2011 V10 won't start

[LAT-LON]

This is a 2011 F53 based coach with only 6006 miles. Ran the engine about a week ago while bringing in a slide and retracting the jacks. Everything appeared normal. Yesterday I tried to start the engine again to put down the jacks and extend a slide again, but this time it would not run. Spins fast enough just won't fire up. Battery is good, fuel is plentiful, all associated fuses and relays test good. OBDII tester reports no error codes have been thrown and no error idiot lights on dash. Don't have a NOID tester, but injector plug showed 2.5 VDC on a DMM at both pins which seemed odd. The fuel rails on this model don't have a schrader valve, so it's hard to tell if there is fuel there. Has some connector on the fuel line that appears to need a special tool to remove. Fumes at the tailpipe indicate that there is probably fuel though. Haven't tried starter fluid yet. Also haven't pulled a plug to test for spark. Thing is not much more than a big yard ornament right now. Hate the idea of having it towed to the nearest dealer, but I'm running out of ideas. Seems like there is little the average old mechanic can do to trouble shoot these new engines.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAT-LON Haven't tried starter fluid yet.

Please do not even try that.

Quote:

Hate the idea of having it towed to the nearest dealer, but I'm running out of ideas. Seems like there is little the average old mechanic can do to trouble shoot these new engines.

You are under warranty, call Ford customer care and they will come and tow you to the service center and fix it.

[toneumanns]

Since I have a problem prone 2011 Suncruiser also please post what Ford did you get you going. Thanks.

[LAT-LON]

Called Winnebago about the switch, but they were clueless. Called Ford and it was finally determined that the inertia fuel safety shutoff switch was eliminated from the 2011 F53 chassis. Don't know if that's good or bad, but anyway it's gone.

No one that I talked too had any better ideas about what is wrong, so I waved a white flag and called for a tow to the dealership. Since it's still under warranty, I called Ford instead of Good Sam. Now it's just a matter of what else they can break in the process of fixing the problem.

[LAT-LON]

Called dealer for an update on the RV. Seems that the problem wasn't with the PCM but caused by squirrels . They had somehow gotten behind the main fuse panel under the hood and chewed some wiring associated with the injector circuits and fuel pump. That's $ 400 worth of damage I hadn't planned on, plus another $ 6 for rat poison. Seems that the sqirrels around here are zine depleted and like to chew on anything that is galvanized, tin plated or the plastic insulation on wiring.

[LAT-LON]

Last post on this topic. Got the RV back yesterday afternoon. Ford tech wrote that he had found two ground wires chewed in half. The wire bundle exits the primary fuse block on the right side in my coach, so I guess that's where the damage occurred. Hard to see, even harder to fix I imagine. I have since blocked off access to that area with some Gorilla duct tape. Not much of a deterrent, but since the squirrels are opportunists, hopefully it will be enough. Other than nailing poison to some of the trees and possible getting a pellet gun, I'll just have to be more vigilant

[hudson]

Put a pan of pure amonia near it, they'll stay away. You can also put it in a spray bottle and spray it around, or soak a dried up corn cop in it and place it near your problem area. I've been using amonia for animal control for 40 years, it works on almost anything that breathes.

Nick
2011 Winnebago Vista 35F

[LAT-LON]

Thanks for the tip. Happy Holidays

[navychaps]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAT-LON Called dealer for an update on the RV. Seems that the problem wasn't with the PCM but caused by squirrels . They had somehow gotten behind the main fuse panel under the hood and chewed some wiring associated with the injector circuits and fuel pump. That's $ 400 worth of damage I hadn't planned on, plus another $ 6 for rat poison. Seems that the sqirrels around here are zine depleted and like to chew on anything that is galvanized, tin plated or the plastic insulation on wiring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAT-LON Last post on this topic. Got the RV back yesterday afternoon. Ford tech wrote that he had found two ground wires chewed in half. The wire bundle exits the primary fuse block on the right side in my coach, so I guess that's where the damage occurred. Hard to see, even harder to fix I imagine. I have since blocked off access to that area with some Gorilla duct tape. Not much of a deterrent, but since the squirrels are opportunists, hopefully it will be enough. Other than nailing poison to some of the trees and possible getting a pellet gun, I'll just have to be more vigilant

Quote:

Originally Posted by hudson Put a pan of pure amonia near it, they'll stay away. You can also put it in a spray bottle and spray it around, or soak a dried up corn cop in it and place it near your problem area. I've been using amonia for animal control for 40 years, it works on almost anything that breathes. Nick 2011 Winnebago Vista 35F

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAT-LON Thanks for the tip. Happy Holidays

Glad to hear that it was not a "Ford" issue and was easily resolved sans $400 . I also like the Ammonia tip, may have to use that one.

[173dave]

when it's running what kind of mileage do you get?

[navychaps]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 173dave when it's running what kind of mileage do you get?

Probably about the same as mine 7.5 to 8 MPG

[LAT-LON]

Although I've never been a Ford fan, the V10 seems to be a more than capable power plant. My last coach was a 2005 Minnie with the 2 valve version and it never gave me any trouble. I used the Ford Roadside Service to tow this coach (even though I have Good Sam ERS) and they were very responsive and followed up every 30 minutes until the truck came. They then called the dealer the next day to make sure that the RV got there. Service writers at the dealership were very good as well. They didn't get right on the coach when it got there, but I wasn't stranded beside the road, so it didn't matter that much.

The ammonia was a good tip. I may try moth balls first. Would be easier to deal with.

I get about 7.5 to 8 mpg on the road towing a 2004 Jeep Wrangler. Actually gas milage doesn't improve that much when I don't tow. Always seemed strange to me. My last RV was 29" and it got about the same mileage. Guess you might as well go big because the cost per mile doesn't change.

[padre44]

I was going to suggest that squirrels were the problem - trouble is finding where they chewed. I had them chew things twice in my truck. I just hold my breath every time I try to start the coach hoping they haven't done their dirty work there too.

[173dave]

Well, the dealer told me it would get 14 mpg. Thor says they have been getting reports of 6 to 8. Mine with 5,000 gets 5 to 6. I am getting ready to trade for a DP. Damon Astoria Pacific with 300 hp low torque engine. After reading posts here, I joined this yesterday, I am not sure I want that DP. I just asked the dealer what engine it has and he said he thinks it's a 5.9. If true, maybe I better get out of the deal. Any advise?