Ford Super Duty Owner Gets Refund After Diesel Pickup Grows Afterburner

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

If the dome light in Shelley Shields’ Ford F-450 Super Duty stopped working, she could easily have read a book by the hellish glow emanating from underneath her pickup.

The Cochrane, Alberta driver returned the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel-powered vehicle shortly after purchase after noticing flames shooting from the tailpipe and the exhaust glowing like a certain part of Amsterdam, Truck Trend reports.

Photos posted to Shield’s Facebook page show the situation underneath — and behind — the pickup. Great for melting driveway ice, but definitely unsettling for the owner.

When Shields contacted Ford Canada for a fix, the automaker referred her back to her dealer. Luckily for Shields, the folks at Carstairs Ford didn’t take her for a ride. They offered to take back the vehicle and handed Shields a full refund.

While the owner walked away happy and no neighborhood cats found themselves toasted, the cause of the Ford’s red-hot pipe had forum posters wondering if the truck’s original equipment was to blame. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke’s 6.4-liter predecessor was once recalled for diesel particulate filter overheating, but the automaker claims this glowing Super Duty is a one-off.

In a statement, Ford North American Trucks and Commercial Vehicles Communications Manager Jiyan Cadiz claims the problem doesn’t stem from the factory.

“We have completed our initial investigation into the Super Duty in Canada and have determined it was caused by an incorrect repair after the truck was produced,” said Cadiz. “We are not aware of any other incidents, and we are taking action to prevent this from happening in the future. In this unique case, the customer returned the affected truck and received a refund.”

“Incorrect repair” is plenty vague, but Ford forum posters claim they know the real cause. Diesel fuel poured into the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank during the pre-delivery inspection gets the blame, though it can’t be confirmed. If a technician did make such a whoopsies, it would essentially turn the exhaust system into an afterburner.

[Images: Facebook]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Dukeisduke Dukeisduke on Oct 25, 2016

    This story showed up on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts (FTE) site recently, but they didn't have an explanation of the cause; just some vague statement from Ford that there would be a three month wait to get the truck fixed.

  • PRNDLOL PRNDLOL on Oct 25, 2016

    Hey watch the paint job!

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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