HELP! Heater connector on fuel filter assembly spewing fuel!

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:49 pm

I took the CRD to a local mechanic to do it's 30k mile service. The mechanic discovered that the heater connector was spewing fuel and that the tip of the connector had been burnt. He stopped work and gave me a call because it's a warranty issue. He said he tried to prime the system and that's when he discovered that is was spewing fuel. I guess he was checking it's integrity. He buttoned the thing back up and gave me the new fuel filter that he was going the replace to old one with.

So, I called the dealer. The dealer tells me that they will not fix the problem under warranty because I didn't have them do the work. Their claim is that my mechanic caused the problem and therefore it's not covered. Of course they said I could call DCX customer service, but they will tell me the same thing. However, I know that this is a known issue. Many folks here have reported the same thing. It may help me fight DCX if I had a list of folks that have experienced the same problem. I suspect that I'm going to have a fight on my hands and it might be helpful if I could provide a list of folks that are experiencing the same issue. This might be able to serve as proof that my mechanic did not cause this problem and that there is a problem with this part.

If memory serves, I recall some have reported this issue to the NHTSA. If so where do I find the complaints that have been register on this issue? This information might also help in proving it's a known issue and wasn't something caused by my mechanic.

Boy has this been a night to remember....

I hadn't got more than a block away from my mechanic's shop and the CRD stopped running right there in the middle of the road (heavy traffic too - joy!). Unfortunately, I had to coordinate a ride from a friend and the shop had long since closed by the time I got there to pick up the CRD. Anyway, I was stopped waiting for the light to change - so I didn't have any momentum to pull if off the road. Nobody would help to give me a push. I had to call the police to give me an assist. Then it took the tow truck and hour and 45 minutes to get to me. The tow truck guy hopped into vehicle and turned the key to put in neutral. He left the key on and within a minute smoke was rolling out from under the hood. I thought the thing was going to catch on fire. I jump in the vehicle, turned off the key, popped the hood, and pull the heater plug off (which was where all the smoke was coming from).

Boy I’m PO'ed… especially with my dealer’s response....

When it came time to buy, I was deciding between a F-150 and the CRD. Today I wish I went with the F-150.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:11 pm

..you would have gotten the same response from Ford.

This part seems to be a very fragile part. In changing my fuel filter a few weeks back, the bleeder screw wouldn't seal. Everytime I closed it, I closed it the same tightness, about 3 times into it, it broke.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:12 pm

Was it running fine before you took it to your mechanic?

I know we have had issues with the heat sensor, but it seems a bit suspicious that a mechanic would prime the system before he started work and that you had not noticed any problem previous to this.

You probably should just take it to a different dealer and not say anything about the mechanic.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:25 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

Was it running fine before you took it to your mechanic?

I know we have had issues with the heat sensor, but it seems a bit suspicious that a mechanic would prime the system before he started work and that you had not noticed any problem previous to this.

You probably should just take it to a different dealer and not say anything about the mechanic.

Yes it was running ok when I took it to the mechanic. I could take it to another dealer. But that is problematic because it's not running and sitting in my mechanic's lot. Do you think that the mechanic could have caused this? I know others have had this same problem so I wasn't surprised when the mechanic told me about it. If you were going to bleed the system you would have to prime it first right? Should priming they system cause fuel to start spewing out? That doesn't seem right to me. I don't remember exactly what my mechanic said - something to the effect that he was checking they system out to verify that it was priming/pressurizing right and didn't have a problem.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:27 pm

So far I've only been able to find one complaint on the NHTSA website concerning this issue. I was hoping to find more...

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:31 pm

Mine and RFCRD's did the same thing about the same time. At that time I asked for and didn't get a sticky. I think this will eventually prove to be somewhat of a common problem.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:34 pm

T^2 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Was it running fine before you took it to your mechanic?

I know we have had issues with the heat sensor, but it seems a bit suspicious that a mechanic would prime the system before he started work and that you had not noticed any problem previous to this.

You probably should just take it to a different dealer and not say anything about the mechanic.

Yes it was running ok when I took it to the mechanic. I could take it to another dealer. But that is problematic because it's not running and sitting in my mechanic's lot. Do you think that the mechanic could have caused this? I know others have had this same problem so I wasn't surprised when the mechanic told me about it. If you were going to bleed the system you would have to prime it first right? Should priming they system cause fuel to start spewing out? That doesn't seem right to me. I don't remember exactly what my mechanic said - something to the effect that he was checking they system out to verify that it was priming/pressurizing right and didn't have a problem.

Hate to tell you this but you need to raise some holy Hell with DCX. This is a warrantied, fixed appliance on the vehicle that should be duriable enough to accept normal service such as a filter replacement without damage. Mine broke the same way, incidently noticed it right after the dealer changed my fuel filter. Also, don't forget to file a complaint with NHTSA.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:56 pm

T^2 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Was it running fine before you took it to your mechanic?

I know we have had issues with the heat sensor, but it seems a bit suspicious that a mechanic would prime the system before he started work and that you had not noticed any problem previous to this.

You probably should just take it to a different dealer and not say anything about the mechanic.

Yes it was running ok when I took it to the mechanic. I could take it to another dealer. But that is problematic because it's not running and sitting in my mechanic's lot. Do you think that the mechanic could have caused this? I know others have had this same problem so I wasn't surprised when the mechanic told me about it. If you were going to bleed the system you would have to prime it first right? Should priming they system cause fuel to start spewing out? That doesn't seem right to me. I don't remember exactly what my mechanic said - something to the effect that he was checking they system out to verify that it was priming/pressurizing right and didn't have a problem.

Just seems suspect. If he primed it and it leaked he should have stopped there...how did he know that the heater sensor was burned...sounds like he started the work and something went wrong. Now it is not running but it was running fine prior to falling into the mechanics hands? If he found the leak and did nothing else, you probably could have still driven it to a dealer. When you called the dealer, did you give a name/vin #? If not, call your own wrecker or pull it to a better spot and see where the warranty will tow your vehicle.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:17 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

T^2 wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

Was it running fine before you took it to your mechanic?

I know we have had issues with the heat sensor, but it seems a bit suspicious that a mechanic would prime the system before he started work and that you had not noticed any problem previous to this.

You probably should just take it to a different dealer and not say anything about the mechanic.

Yes it was running ok when I took it to the mechanic. I could take it to another dealer. But that is problematic because it's not running and sitting in my mechanic's lot. Do you think that the mechanic could have caused this? I know others have had this same problem so I wasn't surprised when the mechanic told me about it. If you were going to bleed the system you would have to prime it first right? Should priming they system cause fuel to start spewing out? That doesn't seem right to me. I don't remember exactly what my mechanic said - something to the effect that he was checking they system out to verify that it was priming/pressurizing right and didn't have a problem.

Just seems suspect. If he primed it and it leaked he should have stopped there...

He did...

Quote:

how did he know that the heater sensor was burned...

He pulled the connector off after it spewed fuel to see what was going on. He said he looked at the connector and discovered that it was burnt. This suggest that this was on ongoing problem.

Quote:

...sounds like he started the work and something went wrong. Now it is not running but it was running fine prior to falling into the mechanics hands? If he found the leak and did nothing else, you probably could have still driven it to a dealer.

Maybe... Maybe not... I can tell you that I tried to prime it when I was waiting for the tow truck. It won't accept any pressure. It just spews fuel.

Quote:

When you called the dealer, did you give a name/vin #? If not, call your own wrecker or pull it to a better spot and see where the warranty will tow your vehicle.

I'll have to deal with that tomorrow. It was late and I just wanted to get home.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:20 pm

Complaint filed with NHTSA.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

The fuel filter heater plug runs extremely hot, especially right near the wires. I discovered this when I spilled a little (very little, just enough to run around the rim and slightly into the fuel heater plug) diesel down the fuel filter head when bleeding air after a filter change. During a test drive, I smelled diesel smoke - badly from the dash area. Pulled into the driveway, popped the hood and saw diesel smoke boiling up right from the heater plug.

When I pulled the electrical plug, it was so hot that the plastic insulation on the wires were soft - almost to the melting point. I cleaned out the diesel off and dried the recess with cloths and used some intake cleaner to clean the plug. After that, the plug ran hot, but not hot enough to melt the wires. I don't know if diesel is conductive or not, but it sure ran hotter with diesel on the plug. The end of the fuel heater electrical plug was yellow brown with heat discoloration. At first I thought the fuel port was leaking, but it turned out not to be the case.

Not surprised to hear about this due to several others having leaks and other issues. My suggestion is to pursue Chrysler on this unless you find physical damage to the fuel head. In the meantime, spare yourself some grief, buy a new fuel head and replace it yourself if you can. If you get Chrysler to come through, let them change out the old one - you'll have a spare for the future. I think you may need it if you keep it for a few years.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:47 pm

Ranger1 wrote:

The fuel filter heater plug runs extremely hot, especially right near the wires. I discovered this when I spilled a little (very little, just enough to run around the rim and slightly into the fuel heater plug) diesel down the fuel filter head when bleeding air after a filter change. During a test drive, I smelled diesel smoke - badly from the dash area. Pulled into the driveway, popped the hood and saw diesel smoke boiling up right from the heater plug.

When I pulled the electrical plug, it was so hot that the plastic insulation on the wires were soft - almost to the melting point. I cleaned out the diesel off and dried the recess with cloths and used some intake cleaner to clean the plug. After that, the plug ran hot, but not hot enough to melt the wires. I don't know if diesel is conductive or not, but it sure ran hotter with diesel on the plug. The end of the fuel heater electrical plug was yellow brown with heat discoloration. At first I thought the fuel port was leaking, but it turned out not to be the case.

Not surprised to hear about this due to several others having leaks and other issues.

If it was designed correctly, it shouldn't be hot.

Endurance · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:48 pm

They have to fix it under warranty. The fuel filter is an item that needs to be serviced. Its against the law to void the warranty because normal service procedures weren't performed by the dealer.

Something to read:

http://www.widickdiesel.com/voidwarranty.htm

http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?ID=8124

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Quote:

If it was designed correctly, it shouldn't be hot.

And torque converters, glow plugs and egr valves shouldn't be dying in 5 months to a year either, but it seems to be Chrysler lot in life these days to have some early component failures. Either the heater element is going out and pulling too much current, or they sized the wire incorrectly. It happens.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:54 pm

Endurance wrote:

They have to fix it under warranty. The fuel filter is an item that needs to be serviced. Its against the law to void the warranty because normal service procedures weren't performed by the dealer.

I told the dealer the same thing... that they couldn't void the warranty in this case because somebody else was doing to routine service work. They blew that arguement off saying that if they inspected it and it appeared that my mechanic caused the issue, then it was my tough luck. Basically, the service writer implied that no matter what, if somebody else has done the work then they are going to declare that it was caused by this other party and not warranty the item.

T^2 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:56 pm

Endurance wrote:

They have to fix it under warranty. The fuel filter is an item that needs to be serviced. Its against the law to void the warranty because normal service procedures weren't performed by the dealer.

I told the dealer the same thing... that they couldn't void the warranty in this case because somebody else was doing to routine service work. They blew that arguement off saying that if they inspected it and it appeared that my mechanic caused the issue, then it was my tough luck. Basically, the service writer implied that no matter what, if somebody else has done the work then they are going to declare that it was caused by this other party and not warranty the item.

Endurance · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:04 am

T^2 wrote:

Endurance wrote:

They have to fix it under warranty. The fuel filter is an item that needs to be serviced. Its against the law to void the warranty because normal service procedures weren't performed by the dealer.

I told the dealer the same thing... that they couldn't void the warranty in this case because somebody else was doing to routine service work. They blew that arguement off saying that if they inspected it and it appeared that my mechanic caused the issue, then it was my tough luck. Basically, the service writer implied that no matter what, if somebody else has done the work then they are going to declare that it was caused by this other party and not warranty the item.

Clearly against the law, big time. I cant find the passage in Magnus-Moss Warranty Act, but it basically says a manufacturer cant deny warranty claims because routine maintenance work was performed by a non authorized dealer. Even if the mechanic caused the failure, they still jave to prove it, and that could be a little difficult considering it was already melting/burning.

T^2 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:42 am

Here are the relevant sections and subparagraphs of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act;

Section 2302. Rules governing contents of warranties

(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if -

(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and

(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest. The Commission shall identify in the Federal Register, and permit public comment on, all applications for waiver of the prohibition of this subsection, and shall publish in the Federal Register its disposition of any such application, including the reasons therefor.

Section 2304. Federal minimum standards for warranties

(c) Waiver of standards
The performance of the duties under subsection (a) of this section shall not be required of the warrantor if he can show that the defect, malfunction, or failure of any warranted consumer product to conform with a written warranty, was caused by damage (not resulting from defect or malfunction) while in the possession of the consumer, or unreasonable use (including failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance).

Pablo · **Joined:** Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm **Posts:** 1201

T^2 wrote:

I took the CRD to a local mechanic to do it's 30k mile service. The mechanic discovered that the heater connector was spewing fuel and that the tip of the connector had been burnt. He stopped work and gave me a call because it's a warranty issue. He said he tried to prime the system and that's when he discovered that is was spewing fuel. I guess he was checking it's integrity. He buttoned the thing back up and gave me the new fuel filter that he was going the replace to old one with.

So, I called the dealer. The dealer tells me that they will not fix the problem under warranty because I didn't have them do the work. Their claim is that my mechanic caused the problem and therefore it's not covered. Of course they said I could call DCX customer service, but they will tell me the same thing. However, I know that this is a known issue. Many folks here have reported the same thing. It may help me fight DCX if I had a list of folks that have experienced the same problem. I suspect that I'm going to have a fight on my hands and it might be helpful if I could provide a list of folks that are experiencing the same issue. This might be able to serve as proof that my mechanic did not cause this problem and that there is a problem with this part.

If memory serves, I recall some have reported this issue to the NHTSA. If so where do I find the complaints that have been register on this issue? This information might also help in proving it's a known issue and wasn't something caused by my mechanic.

Boy has this been a night to remember....

I hadn't got more than a block away from my mechanic's shop and the CRD stopped running right there in the middle of the road (heavy traffic too - joy!). Unfortunately, I had to coordinate a ride from a friend and the shop had long since closed by the time I got there to pick up the CRD. Anyway, I was stopped waiting for the light to change - so I didn't have any momentum to pull if off the road. Nobody would help to give me a push. I had to call the police to give me an assist. Then it took the tow truck and hour and 45 minutes to get to me. The tow truck guy hopped into vehicle and turned the key to put in neutral. He left the key on and within a minute smoke was rolling out from under the hood. I thought the thing was going to catch on fire. I jump in the vehicle, turned off the key, popped the hood, and pull the heater plug off (which was where all the smoke was coming from).

Boy I’m PO'ed… especially with my dealer’s response....

When it came time to buy, I was deciding between a F-150 and the CRD. Today I wish I went with the F-150.

Steps to happ"i"ness:

1. Start Motor and drive it until smoke. (If you have baby car seat-- install it first. Even better let wife drive.)

2. Get out and walk away. Take wife with you if applicable, or leave her in CRD if you really don't like her.

3. Call fire department. (Have wife cry when they show up. If wife still in vehicle, you cry. Take picture of burning baby seat).

4. Call insurance company.

5. Call attorney and have them talk to insurance company attorney. Call attorney general and news media. Show news media pictures of burning baby seat, crying wife.

6. Lawsuit settled out of court.

7. Retire with lots of $$$$

Oh, can I have the name of the dealer you went to? I may need to visit them with a similar problem...

T^2 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:46 am

I was reading about Ford's electrical fire issue that was caused by a cruise control deactivation switch. This issue caused several deaths and fires (vehicles in garages catching house on fire).

The interesting thing I noted in the story was this:

Quote:

In November 2004, NHTSA opened another investigation into the switches after getting 36 complaints of engine fires in Ford trucks and SUVs.

Apparently it doesn't take that many complaints to get the NHTSA to spring into action.

HELP! Heater connector on fuel filter assembly spewing fuel!

Who is online