my 2012 F350 died today

Use this forum for technical questions regarding tow vehicles.

Moderators: Mike Clay, Olbird

Post Reply
watkinsk
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
Location: North Carolina, Clayton

my 2012 F350 died today

Post by watkinsk »

It just quit running. It was 10 degrees this morning so i started it and let it idle about 5-10 minutes. We then drove about 3/4 mile and the screen flashed "pull over and stop immediately". I did and the engine shut down by itself. I was able to immediately restart it and drove 300 yards and the same event re-occured but this time it wouldnt even try to turn-over. After a few choice words i called AAA for a tow, then i called the nearest Ford dealer in Loveland to tell him a truck was being towed in. He said it sounded like a gelled fuel line and it may restart if i let it set. Obtw, did i mention we are 180 miles from home visiting my son and have to leave tomorrow.
The tow truck shows up and he suggested i try to start it. Sure enough it starts so i am conviced it is a gelled fuel line. I pour a few ounces of anti-gell in the tank and am convinced all is well. I drive about 3-4 miles stop and got no problems. I then decide to get the fuel flter changed just to be safe. About 200 yards from the Grease Monkey, the screen flashes the dreaded "you truck will shut down in 50 miles" and gives me a Contaminated or low DEF signal. Obtw, i had just topped off the DEF 2 weeks ago.
I leave the truck to get the filter changed. I go back to pick up the truck and the guy says "it died and wont start". Wont even turn over again and OBTW the bill is $199 to change the filter out. Now i am really P.O'd.
I let the truck sit 30 minutes after we push it out of the bay at GreaseMonkey. It now starts but the same error message occurs and by the tme i drive a few miles to get it my sons home the DEF shut down message says i have 42 miles until total shut down. The AAA tow truck picks it up and hauls it 12 miles to Loveland to the nearest Ford dealer for warranty repair. Of course i now have to rent a car to drve back home and Lord knows when the dealer will get to it. It is probably a NOX sensor but i am afraid once a DEF problem starts, it never really ends. Obtw, did i say i am pis#@ed.
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
User avatar
dfredendall
Council, Moderator
Posts: 2396
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:11 pm
Location: California Highland
Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
Location: California Highland

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by dfredendall »

I feel your pain. Once you get fuel problems it can contaminate the entire system and take a long time to flush out. 10 degrees is way too cold for me, but what are you gonna do. Be thankful for warranty service and a return trip to see your son I guess.
Dana & Cindy Fredendall
Highland, California
2018 3350RLX- Luxury Edition
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel
There are great experiences and new friends everywhere we go!
watkinsk
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
Location: North Carolina, Clayton

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by watkinsk »

It's been below -5 degrees for the last week in Woodland Park. Loveland is a heat wave for us.
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
User avatar
BMullins46
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas Lubbock
Cardinal Owners: 06 Cardinal 31RKT; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DRW, Lariat 6.7 Diesel.
Location: Texas Lubbock

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by BMullins46 »

Keith, do you run fuel additive during the winter? Sometime I think i may be wasting money, but, it sure beats having the fuel gel. I haven't heard of anything to put in the DEF to keep it from freezing. I was surprised at my 15K OLF service that they didn't even mention replacing the fuel filter on mine, the Dodge dealer was pretty quick to recommend it every 15K on my 06 2500. Normal replacement was $75, but I've been told to expect it to be more on the Ford. Good luck getting everything back up and running.
Bill & Debbie
06 31RKT, MorRyde LRE/4000; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 F350 DRW 4X2 Lariat, 6.7 Diesel, TransferFlow aux fuel tank
Fur babies, Betty and Cocoa
Nights camping
2011-102; '12-111; '13-89; '14-108; '15-142; '16-92; '17-163; '18-81
User avatar
teallen
Posts: 3222
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 pm
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,
Cardinal Owners: 2012 3030
Skype ID: thomas.allen511
Location: Michigan Battle Creek,

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by teallen »

Keith, sorry to hear about your truck problems, hope things start getting better for you. When I first got my truck I got some bad fuel and of course it was a trip out west. Heck of a time finding a ford dealer to get you in without waiting 2 weeks. I too run fuel additive and have not had a problem since.
Tom and Judy
2012 Cardinal 3030RS ("le Chateau")
2018 RAM 3500
9 grandkids (keeps us busy)
Rallys attended - 17
2019 Camping Days- 7
Camping Days - 2011 - 90, 2012 - 144, 2013 - 130, 2014 - 130, 2015 - 107
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by Mike Clay »

Sounds to me like your DEF froze. 10 degrees on winter blend fuel should not be a problem.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
bfast54

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by bfast54 »

I am gonna also vote,frozen DEF,....which now you have to purge system,and convince it ,it's alright...
Did I say recently,how I LOVE MY OLDER TRUCK...... :d
snoking

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by snoking »

bfast54 wrote:I am gonna also vote,frozen DEF,....which now you have to purge system,and convince it ,it's alright...
Did I say recently,how I LOVE MY OLDER TRUCK...... :d
Mark, the allure of the new trucks is very strong when you test drive one. However they are very very complex rigs now a days, that are much more tightly tether to the dealers service department, and no longer DIY rigs for many things that we could do in the past.

Hopefully Ford will step up to this issue and not try to blame part of the issue on the Grease Monkey pit stop, and deny warranty.

Chris
Last edited by snoking on Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
WVcampers
Posts: 1192
Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: West Virginia Pocatalico
Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250RL Luxury
Location: West Virginia Pocatalico

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by WVcampers »

I am sure that Ford will take care of your truck. I have never had a warranty denial by Ford and I have owned many. I have read on the net about warranty denials, but I don't believe everything that I read on the net. I know how hard it is to get an out of town dealer to put you in front of the locals. They know that their reputation is based on local patrons, not the "just passing through" guy. It used to be much easier but like Chris said these new vehicles are tied to the dealer. That makes the dealers service department much busier than they were a few years ago.

Please keep us update to date on your truck.
Randy & Carol
Elbie (weiner dog)
2018 Cardinal 3250 RLX Luxury Edition
2019 Ford F350 6.7PSD Lariat 4x4 SRW
watkinsk
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
Location: North Carolina, Clayton

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by watkinsk »

I do use Kleenz from Walmart with the anitigel and then some Sea Breeze. THis is my second winter with the truck. Last year I didn't have any problems. What is strange is that the weather the past week in Woodland Park had been much colder at night than the 5 degrees in WIndsor. Frozen DEF>...hmmmm!
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
Rob & Cathy

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by Rob & Cathy »

It's my understanding thate the DEF tank and output line are both heated so there may be a problem with the heaters. Also, when the engine is shutoff the DEF tank pump runs in reverse to remove any DEF in the output line. If DEF is left in that narrow line it will freeze easily.

Rob
Samsbird
Posts: 209
Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 5:46 pm
Location: Virginia Culpeper
Cardinal Owners: 35 sbqle fifth wheel
Skype ID: yes
Location: Virginia Culpeper

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by Samsbird »

Kieth, did the message center by chance read "stop safely now"? If it did then it is probably an EGT sensor, the exhaust system has 4 of them. Hope Ford gets it fixed for you real soon.

Randall
2009 35sbq fifth wheel
2012 F350 SRW King Ranch 6.7 Powerstroke
1969 (428 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1)
1970 (Boss 302)
watkinsk
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
Location: North Carolina, Clayton

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by watkinsk »

Randall, the first time it died it read "stop safely now". It pretty much shut down within 100 yards. Then it restarted after sitting for about an hour and the message had disappeared. Later in the day is when I got the DEF system error messages.
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
User avatar
BMullins46
Posts: 1569
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:45 pm
Location: Texas Lubbock
Cardinal Owners: 06 Cardinal 31RKT; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 Ford F350 DRW, Lariat 6.7 Diesel.
Location: Texas Lubbock

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by BMullins46 »

Keith, did you get thawed yet?
Bill & Debbie
06 31RKT, MorRyde LRE/4000; 2016 XLR 385AMP
2012 F350 DRW 4X2 Lariat, 6.7 Diesel, TransferFlow aux fuel tank
Fur babies, Betty and Cocoa
Nights camping
2011-102; '12-111; '13-89; '14-108; '15-142; '16-92; '17-163; '18-81
Samsbird
Posts: 209
Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 5:46 pm
Location: Virginia Culpeper
Cardinal Owners: 35 sbqle fifth wheel
Skype ID: yes
Location: Virginia Culpeper

Re: my 2012 F350 died today

Post by Samsbird »

I am curious too Keith as I also have a 2012 F350, let us know what they find.

Randall
2009 35sbq fifth wheel
2012 F350 SRW King Ranch 6.7 Powerstroke
1969 (428 Super Cobra Jet Mach 1)
1970 (Boss 302)
Post Reply