Keith Browning

Bruce, this is a driveline class and the other is a transmission class. The problem with training now is that so few technicians are being signed up for many classes that the class never gets to the "magic number" of students to change the course from wait list to scheduled. I was on a wait list for this class three years ago and it then disappeared. After re-enrolling, my company was bought out and became a different dealer with a different dealer code and all that. Dropped again! I was put back on the wait list about a year ago. Any way, many training centers have been shut down and instructors let go or reassigned. There used to be three centers in NJ. Now there are none. Closest is Yonkers NY then Boston. A coworker is going to Boston for a brake class. Now training becomes a bigger expense and hassle and I wonder if that will compound the problem.

Sometimes you need to run a test under certain conditions that the test parameters won't allow. In this case the IDS EGR test which requires among other things that the engine oil temperature be above 186 degrees. Fine. I needed to run the test cold. Out comes my gauge tester and I disconnect the EOT sensor and dial in 200 degrees. Go to run the test and EOT shows at 46 degrees. Then I unplugged the ECT sensor and what do you know? Uh huh. In the test IDS shows EOT but it is really displaying ECT. Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things but I thought that was interesting. Simply unplugging the ECT made the temp default to 212 degrees on this particular vehicle.

Our dealer is hosting a "Power Stroke Day" in April followed bt a classic truck show presented by the American Truck Historical Society (or members of) a past president and long time member works for our company. It's presented by our parts department and they invite Power Stroke owners and fleet people from the area to see vehicles, engine demos and information. Ironically I will be in Yonkers for training but the boss hasn't figured that out yet. She may change her mind and keep me out of a class that I have been trying to get into for three years.

There is no greater solitude for a man than being in his own and favorite crapper.

As much as that clamp style holder seemed un-necessary... this new one falls under the category of "epic fail." The irony here is that I bitched to myself how the turn lock was all Ford needed and the clamp could be done away with. I can hear my Dad now... "Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!"

I am pretty sure Bruce is well versed in the Pico scope.

Did I miss the announcement? The secondary fuel filter "housing" has changed to a no clamp design? We Ford fucked this one up royally in my humble opinion. The filter fits in the housing to tightly that you can barely turn it let alone lift it out. I had to use two pry bars. The only way it was going back in was with a coating of silicone grease. I applaud the no-tool required design but WTF!

There mught be something to that. If we look at the location of the turbo and what is in front of it blocking air from the fan this might be a valid concern.

I am sorry to hear of your illnes Jim. Cancer is not the automatic death sentence it once was so I wish for you a successful recovery endeavor. Smoking should not be only concern. In our industry we expose ourselves and each other to many sources of chemicals and toxins. From running vehicles without exhaust hoses, spraying chemicals and raising brake dust... and so on. All things we can greatly reduce if we simply put our minds to it. I quit smoking many years ago cold turky and with one attempt. My wife tried for several years and made 3 or 4 attempts before succeeding. Quitting is the best advice. Wanting to is 90% of the battle. GET WELL!

Well that would be a matter of the access we are going to have to the engine. If there is an engine cover in the cab no big deal. Now we need to see a Transit with the hood open so we can see what we will be up against. Hopefully this thing won't have problems.

In all honesty I don't think that is a bad looking car. BUT. Id does have too many of the over-familiar Ford corporate styling cues. The front end looks like whch Ford models?

I cut some of those off and attached about a foot of fuel line to a few sizes that I connect to the fuel tank connections. The fuel line goes into a fuel can that gets secured to the frame. This allows me to move trucks easily when the fuel tanks are out getting a reconditioned.

I was thinking the same thing. But imagine this Brad, aftermarket tuners for the suspension! You can push a button on a display and wallah, a 4" lift! Actually that would be pretty cool to be able to raise and lower the truck and even adjust the attitude. But I too wonder if that system is going to be problematic for Dodge

THe entire Ford site sucks. But I honestly think it's our network at the dealership. At home the pages load in a snap.

I did notice. At first I thought "Optima" was a trim level... oh shit! It's not even a Fusion!

I thought I was the only one with a bucket of caps. As a matter of fact I just washed them!

WOW! I did not look closely the first time I looked at the picture but you might be right. Is that a uni-body frame made out of body sheet metal? WTF!

Man Aaron, you sure are getting around since leaving the dealership. My guess is that you will enjoy this one!

Now that is saying something!

I would LOVE to know how Ford Motor company expects any human being to be able to service the valve springs on a 6.8L engine in an E-450 chassis. Could you please tell me? It is physically impossible to access the valves in the middle cylinders with the body close to the head and the balance and camshafts installed. This is nuts!!! I QUIT! I am pullin the engine.

If you are looking for the hardshell for the most part a WPT-338 (Gold) 3U2Z-14S411-ARA Pig-tail connector looks like it will fit. The wiring might be to light for the fuel heater circuit.

Yep. You read that right! My company is one of the major sponsors of the Morristown Saint Patrick's day parade and of course we will have vehicles rolling. Here is our 2012 St' Patty's edition Ford Taurus police Interceptor. I love the green stobes and yes, the center caps are green anodized coated too!

These people submitted some information to my service manager and he asked me to look into it and offer an opinion. I already gave my opinion but I know nothing about this company or their products. Anybody hear of this or use it? TerraClean

I am stuck on Band Aid's 'cause Band Aid's are stuck on me!

Yes it works.