2005 powerstroke 4000 miles and eight trips to the dealer

[Cowboy Medic]

We bought two new ambulances for our service this past fall. Trucks are E-450 chassis Ford Powerstrokes, with wheeled coach boxes. both trucks are practically identical. One works just fine the other has not had a single week without a breakdown unless it just hasn't been driven. Right now it is sputtering and dying whether it is running down the road or stopping at a light the engine just won't stay running. Sometimes you can get it to start again other times it just doesn't want to start at all at that point. Let it sit for half an hour and it will start.



We have 6 ambulances plus a paramedic intercept tahoe. These two trucks were bought to be used for our longer transfers to higher care facilities. Usually they will get 150 or so miles per run. Sometimes as high as 1500 miles on a transfer. So it is critical that they be reliable. This is the eighth time it has been in the shop. The very first time it was driven after being delivered it dumped all its' coolant because the coolant hose had a slice in it, not sure how that happened but it actually looked like someone sliced it with a knife. Since then it has been doing what I described above most often when coming to a stop. They have replaced all kinds of stuff relating to sensors and the transmission claiming it was a problem with the torque converter locking up and killing the engine when you try and stop, when I have driven it and had problems it seems much more like fouled injectors, air in the fuel line or something like that.



Our feeling at this point is that given the nature of our business and that this truck in particular was supposed to be designated as the second out emergency truck, first out transfer truck, we feel that if a definitive solution cannot be achieved very soon we need to have a replacement.



Do you guys that have experience with the 6. 0's have any suggestions that I should pursue to ensure everything has been checked? Or how to initiate getting a replacement chassis, or other alternative.



Thanks for your replies.



Jon

 

[Doubleclutch]

Did the thing overheat when it dumped it's coolant? From the nature of it's use, ask the dealer if he would feel comfortable with one of his loved ones in the back Pretty serious reasons to change out this vehicle. Sorry to hear about this.

Greg

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Nope didn't overheat, barely made it two blocks out of the station before it was noticed.

 

[bmoeller]

Cummins conversion time.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Actually the service manager at the dealership we go to just took the paramedic class and was a student rider with me. He asked what I wanted to have done and I told him just that. because it is a dealership that sells both ford and dodge.



Unfortunately I just don't see it happening.

 

[Dieselnut59]

Why does Dodge not offer ambulance packages? I have never seen a dodge or chev ambulance. Pretty sad when the things are powered by the most unreliable diesel in the business!!

 

[TowPro]

Why does Dodge not offer ambulance packages?

because they do not use the standard distance between frame rails and they don't have a flat frame the body builders need. Until Yesterday's introduction of the new HD! Now if they can get the 4500 and 5500's out the body builders will be set.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Yep, I was very excited to see that announcement. I have wanted a cummins powered ambulance for years. Might actually have a chance at one now.

 

[klenger]

I sure am glad I'm not a Ford fanatic. I guess I'm pretty much brand loyal (with my truck anyway) and it would be the pits to try to keep a smile on my face if I owned a 6. 0.

 

[PKitzman]

Tell the dealer you need a replacement. If he balks at the idea mention how a press story would look if somebody dies because of this POS truck. I bet that will get the ball rolling.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Well, got a call a little while ago. They are saying they found a wiring harness that was chaffed and had some wire shorting out in it. They replaced the harness and it is supposed to be running and ready to go. I guess we will see.



On a positive note, the service manager did state that he agreed if this does not solve the problem he will work to get us a new truck. Helps that he is on the volunteer ambulance in his town. He recently took the paramedic class and was a student under me. We provide ALS intercept for them so I have gotten to work with him often as well in that capacity.



I will be going over to get it here shortly and will let you know what happens with it.



Jon

 

[ThompsonS]

DOes the lemon law apply here?



would make some bad publicity if it got on the local 6 o clock news

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Well, we have had it back for a little over a week now and so far so good. We are watching it close though.

 

[TWilkening]

It really is a shame that is is happening. You don't want engine failures on any vehicle, let alone an ambulance, with the potential for very bad things to happen. As far as no Dodge or Chevy ambulances, our hospital has a Chevy with a 6. 5. They also have a Ford with the 7. 3.

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I worked for service that used some type 1 chevy's and they were ok, but the chassis was only 1 ton and they just didn't seem to hold up to the weight, within a few months of getting them the boxes would sway so bad on the back that you got motion sick even if you had been in the navy like me.



I would really love to see the Dodge's come out in the 4500 or 5500 and just see what one of those would be like for an ambulance. Maybe it wouldn't be any better. THe vast majority of the rigs I have ran out of have been 7. 3 ford's and to be honest I have never minded, for the most part they have been very reliable. Always seem to lose power on the hills. Kinda embarrassing to be running emergency lights trying to get a patient to the cath lab and be cruising down interstate at 85 or so and then hit a hill and have traffic backed up behind you for a mile because now you are going 65.



Oh well, not as big an issue as it used to be because more and more we can bring so much to the patient in the field that the vast majority of the time I actually tell the drivers to go slow and just let me work. Trauma is about the only ones we still have to rush because they need surgery and that is only when we can't get a helicopter due to weather or other calls which thankfully is not often.

 

[SHobbs]

I know weight is a factor, but International has an I6 at around 1400lbs that Furd could use. After all Furd claims to have the best suspension and I don't think it would be too difficult to drop one in with a little front end modifications. Plus the added benefit of a more reliable powerplant to boot. They think the 6. 0 is bad just wait till the 6. 4 comes out, geeze another new design to play with. At least they are dumping the HEUI injection for a common rail.