service engine soon light
service engine soon light
I recently bought a 2003 Concourse with a Ford E350 V-10 engine. It has just turned 33000 miles. Shortly after gasing up for the third time, a service engine soon light came on. The manual said I might have got some bad gas or it might be an issue with the gas cap and after fueling a couple of times and a couple of cold starts the light might not come on. This didn't happen. I notice that there are three small lumps of what can best described as gum spaced out in a triangle under the gas cap which makes me wonder if this is somehow a previous fix. Any ideas???
Re: service engine soon light
One of the best investments you can make is called and ODB-II reader. Cheap ones at most auto parts stores are $50. You plug it in to the port under the dash, push a button, and it gives you the code which turned on the dash light. Much easier than driving your rig up to the parts store each time ot comes on.
Once you have the code, you just google "year make model code" and you'll find likely causes and fixes. Without the code you are just guessing.
You will quickly learn codes which can wait repair (emissions) and those whicj require immediate repair. Important info when on a trip. I keep mine in our console.
Head to the parts store with your rv, have them check the codes (most do it for free) and buy a gas cap and code reader. Let us know what codes you find and maybe we have repair knowledge we can share.
Once you have the code, you just google "year make model code" and you'll find likely causes and fixes. Without the code you are just guessing.
You will quickly learn codes which can wait repair (emissions) and those whicj require immediate repair. Important info when on a trip. I keep mine in our console.
Head to the parts store with your rv, have them check the codes (most do it for free) and buy a gas cap and code reader. Let us know what codes you find and maybe we have repair knowledge we can share.
1997 Chinook Concourse, over 200,000 Miles
Re: service engine soon light
..
Last edited by b6fischer on May 2nd, 2018, 11:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
1997 Chinook Concourse, over 200,000 Miles
Re: service engine soon light
I had an issue with my 2004 Premier E-350 Super Duty V10 involving the check-engine light while on a trip in Canada. Based on reading, I too thought it was "bad gas." After a while it would go out...then come back on again. Later, when back traveling in the states, I took it to a Ford Dealer in Warrren OH, who ran the codes, put it on the lift, and found that it was actually a minor leak in the aux-generator gas line that comes off the gas tank. Not a cheap fix, but once done, I have had no problems since (nearly two years now).
David
David
Re: service engine soon light
I had a check engine light on my 2004 Premier V10 with 24K miles on it and it was finally diagnosed as a bad #5 spark plug. A search of the engine section of the forum will give you the details.
Steve aka SMan
2004 Premier V10
2004 Premier V10
Re: service engine soon light
Welcome! And congrats on your new Chinook!
BTW, just for your information, the engine is the V-10 (also known as the 6.8 liter). The E-350 part refers to body style and how heavy the chassis is (in this case, "E" stands for van type body, and "350" means one-ton; F would be truck and 250 would be 3/4 ton, etc.).
I agree on getting your own code reader. It can be really helpful. For one thing, some codes aren't "run right in and fix it NOW" type ones, and for those, some information gathering can be helpful. "It comes on every time I accelerate under load" might mean a vacuum leak, for example. (You can clear the codes yourself then see if they come back, and/or when/under what circumstances.) I just think it's great to have the power to see the codes. You can look up what any of them mean on the Internet, and then if you are the type who likes to noodle a problem yourself (or before taking it in) you can easily find discussions on Ford Truck forum or etc. by using a specific code in your search.
But what I would suggest is buying a gauge that also reads codes vs. only a code reader. I have a Scan Gauge II and absolutely love it. It shows four "gauge" positions at all times. I monitor transmission fluid temperature and engine (coolant) temp always; then add one of either voltage (alternator), MPG, average MPG, or whatever else I feel like for the second two.
As a "side bonus" it reads the codes and you can dismiss or save them. It's easy to set up and mindless after that. Just plugs into the OBD port (which I believe will be on any chassis 1996 or newer).
There are other gauges that do similar things. For example the Ultra Gauge. It's actually fancier and cheaper than the Scan Gauge II. I prefer the SGII, but that's subjective. Main thing I'd say is "get one!" Just knowing engine coolant temp and transmission temp is huge, IMO. You get precise numbers not just compensated needles or idiot lights.
BG
PS: I made a thread on the Scan Gauge II a few years ago if you want to see more about it, including pics on the dash.
BTW, just for your information, the engine is the V-10 (also known as the 6.8 liter). The E-350 part refers to body style and how heavy the chassis is (in this case, "E" stands for van type body, and "350" means one-ton; F would be truck and 250 would be 3/4 ton, etc.).
I agree on getting your own code reader. It can be really helpful. For one thing, some codes aren't "run right in and fix it NOW" type ones, and for those, some information gathering can be helpful. "It comes on every time I accelerate under load" might mean a vacuum leak, for example. (You can clear the codes yourself then see if they come back, and/or when/under what circumstances.) I just think it's great to have the power to see the codes. You can look up what any of them mean on the Internet, and then if you are the type who likes to noodle a problem yourself (or before taking it in) you can easily find discussions on Ford Truck forum or etc. by using a specific code in your search.
But what I would suggest is buying a gauge that also reads codes vs. only a code reader. I have a Scan Gauge II and absolutely love it. It shows four "gauge" positions at all times. I monitor transmission fluid temperature and engine (coolant) temp always; then add one of either voltage (alternator), MPG, average MPG, or whatever else I feel like for the second two.
As a "side bonus" it reads the codes and you can dismiss or save them. It's easy to set up and mindless after that. Just plugs into the OBD port (which I believe will be on any chassis 1996 or newer).
There are other gauges that do similar things. For example the Ultra Gauge. It's actually fancier and cheaper than the Scan Gauge II. I prefer the SGII, but that's subjective. Main thing I'd say is "get one!" Just knowing engine coolant temp and transmission temp is huge, IMO. You get precise numbers not just compensated needles or idiot lights.
BG
PS: I made a thread on the Scan Gauge II a few years ago if you want to see more about it, including pics on the dash.
1999 Concourse
Re: service engine soon light
Thanks the guys. The light has gone out by itself. I appreciate the answers. I intend to get a code reader as it sounds like a good investment
Thanks again
Thanks again