09 E-350 sputtering w/no power

[DCortez]

Lost power on the highway today. Sputtered into a parking lot. Van will start but run extremely rough, choking and sputtering. It can barely move.

Got it towed to the dealership near my house.

Dealer is telling me the lining in the fuel tank has disintegrated. The particles have ruined the sending unit, damaged the fuel pump, and of course I need a new tank. Also, they said the new fuel additives are to blame and that 1 in 20 tanks have this happen to them

Does this sound feasible? If I get the work done, it's going to cost $2,800.

[DCortez]

Apparently, this flaking problem affects 1998-2008 Fords. Ford has known about it for some time and will not take responsibility. They blame the problem on bio-diesel. I live and work in Houston and can't say I've ever seen bio-diesel at the pumps except for one time south of Dallas. When I saw the "Willy Nelson" brand, I drove to the next station instead of taking a chance on a fad.

I have two stations near my home that I use 95% of the time. Shell and Valero. So go figure.


Here's an article I found:

Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford F-550 gas tank interior is flaking away & clogging fuel line, pump, problem #1
2007
Sep 26
(reported on)F-550 Diesel
Automatic transmission
46,000 miles

I have posted the following on Consumer Reports & with NHTSA, but I am looking for more support on this issue and I am trying to reach as many people as possible. This is a real concern for the hundreds of thousands of working men and women who own Ford diesel trucks made from 1998 - 2008. Ford has stated these are the years effected (I have it in writing). The repairs run in the thousands and Ford REFUSES to accept ANY responsibility. Please read on...
__________________________________________________ _____________
Mr. Alan Mulally, President
Ford Motor Company
1 American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126-2798

Dear Mr. Mulally,

I have had an ongoing issue that I feel is now at a point that you, and your colleagues that I can copied on this letter, should be aware of. And if Ford is the upstanding company I believed they were up until now, you will take some action on this issue.

I have had a fleet of solely Ford trucks used for my business for about 10 years now and have spent approximately $300,000. in vehicle purchase. I recognize that I am far from your largest customer, but you stand on the fact that you make the best works trucks for companies just like mine. This issue, along with the unbelievably bad customer service delivered, certainly makes a strong stance in just the opposite.

This issue is in reference to our 2003 Ford F-550 Diesel Dump Truck. The first documented occurrence of the problem of loss of power while on the road and running was back in 2005. The problem was finally properly diagnosed on September 13, 2007 by McCafferty Ford in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The problem was that the lining of the fuel tank was flaking away and clogging the fuel lines, fuel pump and filter. Your reason for this happening was that 5% or more of biodiesel was used in the tank. After much research on my Assistants (Robin Beall) part, we have found that just about all of our fuel purchased for this vehicle was manufactured by either Exxon or Sunoco. Ms. Beall has been able to obtain statements, which I’ve enclosed, from both Exxon and Sunoco that determine undeniably that there is no chance ANY biodiesel was purchased from them. Beyond those statements, Sunoco has offered to not only test the fuel we saved from the tank, but will also run tests on every station we purchased from and go to their board and attorneys on our behalf with this issue. McCafferty Ford has also shown their support of us, just in order to keep us happy as their customer, has credited us back half of the repair costs. Which, as far as I’m concern, was not their responsibility to do and should be refunded to them by Ford. These tanks are obviously faulty for some reason other than the use of biodiesel in them.

Your customer service has spoken to us as if we were in the wrong and have been accusatory every step of the way through this and their last denial to us was a blatant lie. Gail Perez, Customer Care Specialist in the Escalated Department told us that McCafferty Ford stated that there was proof of the fact that there was 5% or more of bio diesel used and that was the sole basis of Ford’s denial. No one at McCafferty made that statement to anyone. Nor is there any proof of such. And, McCafferty stated that they have addressed this same issue with Ford 6 or 7 times prior to our issue and that Ford has been “very uncooperative”.

To sum things up, all we are asking from Ford is to take care of these repair costs, as they should. We will take this as far as it needs to go in order to be treated as any one of your customers, who have been as loyal to Ford as we have been, should be treated. My Assistant has done a great deal of leg work to substantiate the fact that no biodiesel was ever put in this truck and she has the ability to account for, support the make-up of, and obtain documentation on every drop of fuel ever put in this truck. Please don’t force our hand to go to those lengths.

I would appreciate a prompt response to this issue.

[colinmitchell111]

if its an 09 wouldnt it be covered under warranty? and why are you posting in the 7.3 section?