NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE OR ANOTHER NORMAL DAY?

[megawattmike]

I bought a 2008 F350 Super duty 6.4 L, 4x4 Diesel Truck on June 26, 2007. I bought it to use in a business venture that requires meeting the needs of many customers in a professional manner with dedication to time and excellence of service. I know what the customers need because I have been that customer and have formed this service to fill an unmet need. I explained this to my Ford salesman- a man I respect and trust having known him for some time. I picked the Ford he recommended because it is the same model my brother in law uses in his logging activities and he has purchased three which have worked out well. In fact I recently traveled with him and four other family members to San Diego in his F350 2006 Super duty diesel with a crew cab like mine. It was a great trip even though it was twelve hours each way. My brother in law bought another new truck like mine the next week after I got mine.
My wife and I liked the truck a lot. THEN on July 7, 2007 the truck gave us a near death experience. After traveling about twenty mile on a highway on cruise control at about 65 mph we exited on a fairly short off ramp that leads into a very busy four lane street. When I hit the brakes and started to lose a little speed something felt weird. Then as I got down to 40 the engine was ramping up to over three thousand rpm and the truck was starting to dance. There was a very small car in my path and nowhere else to go and we were running out of room.
Oh yeah—there were little kids in the back seat of the car and I don’t think they were buckled in cause I was looking at their eyes through the back window of their car.
I was close to breaking the brake pedal by the time I hit thirty and the truck was crow hopping like it had ants in its pants. I shut off the ignition and stopped within two feet of that cars back bumper. Thank God nobody died this time. We proceeded to our destination, a hospital, then went back home very carefully and not using the cruise control which I suspect to be the culprit. Before you ask—I did not have my foot on the brake and the accelerator at the same time. I checked and so did my wife, she is a commercial driver. In after thought I would throw the truck into neutral if it happened again.
Took it to Ford dealer on Monday and they had it a week—no codes and no answers. I drove it the next weekend with their black box on some deserted roads but could not get it to; repeat. Gave it back to Ford Dealer for another week to do some factory recommended tests. Still no answers. My feeling is like a sword hanging over my head when I drive this car. Ford wants to keep trying until it happens again. I am concerned that the safety issue is very big and when I drive this car I stay way back from other vehicles. Trouble is I bought the truck for business and I don’t trust it to tow a heavy trailer or to drive in heavy traffic, both requirements of the business. If this happened in snow or ice conditions there would have been a big wreck, and we will need to drive in those conditions often which is why we got the 4x4 truck
Anybody have any comments?

[Logan]

to the ORG. Sorry for your troubles with the new truck. I can not help you, but I am sure one of the techs will see this and may be able to give you an answer. For the most part, this have been awesome trucks. Hope you get it fixed though.

[megawattmike]

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT TRUCK TOO. I JUST WANT IT TO STAY ON THE LEASH.
THANKS FOR THE WELCOME

[dustindiesel]

so there was no evidence of fuel in the oil? sounds like a leaky injector could be a possibility??

[clmtng]

and have a great time here. I'm sure one of these guys can help you out.

[Big AL]

Welcome to the Site.
Sorry to hear about this experience. Stick around though, maybe somebody on here can shed some light on this.

[megawattmike]

IF IT WAS A LEAKY INJECTOR WOULDN'T IT HAVE RUN ROUGH?
ALSO WHY WOULD IT RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION WHEN I RESTARTED IT?
FORD DID LOOK AT THE INJECTON SO YOU HAVE A GOOD POINT.

I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK 25 DAYS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 10 AND ON RESTRICTED DUTY FOR 6.
THANKS
MIKE

[99gt]

i know ford had this problems with the early 99 super duties...there was a huge recall...hopefully this isn't the case again..

I'm not surprised it's not throwing any codes. This could be something as simple as the brake pedal sensor...regardless though there should not be anything wrong with your brand new $50,000 truck. I'd be pist.

Here is the 99 recall from the NHTSA

"1999 FORD F350 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Recall Date: 03/30/1999

Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL."


Here is a few TSB's that are out on the 08's

Note elevated "idle" and "surge"

"Latest Technical Information

Some F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with the 6.4L diesel may exhibit one or more of the following concerns: lacks power, leaks oil, fuel or coolant from the tail pipe, abnormal tailpipe sediment, white smoke or ash, exhaust smell, knock or rattle, elevated idle, surge, crankcase oil level over-full, MIL On, DTC's P0087, P2291, P0263-P0284, P0300-P0308, P1336, P132B, P2262, P2263, P244C or P244D. If you are experiancing any of these concerns, then take it to your dealer and have them refer to TSB # 07-8-9"


I'd call your dealer and ask about this TSB. It's a shot in the dark but worth a try.

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Last edited by 99gt : 07-22-2007 at 07:41 AM.

[megawattmike]

WOW WOOUGH-
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CC ON THESE NEW TRUCKS IS ALL "FLY BY WIRE" OR ELECTRONICS NOT MECHANICAL. I AM CONCERNED THAT AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN ON MY WAY TO CHURCH THIS MORNING WITH MY GRANDKIDS OR COULD HAPPEN IN TWO OR THREE YEARS ON THE BAY BRIDGE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH A 10k POUND LOAD ON MY TRAILER. I AM NOT ONE WHO ENYOYS RUSSIAN ROULETTE. Sorry about the capital letters. I got two messages that that is yelling--I am not mad-- at least not yet-- I do want it made right though.

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Last edited by megawattmike : 07-22-2007 at 05:39 PM. Reason: Ive been scolded for Capital letters.

[jfines@cox.net]

But I thought we didn't have cables? How would that be the recall?