Ford E450 Emission recall #15E05

[elfhearse]

Just received an "urgent" recall notice from Ford for my 2012 E-450. Curious if anyone else got one.

"Issue: Your vehicles powertrain control module needs to be reprogrammed in light of changes to the GOVERNMENT test procedures. Failure to have the reprogramming performed may affect your ability to renew your vehicle's registration."

My initial thoughts were its fallout from the VW Diesel emission scandal and now the Govt/EPA etc is cracking down. Not sure if I feel the urgency the letter wants me to.

[ECones]

I had mine done yesterday. I tried to pay close attention to how it drove on the way to the dealer and on the way back, and it seemed to shift out of the lower gears a little more quickly, but then, that could be my imagination. Our next trip is in a couple of weeks; I hope the fuel mileage hasn't gotten much worse.

I really wasn't crazy about having anything done because of emissions. Like others, I just couldn't see how anything required by the EPA could be a good thing. I mean really, aren't those the same folks clinging to the notion that more ethanol in our fuel is a good thing? LOL

But, when we get ready to sell this thing, I'd like to be able to show that all recalls have been done.

[HockeyDad77]

Well, PCM reprogramming complete. The only (purely subjective) thing I noticed so far was that it appears to upshift faster when letting off of a full-throttle acceleration. Before, it used to lag between shifts and now it upshifts rapidly through a couple gears as soon as I lift off the throttle. That could also just be the default behavior for a freshly flashed PCM and it could change over time. I dunno... whatever... it's done and nothing horrible happened 😉

[tpi]

A big plus for the ECM (vs old style engine controls) is the firmware can be micro targeted to very specific conditions. Lets say fast idle for the first 30 seconds after a cold start. Or 15 RPM more idle speed. Or two degrees less timing advance for the first four minutes of operation. In the old days of carburetors and mechanical distributors, the solutions would have to be more broad brushed with more side effects.

Not disagreeing that the solution here will probably be "worse." But it can be so tiny, incrementally worse that it is unnoticeable.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

If it involves the EPA, you can bet it will result in less power and worse gas mileage...

[HockeyDad77]

Received this notice for my 2012. Having the PCM reprogramming done Monday. Mostly because the dealership is <1 mile from the storage place so it's not really an inconvenience. I've never dyno tested the camper and I don't have any "hot lap" times as a benchmark, so unless something is DRAMATICALLY different, I expect I won't notice. I'll post back if something goes horribly wrong though.

[tpi]

I sure cannot see where "not getting to it right away" would have any negative impact on durability. OTOH I believe the update is tinkering around the margins and won't have much impact on MPG or performance either. Almost every engine I've had tested is almost dead clean at cruise condition. Generally full throttle is exempt from testing. The tinkering will probably be at cold start or at idle-and it probably won't take much.

Once in a while someone will reverse engineer the firmware such as in the case of the VW issue. Several very interesting presentations online. It would be interesting to see the net changes on this one-but I doubt we ever will. If someone with a Scan gauge can read timing advance under carefully controlled conditions a comparison could be made. Though even the slightest headwind difference could impact the amount of advance applied. We could only be talking a couple degrees difference for very brief amounts of time-and far more likely under idle or cold conditions.

[Hank85713]

well I would think that the phrase that it will possibly effect the Emissions Warranty should be a cause of some concern. But, folks do what they want and then maybe will whine and cry if/when they are denied coverage in the future.

[seb1899]

I received the recall letter for my 2014 E450 yesterday July 5.

I live in NC and a Class C Motor home is only subject to an annual safety inspection not emissions for annual registration/renewal.

To have it done I would have to go to the truck dealer in north Raleigh probably 50 mi round trip.

I am going to wait and see the comments from other owners that need this done in other parts of the country requiring emission inspection and see how badly (if any) it hurts the MPG

[tpi]

I got one too- CA models involved. Just renewed registration so lets just say not a top priority.

[Mich_F]

I got my recall letter July 2. I can just see my mpg getting worse when/if I do this recall. :E

[tpi]

This is speculation and nothing more-

I found the CA test results for my '11. The Federal certification does not list results. There may be completely different tune for the CA model.
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/programs/emissions/2011_a0101599.pdf

Assuming it wasn't a direct cheat, and I am not, the one marginal category was HC. The NOX and CO results were far under allowable.

On this engine the ECU cannot control cam timing, or EGR (not equipped). It can control ignition timing, idle speed, fuel injection parameters.

Assuming the unburned HC is the marginal issue here, a logical place to work is cold start. Pull back timing a couple degrees for a few minutes at start and crack up the fast idle a tad. Possibly hold transmission gears a little longer. This to light off the converter faster. It is my observation that my engine is a little slow to light the converter. A solution like this could mean all the rest of the duty cycle is unchanged after a couple minutes of cold operation.

Of course this is grabbing for straws. But I can't believe in general it is off by much.

[the2sharps]

I received a notice for my 2011 E450. What am I missing, have the EPA testing procedures recently changed because my unit has been annually passing the Texas emission test.

[Pops]

Got one today for my 2012 E450

[tpi]

Hmm there were some related to trailer brake controller on 14 and newer models, one issued June 16. But I have not seen any for emissions. I'll keep checking. Saw mention in Ford truck enthusiast forum..must be brand new.
15E05

Affected vehicles: 2011-2016 E-Series Cutaway and Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L 2V gas engine

Situation: In some of the affected vehicles, the 6.8L 2V gas engine may not comply with government emissions standards when tested using the latest EPA test procedures.