Local news channel (WCYB Channel 5) ran a story on the news how local Life Saving and Ambulance crews are having major problems with Ford Ambulances powered by the Powerstroke 6.0L Diesel Engine. They have lost all confidence in these vehicles. One in particular said to be a year and a half or so old should have approximately 18,000 miles and only has 9,000 due to it being in the repair shop so often. One caught fire and others have issues as well. From now on when one breaks down it will be replaced with another brand or a gasoline powered ambulance. The news channel contacted the local area rep for Ford (gave his name but can't remember now). He stated that Ford was aware of the problem blah blah blah. The news guy ended the segment by saying that Ford's answer to the problem was by coming out with a new more powerful and reliable engine that will replace the faulty 6.0L.

My big problem is this. The Washington County Life Saving Crew is a county entity and will use "MY" tax dollars to replace the faulty Ford's at approximately $125,000-150,000 each! The Ambulance services are county subsidized so we'll feel that as well.

Ford's blunders don't just stop at the average non informed consumer. They hurt everyone!

I've been looking at the WCYB site to see if they have posted an on-line version of the story but they haven't yet.

 

Great...6.no effecting me even though I chose against purchasing one because I already knew they were crap...what a crock. They (Ford) should have thought their product through a little more before they released that 6.0, now from what I am hearing, they are rushing the 6.4 replacement as well...oh well, glad I drive a Cummins

Derek

 

I came to this conclusion

after my IDI, glow plugs, relays, starters, batteries, alternators, plugged in to start at 50 degrees or below, Forget it, the 7.3 in 02-03 was a kick *** engine for a powerstroke, but since the 6.0, well it was the end of a potential diesel era for ford IMHO.. I got a cummins and I aint looked back since, and im contemplating a third gen within the next year or two, or will it be fourth gen?

Rick

 

They should dump Ford all together and get a real truck like a freightliner (as much as I dislike them). At least then you can get heavier duty options such as a real engine (Cat\Cummins) and a better transmission.

I haven't paid much attention but does IH have as many problems with the VT-365? What I'm asking is the engine completely junk or is it somthing Ford did to screw it up?

 

Every day, I drive by a large auto salvage yard and someone there has been messing with a fairly new ('04?) Ford ambulance for ~2 - 3months now. They virtually keep the forklift in front of it for R&R'ing the engine and heavy stuff. Since the 1st initial engine R&R attempt, it looks like they've still got all the crap off of the engine.. It hasn't moved yet.
It doesn't look like any local municipality's unit. (a Big Green and White box). I haven't gotten close enough to it to read any decals on the door from the angle it is parked at...
I guess someone bought it at some municipal auction thinking they could "fix" it and resell it... Too bad, as the "business" end of it (ambulance part) really looks to be in pristine shape!

K.

 

Hey, that's my news! I live in Kingsport.

 

IH doesn't have any problems with the engine. Who knows what magic ford put on the 6 oh haha.

They aren't rushing the 6.4 into action either, spy photos were released back in early 04 of a 6.4 on the dyno so it's been tested for awhile.

 

Yeah, but Ford didn't design the 6.no early in '03 when they were still running the 7.3 option, then drop them in the late model trucks...they "designed" it for years prior I'm sure, as well...and we have seen the outcome of that "design"

Derek

 

A lot of ford's problems with the 6.0 are related to pushig it into production before all the details are worked out.

Their other problem is rushing the emissions cert & just gluing everything together & not working out details.

hmm....rushing?????

Tony

 

I was the victim of a 6.0L.They had turbo issues and EGR issues...and now they are gonna add another turbo and more EGR's..I hope they get it together this time.

 

That's what our local ambulance outfit did. The firechief went on record saying that the lightduty Fords just weren't up to the task, could only haul 1 patient and 2 paramedics at a time, and needed replacing every 75,000 miles or so. They went Freightliner and claim that they can get 300,000 miles +, justifying the extra cost.

(They sure look weird though scootin' through town with the lights flashin' and the sirens blaring.)

 

Using a F**d for an ambulance is like driving a Pinto in the demolition derby

.... it ain't a question of if - it's when?

 

I saw that last night too, where are you located RC51???? I'm in Chilhowie, Va, a few miles north of Bristol, Dusty

 

Just outside Abingdon goin toward South Holston Lake.

 

Being lucky enough to live in city which has a full time EMS service and be a police officer in that town as well I've had many converstations with the EMS personel on this very issue. Plus their supervisor rigs/mass casuality vehicles will get the thumbs up from everyone on this site. I have links at the end of this post for photos. Definately check them out.

The EMS service here went the freighliner route as well. The rigs are very nice and roomy inside which is good for combative patients (Less injuries to officers, medics and patient). The rigs are fully decked out with a system that limits top speed to 60mph to prevent problems with speeding a large heavy air-braked ambulance through a hilly city. The system also has a neat key fob thingy that they can take out and leave the rig running while on scene. When the fob is removed, it only allows the Rig to Idle and can't be put into gear.

They also have the air suspension that allows the rear end to drop about 6-8" for eaiser loading, unloading. Over all, they have more outlived the old fords they had three times over and are still running quite well. The biggest ememy is accidents, not mechanical failures. They also have a 2005 American LaFrance Type I AD and 3 199X's vintage Freightliner rigs as well.

Over all, any EMS service that runs 24/7/365 on more than 1 or 2 calls a day are probally nuts to not go the medium duty route.

As promised her are some photos.

Freightliner/ 2003 American LaFrance Type I AD
http://www.nbems.org/medic26page1.htm

Best supervisor/mass casuality rig out there, 2005, Ram 2500 Cummins!
http://www.nbems.org/medic13page1.htm

For the second Gen Guys, 1997, Ram 2500 Extended Cab Cummins!!
http://www.nbems.org/medic14page3.htm

Sorry for the long winded post, its just funny that i've had this very conversation many times over. I could start an entire forum based on my conversations with the local towing companies, so I won't even go down that rocky road!

Mike