I own a 2007 S-crew w/5.4L 28,000 miles and a few weeks ago my check engine light came on. I stopped and checked my gas cap as my wife's car does this all the time when the cap is loose. I got back in the truck and the LCD screen said check gas cap after I tightened it(?) so I pulled into the nearest station and filled up and tightened the cap as per usual. I disconneted the battery when I got home but the light came back on in a few days. The company I work for has 60 Ford fleet vehicles so I booked the truck into the shop for a diagnosis. The results were - P0451 code and pinpoint tests indicated the fuel vent canister (part # CX-2128) was full of dirt and required replacement. They provided this in writing. I was quoted $700 Canadian for the part. Since I was going to Minnesota the next week I called a dealer in White Bear Lake and they said that I could get the part for $250. I thanked the local dealer for their time and said I'd replace the canister myself. They charged me $117.50 for their inspection and diagnosis. When I arrived at the dealer in MN they knocked off an additional $50 so now I'm into it for $317.00 and I changed the part myself. After a couple of days the light is back on so I just wasted time and money for nothing which is $500 less than if I had the local dealer do what they recommended first. I was thinking of buying a new gas cap to see if that would solve my problem. It might be the fuel tank pressure sensor but I don't trust the first dealer any more.
Any suggestions on what to do next?

 

I had something like this happen to me. They should do another test for FREE just show them you bought the part and replaced it. They should also take the part back or give you what part that needs to be replaced for FREE up to the price in just the part but not your time. But guess it depends on your dealer. Atleast you should go to the first dealer and get the $117.50 refund. Good Luck!

 

Aren't you still under warranty? I wouldn't be paying anything.........

 

I think the cannister is considered part of the emissions equiptment, and I think here in the states it is covered for like 5-7 years. You should look into that.

The P0451 is the pressure sensor switch-not the cannister.

I'd say some one has some splaining to do Lucy! Go for round 2 with the dealer and see how it comes out-just don'tagree to spend any money.

 

I asked about the emissions warranty but I was told it wasn't covered. The truck went off it's bumper to bumper warranty in February not because of mileage but time. I agree that I should call them to task on this without spending any more money. My wife told not to give them the truck either since they don't know what they're doing. There is another Ford dealer in my city. Would it be a good idea to just replace the gas cap and see how that goes first or am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

So you had the dealer troubleshoot it for you, then say you didn't want them to fix it and now your going back to them to complain. Am I missing something here. If they diagnosed it and would have replaced it you would have a leg to stand on. Troubleshooting continues after initial diagnosis.

That code only indicates that the evap pressure range is out of wack, which could mean the gas cap, purge canister, or any vacuum line in between. The cap should be cheap and the seals do go out on them. I would have replaced it or the seal first. You could possibly have more than one leak in the system.

 

The dealer diagnosis was that the vent cannister was plugged and needed replacement. The price they quoted for the part was $700. I bought the Ford OEM part for $200 from anothe dealer and replaced it myself. If I had the first dealer replace the part my bill would have been $900 and still not solved. My complaint is the mis-diagnosed problem. The dealer wouldn't have fixed anything and I'd be out more money. Tim what don't you understand?

 

Your mad that they didn't properly diagnose it. If they would have done the work then you could fight with them that they didn't fix anything. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame you for wanting to save $500. I would too, but the first shop never had a chance to find out if there was anything else wrong with the evap system.

What is the code that is being thrown now? Is it the same one?

Replace your cap. Thats the cheapest next step.

 

I'm not sure what code is coming up as I don't have a reader. I will be changing out the gas cap tomorrow which looking back should have been my first plan. I thought the dealer might have offered this up first since it was the least expensive and least complicated effort. I'm not sure how things work in other areas but here the dealer would just charge me for the parts and labor and keep going until the problem went away.

 

the dealer is going to laugh at you, i would too

if they diag it and you agree to the repairs and it doesnt fix it, its on them.

if they diag it, and you say "na ill fix it myself" and it doesnt fix it. its on you.

 

My company has 60 fleet vehicles which this dealer services. I paid for the diagnosis. I didn't say the dealer didn't fix the problem I said they didn't provide the right diagnosis. I'm sure that in Florida the dealers always make good on their promises and stand behind their work but sometimes they don't where I live.