Ford's answers to the NHTSA 6.7 Investigation

Huntindog wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

rick83864 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Ford has a documented procedure for the techs to inspect different components of the fuel system including inspecting the filters for DEF comtamination. It's really a basic procedure that should catch any gross contaminants and/or owner neglect for maintenance.

Something like this?? C&P sorry I lost the link.


This is very important & somewhat controversial, but in being a believer that an informed customer is a better customer, I'm posting a portion of a publication that was recently made available to the Ford Technicians regarding fuel quality and the implications that poor diesel fuel quality/contamination has on the diesel high pressure fuel system. This is not altogether new news, however the implications are significant.

Engineering investigation into the impact of poor diesel fuel quality has determined that there are a number of fuel system related failures tied directly to poor fuel. The OEM Automotive industry appears to be taking a position that the Petroleum Industry and Fuel Distributors/Suppliers/Sellers must take control of the quality of the product (in this case diesel fuel) they are providing.

In short, please talk with your diesel fuel providers/stations/etc. where possible to discuss diesel fuel quality. The result of poor fuel is a very expensive repair (pump, injectors, lines and rails), the techs when there is an issue, will be visually inspecting components and comparing them with known failed components where root cause was fuel quality causing internal corrosion of the fuel system.


Fuel system contamination on 6.7L diesel engines can damage the fuel system components including the High Pressure (HP) fuel injection pump and fuel injectors. Engine operation on fuels and additives that do not meet the lubrication, cooling and anti-corrosion properties required by the HP fuel system components may cause symptoms including, but not limited to, the following:
· Crank No Start
· Long Crank/Hard Start
· Runs Rough
· Low Power
· Engine Knocking
· Exhaust Smoke
· Fuel Rail Pressure (FRP) slow to build
Follow the appropriate service procedure depending on whether the engine has been started with contaminated fuel, or not.


NOTE:

Failure to follow these procedures may result in fuel system and/or engine damage and may require vehicle warranty cancellation submission. Repairs required due to the use of improper fluids and fuel are not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.


NOTE: The most common sources of contaminated fuel are:
· Auxiliary vehicle mounted tanks
· Local storage tanks
· Other infrequently used fuel sources
· Refueling errors
The best action that can be taken to avoid concerns with the fuel system is to ensure vehicles are only fueled from sources with known quality diesel fuels verified to be free from water and other contaminants

It's called "prove it pal" or "gotch guy". JFYI Chebie is honoring there warranty.

Like I asked Ricatic... Where's GM's documented policy?

BTW remember that bad quality diesel can include diesel without the lubricity additive

And since there's alot of KookAid drinking going on here, put Dodge's documented procedure next to the KoolAid as well.

As a GM owner that has been following this closely from the begining....I can tell you that I have never seen a GM doc. like you are requesting. It may well not exist. If it does, it is not important as GM doesn't deny warranties like Ford does on HPFPs.

The Ford doc was actually posted by a Ford engineer some time before HPFPs became a known issue to the public.

GM has never posted anything like it on a public forum.

Ford also has other requirements that GM does not.

There is a paper that Ford wants signed at delivery (dealer follow thru is inconsistant) it states the need to drain the water seperator monthly, and strongly suggests the use of specific fuel treatments...Which are Ford products.

GM has no scheduled draining of the water seperator required, and actually discourages the use of fuel additives!

Not related to HPFPs, but Ford also require coolant testing at 15K.

Ford also seems to still be having trouble with radiators leaking.

GM has no radiator problems,,,,,and no coolant testing requirements.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the tone is vastly different between the two companys in terms of warranty coverage and ownership experience.

Ford takes a combative stance with their customers,,,even on issues that they know they have a problem with.

Gm wants their customers experience to be a positive one. They don't want their customers to feel like they are playing russian roulette every time they purchase fuel. Thus, HPFPs are covered.
No need to test coolant all the time. No radiator problems. If it happens it will be covered.

I would be very surprised if GM's policy when reviewing a HPFP failure under warrenty is simply put the blind fold on and replace the HPFP and tell the customer sorry for the inconvience.

Just so you know we have 2 Chevrolet DMAX's in my family so I know how some of the issues were handled or not handled quite like you explain in your post above.