY VAN SO THAT I NO LONGER HAVE TO DROP THE TANK FOR ACCESS. I PURCHASED THIS FORD E-350 DIESEL NEW IN 2000. *TR
I WAS DRIVING A FORD DIESEL VAN NORTH ON HIGHWAY 31 TOWARDS PENNINGTON, NJ, WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED ACTING UP. ULTIMATELY, IT STALLED - RIGHT THERE ON THE HIGHWAY; 4 LANES, SEMI TRUCKS COMING AROUND A BEND @ 40 + MPH, AND NO SHOULDER. I TOLD MY HELPER TO LEAVE THE TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SURE WE WERE GOING TO GET HIT. NO WAY A TRACTOR TRAILER, AT THOSE SPEEDS, COULD STOP IN TIME. SEVERAL SEMI'S HAD TO CUT OFF CARS IN THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID US. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. AFTER SWEATING IT OUT, I FINALLY GOT THE TRUCK STARTED AND GOT TO A SIDE STREET, AT ABOUT 5 MPH. THAT'S WHEN I CALLED AAA & GOT THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY FORD DEALER, WHERE THEY WANT $2500 TO REPAIR WHAT THEY CALL " FUEL TANK DELAMINATION". I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND NEITHER DID ANYONE I SPOKE WITH IN THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY SO I GOOGLED IT: FORD DIESEL FUEL TANK PROBLEMS, AND AS IT TURNS OUT, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I"M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS DIED YET, BUT I GUESS THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE, MAYBE WHEN A COUPLE OF KIDS DIE, FORD WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IF IT DOESN'T COST TOO MUCH - OF COURSE. TO ALLEVIATE THIS "PROBLEM," THE FORD DEALER IS, IN EFFECT, GOING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. NEW FUEL TANK, NEW FUEL TRANSFER PUMP, CLEAN OUT THE FUEL LINES, REPLACE FUEL FILTER, CLEAN INJECTORS, SO, BEND OVER. PS REALLY HOPE NOBODY HAS TO DIE - BUT THAT'S YOUR CALL. *TR
I WAS DRIVING A FORD DIESEL VAN NORTH ON HIGHWAY 31 TOWARDS PENNINGTON, NJ, WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED ACTING UP. ULTIMATELY, IT STALLED - RIGHT THERE ON THE HIGHWAY; 4 LANES, SEMI TRUCKS COMING AROUND A BEND @ 40 + MPH, AND NO SHOULDER. I TOLD MY HELPER TO LEAVE THE TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SURE WE WERE GOING TO GET HIT. NO WAY A TRACTOR TRAILER, AT THOSE SPEEDS, COULD STOP IN TIME. SEVERAL SEMI'S HAD TO CUT OFF CARS IN THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID US. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. AFTER SWEATING IT OUT, I FINALLY GOT THE TRUCK STARTED AND GOT TO A SIDE STREET, AT ABOUT 5 MPH. THAT'S WHEN I CALLED AAA & GOT THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY FORD DEALER, WHERE THEY WANT $2500 TO REPAIR WHAT THEY CALL " FUEL TANK DELAMINATION". I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING AND NEITHER DID ANYONE I SPOKE WITH IN THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY SO I GOOGLED IT: FORD DIESEL FUEL TANK PROBLEMS, AND AS IT TURNS OUT, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I"M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS DIED YET, BUT I GUESS THAT'S WHAT IT WILL TAKE, MAYBE WHEN A COUPLE OF KIDS DIE, FORD WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IF IT DOESN'T COST TOO MUCH - OF COURSE. TO ALLEVIATE THIS "PROBLEM," THE FORD DEALER IS, IN EFFECT, GOING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM, AT THE CONSUMERS COST. NEW FUEL TANK, NEW FUEL TRANSFER PUMP, CLEAN OUT THE FUEL LINES, REPLACE FUEL FILTER, CLEAN INJECTORS, SO, BEND OVER. PS REALLY HOPE NOBODY HAS TO DIE - BUT THAT'S YOUR CALL. *TR
FORD E350 7.3 LITER DIESEL VAN - HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH POWER AND BOGGING DOWN AND AT TIMES DYING. DROPPED THE FUEL TANK AND FOND PAINT FLAKES FROM THE TANK DELAMINATING. HAVING TO REPLACE THE TANK AND HOPING THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. *TR
FORD E350 7.3 LITER DIESEL VAN - HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH POWER AND BOGGING DOWN AND AT TIMES DYING. DROPPED THE FUEL TANK AND FOND PAINT FLAKES FROM THE TANK DELAMINATING. HAVING TO REPLACE THE TANK AND HOPING THERE IS NO FURTHER DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. *TR
7.3 LITER DIESEL ENGINE STALLING. FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER REPLACED;FUEL TANK REMOVED AND CLEANED; SILVER PAINT FLAKES WERE FOUND BLOCKING THE FUEL PICKUP. TANK WAS RE-INSTALLED AND PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED WITHIN 100 MILES. VAN WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND TANK WAS REMOVED AGAIN. SILVER PAINT FLAKES WERE FOUND BLOCKING THE FUEL PICKUP LINE AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK LINER WAS DE-LAMINATING, AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACING. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TANK IN MY POSSESSION. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT CAUSED ENGINE STALLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS BEHIND AND BESIDE ME. THIS WAS ALSO AN EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF USE AND RENTAL EXPENSES. *TR
7.3 LITER DIESEL ENGINE STALLING. FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER REPLACED;FUEL TANK REMOVED AND CLEANED; SILVER PAINT FLAKES WERE FOUND BLOCKING THE FUEL PICKUP. TANK WAS RE-INSTALLED AND PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED WITHIN 100 MILES. VAN WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND TANK WAS REMOVED AGAIN. SILVER PAINT FLAKES WERE FOUND BLOCKING THE FUEL PICKUP LINE AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK LINER WAS DE-LAMINATING, AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACING. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TANK IN MY POSSESSION. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT CAUSED ENGINE STALLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS BEHIND AND BESIDE ME. THIS WAS ALSO AN EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF USE AND RENTAL EXPENSES. *TR
2000 FORD E-350 ECONOLINE DIESEL SERIAL [XXX] WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL DUE TO LEAKING DIESEL FUEL FROM 35 GAL. TANK. FORD CLAIMS RECALL WAS PERFORMED FOR PREVIOUS OWNER. TANK IS LEAKING AGAIN. REPAIR WAS NOT SUFFECIENT TO ELIMIATE FAILURE. MILEAGE AT SECOND LEAKAGE 99,000 TO PRESENT. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2000 FORD E-350 ECONOLINE DIESEL SERIAL [XXX] WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL DUE TO LEAKING DIESEL FUEL FROM 35 GAL. TANK. FORD CLAIMS RECALL WAS PERFORMED FOR PREVIOUS OWNER. TANK IS LEAKING AGAIN. REPAIR WAS NOT SUFFECIENT TO ELIMIATE FAILURE. MILEAGE AT SECOND LEAKAGE 99,000 TO PRESENT. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY VAN LOST ALMOST ALL POWER, DROPPING FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TRY AND MOVE OVER TO THE SLOW LANE. I QUICKLY LOST ALL POWER AND MY STOPPED RUNNING. PART OF MY LEFT REAR WAS SLIGHTLY OUT IN THE TRAFFIC LANE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VAN TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MAINTAINS MY VAN. THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY FUEL TANK HAD "DELAMINATED", THE INSIDE COATING HAD DETERIORATED AND HAD CLOGGED THE ENTIRE FULE SYSTEM AND THAT THE TANK, FILTERS, PUMPS AND ALL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND MOVING PARTS FAILING, BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A FUEL TANK FAILING EXCEPT THROUGH PUNCTURE OR EXTERIOR DETERIORATION THROUGH RUSTING. REPAIRS WILL COST SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAY THIS HAS OCCURED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITH FORD DIESELS, RANGING IN MILEAGE FROM 30,000 TO 200,000. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS SAID THE CAUSE IS FROM USING ADDITIVES OR FROM THE FUEL. I DO NOT USE ADDITIVES AND HAVE USED ONLY PROPER FUEL FROM REPUTABLE COMPANIES. I APPROACHED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE IN COVERING THE COST OF REPAIRS BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM CAUSED BY EITHER A POORLY ENGINEERED OR INCORRECTLY APPLIED INTERIOR TANK LINING THAT FAILS WITH NO WARNING AND CAUSES EITHER TOTAL OR NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. IF THIS OCCURS ON A CROWDED, FAST MOVING FREEWAY, THE DANGER IS OBVIOUS. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A TIME OF DAY WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THEIR DIESEL FUEL TANK LINING MATERIAL. I NOW AM HAVING A NEW TANK BEING PUT INTO MY VAN, BUT WHAT IS THERE TO ENSURE ME THAT THE SAME SITUATION WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN? IT IS NOT MILEAGE DEPENDENT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO SHOULD KNOW, THE FORD MECHANICS. SUCH A SITUATION IS NOT ONLY UNSATISFACTORY, BUT EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR BOTH MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY VAN LOST ALMOST ALL POWER, DROPPING FROM 65 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TRY AND MOVE OVER TO THE SLOW LANE. I QUICKLY LOST ALL POWER AND MY STOPPED RUNNING. PART OF MY LEFT REAR WAS SLIGHTLY OUT IN THE TRAFFIC LANE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VAN TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MAINTAINS MY VAN. THE DEALER INFORMED ME MY FUEL TANK HAD "DELAMINATED", THE INSIDE COATING HAD DETERIORATED AND HAD CLOGGED THE ENTIRE FULE SYSTEM AND THAT THE TANK, FILTERS, PUMPS AND ALL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND MOVING PARTS FAILING, BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A FUEL TANK FAILING EXCEPT THROUGH PUNCTURE OR EXTERIOR DETERIORATION THROUGH RUSTING. REPAIRS WILL COST SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAY THIS HAS OCCURED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WITH FORD DIESELS, RANGING IN MILEAGE FROM 30,000 TO 200,000. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS SAID THE CAUSE IS FROM USING ADDITIVES OR FROM THE FUEL. I DO NOT USE ADDITIVES AND HAVE USED ONLY PROPER FUEL FROM REPUTABLE COMPANIES. I APPROACHED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE IN COVERING THE COST OF REPAIRS BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM CAUSED BY EITHER A POORLY ENGINEERED OR INCORRECTLY APPLIED INTERIOR TANK LINING THAT FAILS WITH NO WARNING AND CAUSES EITHER TOTAL OR NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. IF THIS OCCURS ON A CROWDED, FAST MOVING FREEWAY, THE DANGER IS OBVIOUS. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A TIME OF DAY WHEN THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THEIR DIESEL FUEL TANK LINING MATERIAL. I NOW AM HAVING A NEW TANK BEING PUT INTO MY VAN, BUT WHAT IS THERE TO ENSURE ME THAT THE SAME SITUATION WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN? IT IS NOT MILEAGE DEPENDENT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO SHOULD KNOW, THE FORD MECHANICS. SUCH A SITUATION IS NOT ONLY UNSATISFACTORY, BUT EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR BOTH MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.*AK
THE DESIGN OF THE TRUCKS DIESEL FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR LEVER MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN THE LEVER IS IN THE SHUT OFF POSITION. AS A RESULT DIESEL FUEL SPILLED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SHUT IT OFF. *NLM CONSUMER STARTED ENGINE AND LET IDLE FOR 2 MINUTES. SMELLED FUEL AND CUT IT OFF. HE THEN NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN HE CHECKED THE LEVER HE REALIZED IT WASN'T CLOSED ALL THE WAY. *PH
THE DESIGN OF THE TRUCKS DIESEL FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR LEVER MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN THE LEVER IS IN THE SHUT OFF POSITION. AS A RESULT DIESEL FUEL SPILLED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SHUT IT OFF. *NLM CONSUMER STARTED ENGINE AND LET IDLE FOR 2 MINUTES. SMELLED FUEL AND CUT IT OFF. HE THEN NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN HE CHECKED THE LEVER HE REALIZED IT WASN'T CLOSED ALL THE WAY. *PH