Scott B Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I am curious how many Ford Techs have seen alot of Branch tube cracks at the STC fitting.I work at a International dealership and we have had quite a Few late 04-05 engines with this problem.Strangely enough the STC fitting has been intact on all of them and was undamaged.The cracks are right at the feed block where the tubes connect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown99 Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I havn't seen any tubes cracked at that location, just the block pushed out of the STC fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Warman Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I've come across a couple (yes, even the shop foreman gets these) with big chunks of the IPR screen wedged in the IPR valve.... Even without any sign of STC fitting failure, these get an HPOP and the STC kit.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torqued_Up Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Nada here too. I have never seen one of those crack but I have read about it. Is there a difference in the tubes between the PSD and the international engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott B Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 To The Best of my knowledge The VT is the Exact same inside as a Ford application.We do the repair In chassis and without pulling the Heads.In most International applications believe it or Not acess isnt as good as you would think but not as bad as a Pick up.I just did a Branch tube replacement in a UPS van.I had to drill out the rivets on a section of the floor on the drivers side to remove it just to get the Valvecover off LOL!.Pull the trans,Rear engine cover,Turbo, HP Pump,6,8,7 Injectors, rockers and pushtubes.Then You have to get a long 1/4 extension with a #40 torx go down thru the Push tube hole at a angle to get to the bolts holding the ends of branch tube down in the valley.This is where it is most frustrating after you back the bolt out you have to stick a pencil magnet down thru again to retrieve it or risk it possibly falling out into the eng while removing the branch tube. Not to mention your socket could also take a dive while pulling it back up through.On this particular tk Even though you can remove the Doghouse in the cab to get to the top of the Eng the drivers side was the worst to do.I almost got My Big ass head stuck behind the Steering column inside the Cab while trying to look down though the Head to get the socket into the Branch tube bolt!.I have to say it beat the shit out of me. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown99 Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 Did you notice the repair times on the UPS junks. 3.0 to repair the STC fitting, 3.9 for all other chassis. Half the equipment is in different locations, the ECM/IDM don't come out to easily. Just did one yesterday and was hoping the branch tube was ok, it was but it was slightly bent. I have so much 365 work it is digusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott B Posted August 24, 2006 Author Share Posted August 24, 2006 Yes I noticed it.The shop usually eats it on these cause they are so miserable.I have learned a Few tricks on them to lessen the aggrivation.But still cringe when I see one getting towed in.One thing nice for me is I am Not stuck on Internationals everday.It gets split up with mostly CAT and some Cummins work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
International Tech Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 I just did and STC fitting repair in a UPS last week. At that time i said if i had to do the branch tube the engine will definately come out. I remain firm on that if another one comes in. The 444E is much easier to work on in the UPS/Fed-EX trucks than the 365. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGM Posted August 26, 2006 Share Posted August 26, 2006 To The Best of my knowledge The VT is the Exact same inside as a Ford application.We do the repair In chassis and without pulling the Heads.: In general, the front & rear covers and fuel pump systems are the only differences(physicaly).. The HPO system is the same.. The branch tubes are pretty common accross the country, thankfully most techs dont see them too often..Maybe the history would show that the coupler had been replaced in the past?? These things will torque the branch tube pretty bad and cause it to crack IMO.. I dont see how its possible, let alone practical to try try it in the truck /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banghead.gif .. My vote would be to pull the engine, especially for the first one so you can get a good idea of what your looking for.. When you pull the bolts out, fish your magnet in through the back cover(have a helper assist).. Its much easier to catch the bolt from that angle because you can get hold of it before you pull the torx out of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott B Posted August 27, 2006 Author Share Posted August 27, 2006 I agree on yanking it out.But this is how our dealership wants it done.Really the others that I have done were different International chassis than the Dreaded UPS van.They were no wear near as bad acess wise.The Uptime people tell you what all they want done in addtion to the failed part when you call them.Everyone so far Including 05 engines I have done has gotten the soft gear recall,New branch tube,STC and bracket,New PS/Fuelpump, EGR cooler and valve and Turbo recon job and VGT actuator weather they need it or not.Throw in a a Re-flash too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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