Mekanik Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 This started on December 16th. A customer that just bought a used 2006 f350 at our dealer brought his truck in with a list of problems. One of his problems was lack of heat. Long story short... The coolant level was really low and it was venting out of the de-gas bottle. I followed the TSB for coolant loss. No external leaks, the cooling system held vacuum when cold and when hot. The ECT/EOT difference was 20f and the coolant pressure would go up to 15psi on hard accel and the bottle would vent. Now keep in mind that a 20f ECT/EOT difference was acceptable in December. So I followed the TSB and obtained prior aproval for the headgaskets. the next thing I know, the customer takes the truck because he needs it for plowing. We all know how these guys are about their plowtrucks. Besides, I have no control over a customer taking his truck before it is fixed. The truck comes back in yesterday. Mil light on(there were no DTC's last time it was in) and there is coolant dripping from the exaust. I tear the thing down and find that both headgaskets are leaking, the EGR cooler is leaking too(I confirmed this with the tester and a water tank). I also tested the oil cooler with the vacuum tester. 10 inches of vacuum; it's restricted. The ECT/EOT max difference has changed since the last time the truck was in. It is now 15f. I was talking to a hotline engineer about another vehicle today and I mention this truck and ask about getting prior aproval for the oil cooler and the EGR cooler. He says that the oil cooler won't be a problem because of the revised spec. the EGR cooler, he tells me might be a problem and they will take away the prior aproval for the headgaskets because it will look like the only problem was a leaking EGR cooler. Now I'm really pissed off. Do you realize that if you followed the diag steps like I did, you are supposed to replace the headgaskets without bench testing the oil and EGR cooler? I already got aproval for the oil cooler without any problem and I am replacing the EGR cooler (with the headgaskets), but not putting it on the repair order. I followed all the steps and now I have to play games to fix the truck. It's not like I'm tyring to take advantage of this TSB and get paid for taking it apart twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchan68 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 It could be worse. I am currently awaiting approval for ANOTHER engine on a 2003 truck that I replaced the first engine at 120,000 kms. and drove 80,000 kms. without further issue until two days ago. Now, this truck is stuck in my bay with the cab up in the air awaiting approval (at 202,000 kms. !!!), which even if granted, I won't be able to get it for at least 6 to 7 business days (no stock)!!! Like your truck, mine too is a salter and plow truck about to lose his contracts because of this mess, while I'm about to lose my shirt for the next week or two, scrambling to find other bays to work out of!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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