In a jam....Need some help here

[sasquatch]

I apologize, long story to follow.

I have been having issues with my truck losing coolant and it's been overheating and puking. After reading everyone here's advice, I am convinced it's the head gaskets. I've had it to the dealer three times now, and unfortunately, they are not so convinced. In fact, they tell me nothing is wrong. Even when they could see the coolant crust around the degauss bottle and on the underside of the hood, and when I told them about it overheating, they tell me it's passing all of the coolant tests and they have done the TSB's that applied, like adjusting the fan schedule.

The problem now is that the Army has me stuck in the desert while my wife is trying to get this solved before I come home in May. She is a full time nursing student and the dealer is an hour away. In May I am pulling my trailer with my stuff (10K or so) and going from Alabama to Sacramento. The last time I did that trip I overheated 3 times and that was with a lighter load and not breaking 65 mph the whole way, usually 55. I am afraid that the same thing is going to happen again.

I have talked to the service manager and he has talked to the field service rep (he says) about this. They are not willing to change anything but the degauss bottle cap because they can't get it to fail any tests they are doing. The other dealer in the area is serviced by the same field service rep so taking it there would produce the same result I imagine.

How can I go about getting them to acknowledge/fix the problem? I have no performance mods to my truck and have towed within the ratings, so there should be no reason to deny this problem. After all, I have been having this issue since it had 18K on the clock, now 26K. I would be willing to do the work myself, but I won't have the opportunity because I will only get a couple weeks of leave in May, most of which needs to be on the road. Not really sure where to go at this point. Thanks

Rob

 

[Zookie400]

i bet they are just pressure testing it, and they arent seeing any significant pressure drop so they say its good. they need to do the chemical test, where you put a vial of blue liquid in place of the pressure cap. as the engine runs bubbles pass through the liquid, and if combustion gases are present it will turn it from blue to yellow.

how you are going to make them do it.......i dont really know.

how far away is another dealer? how far away is an international dealer?

the only other idea i have is to get a BIG chip, have the wife beat the balls out of it and shoot the heads right off the truck. then see if they will fix it

welcome to the forums, and thank you for your service

 

[sasquatch]

Thanks.....I will mention the chemical test when I call them today. As far as the next dealer goes, there are a few within a couple of hours, but from what I understand, they all use the same field service rep. Right now, he is the guy telling my dealer Ford won't pay for the warranty work.

I've thought about just driving it until the coolant is low enough that it cooks the engine, but the mechanic in me just won't let that happen. Plus, I like the truck too much. Thanks,

Rob

 

[fordoor]

Here's a linkDetail Page for 75500 Combustion Leak Detector - Lisle CorporationI can sympathize because I've been exactly where you are right now,(not Egypt)including the dealer not wanting to admit the problem. You most likely have a minor leak that shows up mostly under a good load. It will only get worse. If they need to duplicate your issue,have the dealer test drive with your heavy load attached(don't go over your combined weight rating). This whole H.G.,E.G.cooler has been a giant p.i.t.a. for a lot of us that's for sure..... I look forward to you and all the good men fighting abroad getting home soon. Best of luck and Thanks also for your service

 

[sasquatch]

Thanks Fordoor,

I called the dealer today and he told me they have no way of doing the combustion gas test. So since you sent me that link, I'm going to buy that test set and have my friend check it out. So if, (I really mean when) it fails, I'll have my wife take the truck and the test kit to them so they can see for themselves. If that doesn't convince them I don't know what will.

Side note: Thanks for the military support. I've done 2 tours since 2003 in the desert, but this one (#3) is actually a diplomatic mission. Way better for the life expectancy. The bad guys think they've won the lotto if they shoot down a helicopter. Thanks

Rob

 

[Dogman]

Rob, get the tester and go to the dealer and do the combustion gas test in front of them and then see what they say...... Hell, sell them the tester and make a buck or two off of it. That way they can do there job right.

 

[fordoor]

I agree w/ Dogman. But Man! , Your dealer is telling you that they cannot perform the combustion gas test, because they know what the results will be. It may also mean that they will not recognize it as a problem even if the test turned up positive. It may not be a "Ford Approved" diagnoses, Idon't know. That is a worst case scenario. Maybe a ford tech will jump in this thread and set us straight. You should let them know that you know about the combustion test kit and see what they say. Can you some how talk directly w/ a tech there at your dealer? Service Advisors are warranty Natzis,and some of them don't know **** from a cokeing buildup on our egr valves! The @$$#&! probably hopes you'll stay overseas until your warranty runs out! Heartless some of them are; not all.