Keith Browning

The VCMM is a MUST for the SHOP but I agree that for the individual tech its more expense than justified. For example if you don't have a vibration analyzer warranty claims for vibrations will eventually be kicked.

Overall it is a faster tool that adds features above what the VCM 2 can do. If you don't work on medium duty trucks some of that won't benefit you. An on-board battery should prevent crashes due to voltage related scan tool connection is big. But as the flyer points out the VCM 2 will still work and will be supported for some time and unless my VCM 2 fails or is lost I won't be upgrading any time soon myself. Unless I find a viable career change and my body will allow me, I can predict another 10-15 years in the business for me and I imagine eventually the VCM 2 will become obsolete as other scan tools and communication modules have.

If it is "Mercon" I don't see if there is any difference between regular and synthetic. I read many people use synthetic in their 4R100's. As long as it's not LV or UV I imagine it meets the specs for the fluid.

Apparently the VCM 2 has been replaced already. The new VCM 3 is now available... I noticed it was listed in the device manager after a recent IDS update SA_FD_Rotunda-VCM3_Hardware_flyer_v1.pdf

I dont remember aver doing one CP. What time are you charging for these? 2009 6.0L Econoline ambulance. There never was a labor time published that I can see in SLTS

I would guess the black pieces if plastic could be from the water pump impeller. Did you remove it and inspect it and the front cover?

Being a fleet dealer we have work and with a lot of dealerships closed down right now Roadside Service is towing to us. I currently have 5 repair orders in my rack for me. Okay so one of them is my car but hey, I am a customer too!!!

2017 F750 with clogged CCV filter, blown turbo, oil contaminated exhaust aftertreatment system. Waited 33 days for a new PM sensor. Over idled, under serviced, customer pay.

We are still fairly busy with a lot of fleet work keeping us going.

I think we found the cure for the virus! Have Ford assign a part number to it. It will immediately go on back order with no release date and no one can get it.

2017 F550 6.8L. 16 of 20 studs broken. Thing is, I broke only two of them. The rest were gone before the truck came to me. To add insult to injury I managed to break off my extractor in one of them. 3 hours to grind that bastard out!!!

Thought it would be interesting to share observations and experiences surrounding Coronavirus. I am in NJ where people are nuts, preparing for the end of civilization or maybe it's just the normal NJ me first and fuck you attitude on steroids. Actually, I am seeing most people are behaving and a lot of outreach to those in need of help. God help you if you need get some toilet paper, disinfectants or some chicken though. My daughters high school is closed for two weeks minimum with instruction and lessons being provided VIA Google Classroom. My oldest daughter in in college in Beverly Mass where they intend to remain open with remote instruction as feasible. Driving into work today, I was king of the road!

Not only that Bruce but in this case, you have some guys on a popular television show making it look like all the black smoke belching from trucks is terrific fun and perfectly okay. I like these guys. They are skilled and creative and build some really cool stuff. It's too bad they are irresponsible and on that note why don't the producers of that program and the Discovery channel realize they are promoting illegal behavior? I still want to know how Moonshiners does not cross some legal line as well. Disclaimer: I love both programs but I do not condone their behavior.

I know Fred, there is a lot of ignorance out there. I just find it really odd that our utility companies that have been operating for decades can't properly maintain their fleets. And don't tell me that is has to do with budgeting because a few years of replacing expensive engines should change that thinking. At least you would think. PSE&G in the last 6 months has had to fork over nearly $80K for repairs due to insufficient maintenance. $80K would pay for a LOT of oil changes. The really sad part is, YOU AND I are paying for it! The flip side is many items on these truck that are over serviced. They always seem to have new brakes and tires don't they. The other part of the equation is the drivers. They either ignore the mileage, the engine hour meters or the built in maintenance messages on the dash. I have heard that some drivers simply don't bring them in as some are permitted to take the trucks/vans home and commute with them and it's too much of an inconvenience. What? Why is that shit permitted? And in any normal company they would be reprimanded for turning off the warnings and failing to have the trucks serviced. Buuuuut we do have those fucking unions protecting these dolts. Unions - protecting the stupid, enabling the greedy and promoting mediocrity.

I do not work on Escapes but I am surrounded by them in the shop at this time. They are coming in left and right. I am amazed that for a smallish vehicle with a tiny engine there is an insane amount of hoses and vacuum lines. The floor around these when the engine is out has parts all over the place like a bomb went off. Why the hell is all of that shit necessary?

It appears that PSE&G in NJ has no clue how to maintain their fleet. This has been going on for years but recently we have had 4 trucks on our lot with low mileage failed engines with high engine hours at the same time. Two Dodge 5500's with blown Cummins 6.7L, A F550 with a bad 6.8L that the right camshaft walked so far forward it ground the CMP sensor and a Transit with a knocking 3.7L. All engines are sludged. You explain about maintenance requirements and engine hours it's like you are speaking a different language. These vehicles are coming from three different locations so it must be a corporate thing. And you wonder why your utility charges are so high? I also had a City of Trenton F750 with a clogged CCV filter and failed turbocharger and an exhaust aftertreatment system full of oil... 4900 hours and four oil changes. NJNG with medium duty trucks, 3-4 years old, over 50,000 miles and over 3000 engine hours and the factory Cummins filters still on the engine covered in Red engine paint and rust. Same scenario. I just don't get it.

I could not find anything on this at all as far as SSMs and TSBs go. I don't see how this hoise could possibly considered normal in any way.

If you have experience with these engines you know there is a history of valve springs breaking - usually causes misfiring and popping noises or at the very least the MIL will be on. Now we have something new. I have had two trucks with what seemed to have a valvetrain noise which I could not determine which side it was coming from. No misfires, no MIL. If you get one doing this start an IDS session and bring up data logger and select IMRC_MODE and start. Turn it on. If the noise goes away replace the intake manifold. BTW the manifolds are currently on back order (gheee realllly?) so I haven't had the chance to dissect the IRMC issue. I also read two Hot-Line reports with the same issue and repair with positive results.

FF just verified the conditions the code was set - consistent with the definition but no tell tale data.

Yes, this is a 6.7L Power Stroke. The Cummins was it's last Ford in 2015.

2019 F750 6.7L - P1548 - Engine Air Filter Restriction - This DTC sets when the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is less than a calibrated value during high demand acceleration engine operating conditions. Truck has 927 miles and 143 hours. There are no pinpoint tests for this code and the code action simply states to inspect air filter and check for exhaust restrictions. I found none and the filter is pretty clean. Hot-Line suggests anything that can restrict airflow through the engine can cause this code. Okay, I inspected the exhaust, Smoked the intake and removed the MAP to inspect it. No concerns found. So I am back to square one. Anyone see this one? This DTC sets when the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is less than a calibrated value during high demand acceleration engine operating conditions. This DTC sets when the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is less than a calibrated value during high demand acceleration engine operating conditions.

We have been waiting for one since OCTOBER. The battery cable fried. We are now considering removing the harness and repairing it. Funny how Summit Racing shows the harness... in stock! https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mof-wc96311?seid=srese1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2dKrydKt5wIVCY6zCh23_AusEAYYASABEgJKnvD_BwE

Absolutely. The diagnostics for a 2011 with a P207F have you thoroughly test for a restricted EGR cooler.

A 2011 6.7L has only one NOx sensor which is downstream of the SCR. This means that the PCM has no idea what the NOX numbers are going into the SCR to begin with so your thoughts on the engine emissions control (EGR) are valid.

Did you load test and wiggle test at the same time circuit CE257 and CBB39? Inspect connector C1415 and check pin fit? I doubt there are three bad valves so if the wiring checks out thoroughly would the PCM be suspect? Hotline contacted? Windshield water draining controlled or is the cowl a mess and the end drains missing? I am seeing a lot of that now with these trucks starting to age and windshield installers not putting them back on. Drains right onto the PCM and harness. Just a thought.