I own a 10 passenger Transit 150 (3.7L V6) with ~29,000 miles. A couple of weeks ago I filled the tank with e85 for the first time. The next morning, the van wouldn't start. The techs at the Ford dealer reset the computer and returned it. The next time I drove it the check engine light came on. Tech said it was the same issue and again reset. The service wasn't going to be covered under warranty because they said it was a result of operator error. They claimed I should not be mixing fuels; only put e85 in if the tank is less than a quarter full. I wasn't mixing fuels and provided them with a receipt showing that I filled the tank two days prior with 22 gallons of e85 (25 gallon tank.) They relented and said they would submit it to be covered under warranty.
For a couple of days the van did fine. The only thing I noticed was that it would run rough for the first 2 seconds, then even out. Then it wouldn't start again and I had to have it returned to the shop. They've now had it for four days and have been unable to resolve the issue. The van is inconsistently reading the alcohol content of the fuel and as a result isn't calibrated correctly and won't start. Tech said every time they get a reading from it it's different and has swung from 27 up to 60. They've replaced the mass air flow sensor and checked and confirmed other sensors. They don't seem to know where to go from here. They simply said they'll have to think outside the box.
Any ideas what this could be? How much time will the techs at this Ford dealer tinker with it before escalating it - and what does escalation look like? This is my family vehicle and we're immobile until I get it back.
Very frustrating. Thanks for any help!
For a couple of days the van did fine. The only thing I noticed was that it would run rough for the first 2 seconds, then even out. Then it wouldn't start again and I had to have it returned to the shop. They've now had it for four days and have been unable to resolve the issue. The van is inconsistently reading the alcohol content of the fuel and as a result isn't calibrated correctly and won't start. Tech said every time they get a reading from it it's different and has swung from 27 up to 60. They've replaced the mass air flow sensor and checked and confirmed other sensors. They don't seem to know where to go from here. They simply said they'll have to think outside the box.
Any ideas what this could be? How much time will the techs at this Ford dealer tinker with it before escalating it - and what does escalation look like? This is my family vehicle and we're immobile until I get it back.
Very frustrating. Thanks for any help!