Keith Browning

Cool. Whilst I was on the PTS Message Boards I looked around for posts on the subject of which there were a few. I find it interesting that I have not read a single negative comment on any of it yet. Is this a good sign of things to come? Considering the cost, it seems unfortunate that it might come down to every diagnostic technician having no choice but to have their own. Personally, I prefer it that way.

 

Oh, yeah, I made my own comment about the cost of it all and not being able to decide having just spent a wad of cash on a new laptop for work. I ended my post with a prayer for the "PDS Fairy" to visit my shop!

Hoo hoo! I just read the "reviews" about Tech Time Plus on the PTS Message Boards. All negative, they really beat it up. I missed it because our FordStar is currently not working but I get the impression seeing the re-broadcast just isn't going to be worth the time.

That's cool. Yeah, if only the price for the VCM was lower...amazing how Ford can get us a discount for Dell and HP but they can't drop the price on the Rotunda VCM? I read about the IDS when I was looking up all this up for pricing.

 

So how does one get on a list for Beta testing?

So Ford finally released the PDS kit for use with the new VCM. If you don't know what it is, this is a diagnostic scan tool that utilizes a Windows Pocket-PC with the Vehicle Communication Module (VCM). From what I am reading it works really well which is good because it's being said to be the eventual replacemet to WDS. My only question is does Ford expect this to be the type of tool that every technician should have? My point is that after pricing it all out I find it to be out of the price range that most techs can afford and are they willing to spend the dough.

 

PDS/VCM KIT from Rotunda: $2200.00

Pocket-PC either HP or Dell: $400 to $500 with accessories.

 

That's not cheap. I am probably going to think long and hard about this before I make a final decision. Does anyone have one or has your dealer gotten one yet? Impressions? Comments?

I have not seen any of the new pumps fail but I did have two of the older style go. One of them actually left debris on the IPR screen. Check the Photographs section on this web site. I am pretty sure I put a close up of the screen on one of the pages.

SBDS and NGS euipment is available from www.erssolutions.com . They sell and support the SBDS, SBDS Redline series and the New Generation Star Tester. I also discovered that they sell service contracts and cables.

Reference TSB 04-20-4 and SSM#18362 for 2004 E-450 & 2004-2005 E-350 with a 6.0L PSD.

 

Came across this and flashed the PCM as per the TSB. The service message was issued on 1/04/05 advising to use the on-line PCED for diagnostics. If no problem found, use a revised EGR valve for the SPECIFIC vehicles with # 4C3Z-9F452-A.

 

By the way, as of this post date the valves are on national backorder with an indicated release date of 1/17. Typical, ain't it?

I ran across that a long time ago and I fabricated a lifting bracket that sat down in the valley. I fit it to go over the mounts for the fuel filter assembly and then drilled holes to mount bolt it down with grade 8 bolts. I then bolted a chain right to the center of the plate. with the hoist chained up fairly low like that the engine would tilt toward as the upper oil reservoir rested on the hoist that I used to use. If you make one do it right and use thick enough steel and respect the almost 900Lb's of iron on the end of your hoist.

 

I definitely recommend the lifting brackets that bolt to the front of the engine. They are SWEET!

 

(and a lot safer)

17-ML-149-ML-

 

Moved to Parts Forum

Remember the 2003/2004 Super Duty trucks overheating with plow installed concern? There are still some out there. In fact, there are some running around with those temporary jumper harnesses the Hotline was sending out. I wonder what that did for their fuel economy?

 

The revised Visconic fan clutch is - 4C3Z-8A616-SA. Also available as a Motorcraft part. This part is specifically for snow plow applications.

That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanx for the Part Numbers. My tool distributors looked at me like I have two heads so I gave up years ago. I know it measures specific gravity but it will let me know when I'm dealing with some funky fuel.

I did some reasearch on cetane testing and oh my God! To properly figure it out you need a lot of expensive equipment and a degree in refining. I'll settle for the hydromeder. LOL

dzltech, how do you check for combustion gasses in the cooling system? Other than odor and using a pressure tester the only other way I know of is to use a Co2 sniffer which I do have but I am not sure that it works with the diesels. (I have yet to test positive)

When the Superduty first came out we had seen premature wear of the front spring tip insolators on 4X4 models that required an updated service part kit to repair. In the middle of the 2000 model production we saw a new spring design. It is now evident that the new style springs are wearing through the tip isolators as well. My parts department had no part listing... so I called the Hot-Line. Aparently there WAS an SSM on this but it had been deleted from Ford's system!  

Use the parts as listed:
1999/early 2000 1C3Z-5B302-AA 1 PER VEHICLE (kit of 4 isolators)
Late 2000/2004 2C3Z-5586-AA 4 PER VEHICLE (individual isolators)

Dan,

 

Did you run an OASIS on this concern? There is a service message on this concern that will be of help to you. Go to Ask Ernie and type in "SSM-18217"

 

 

• DISCONNECT THE BATTERY(S) FOR ONE MINUTE AND RECONNECT.
• USE THE NGS DIAGNOSTIC (RED) CARD TO VIEW THE 'FUELLVL PID' IN THE HEC/ICM TO CHECK THE FUEL SIGNAL TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE PID READING IS A PERCENT OF TANK FULL, SO 50% SHOULD HAVE A FUEL GAUGE INDICATION OF ABOUT 1/2 TANK.
• YOU CAN ALSO USE WDS AND PID MONITOR/ACTIVE COMMAND MODE TO SEND A SIMULATED SIGNAL TO THE CLUSER IN THE SAME WAY.

THE PID VALUE RESPONDS INSTANTLY TO FUEL SLOSH AND VEHICLE TILT, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE RESPONDS MORE SLOWLY TO COMPENSATE FOR SLOSH.

I have seen sender issues on several '03 & '04 F-Series. There are no grounds to check because the sender circuit starts and ends with the cluster. The service message Will help you quickly identify if the cluster is properly calibrated and funtioning properly. If so, direct your attention to the sender.

According to Ford, "Powerstroke diesel engines are designed to perform best at a minimum of 40 cetane." I have been told that the factory puts 50 cetane fuel in the tank. Fuel quality is definately something to consider when a vehicle has performance issues. Other than Rotunda, does anyone know where to find a cetane trester? I used to have one, I broke it long ago and have asked all the usual tool distributors with no luck. (Snap-on - Mac - Matco) This was a specific gravity type tester with a glass tube.

Caterpillar 7.2L Turbocharger to exhaust manifold nuts loosen and back off. Has anyone found this to be common? When calling for parts the Cat. parts people sounded like they get calls fo the parts all the time. Don't forget the engine serial number when asking for parts!

As if a 6.0L Econoline wasn't enough, my dealer also has a guy that is in love with Quigley 4X4 vans. They take a regular E350 and add a transfer case, front axle and jack the sucker up. If the clearance in the engine compartment was tight to begin with, this modification makes it worse be cause adding the transfer case changes the angle of the engine. Need parts or a manual? You have to call the guy at Quigley. See one coming, RUN!

What sick S.O.B. came up with the idea of stuffing a 6.0 in a van? Anything more than an oil change looks to be a total nightmare to do. Read the instructions for doing an EGR valve - remove both engine mounts...that is if you are going to use the EGR remover that Ford sent. Personally, I have found that using two pinch bars works very well for all 6.0 EGR valves. Does anybody else have any 6.0 Econoline nightmares?

The Stationary Elevated Idle Control (SEIC) is used to automatically raise the engine idle during PTO engagement or for charge protect control. The PCM also uses this information to raise the automatic transmission line pressure for transmission mounted PTO's that use line pressure to engage. This system may also be wired up to the upfitter switches. The following link will answer any-and-all questions you could possibly have concerning this topic.

 

 

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q108.pdf

"Upfitter Switches" which are those factory installed accessory toggle switches mounted on the dash just right of the steering column are great for adding stuff. These switches are for customers and body builders to wire up lights, PTO's, Stationary Elevated Idle Control (SEIC) and other accessories. The following link should answer any-and-all questions you could possibly have concerning this topic.

 

 

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/q117.pdf

Now that FMC Dealer is so valuable as a tool with all the manuals, TSB's and FSA's and the like I can't imagine working without a computer. I have a nice notebook PC in my toolbox with Internet access as do most of the techs in my shop which we all paid for on our own. I have read that other dealers won't even provide Internet access or even provide one shop computer. I can't imagine!

Here's a thought: Have you installed UV dye in the engine oil and tried to detect it in the coolant de-gas bottle? As far as changing the oil cooler it's really not that bad of a job on a 6L PSD. I think I would prefer it to the 7.3L PSD because it's right up on top.

I guess I have to ask now, who among us is a member of a trade union? What are your thoughts on this discussion? Is there more to a union than some of us may be aware of and what are the benefits and what are the drawbacks?