Engine cuts out while driving

Piccolo · 09-13-2014, 04:05 PM

Hi everyone -
I hope someone can help shed some light on a situation that happened to myself and husband yesterday.

We are owners of a new 2014 Forest River Sunseeker purchased in Feb 2014. We have only taken it out a hand full of times. Yesterday while driving on the freeway, approx 55-60 miles per hour, the engine suddenly cut out. All the warning lights lit up the dashboard then then everything stopped. Electricity still seemed to work (radio working, lights still turn on/off), but the engine just stopped. Husband would notice that the engine would drop power very slightly which is the only indication that he had that something was happening. After turning off the ignition, for a few seconds, the engine would start again only to shut off again after a mile. This happened 10 times while trying to get to an offramp. Thankfully we were close to a Ford dealership but their diagnostic tests show that it was not related to the engine.

Has anyone else heard of this problem? Thankfully we're still under warranty but we now have to figure out how to tow our car back to the RV dealership where we purchased it to see if they can diagnose and find the problem.

Any information you can provide would be great!

Thanks in advance.

RamblerGuy · 09-13-2014, 06:35 PM

It's a Ford problem, not a Forest River problem. Ford has to fix it. Don't let them off the hook. Maybe your dealer van push the Ford dealer.

RamblerGuy · 09-13-2014, 07:02 PM

This is a long shot but did you by any chance fill up with E85 shortly before it quit? The V10 is not designed for it.

VinceU · 09-13-2014, 07:18 PM

Only thing I can come up with is this . It happened to a car I had also. My engine would cut out like that till it died completely. Problem was bad battery, would short out and drag the alt current with it. Hint final failure came just after crashing into a deep pothole. Changed battery, everything was fine. May not be your problem but without a doubt it is a Ford fault. Don't waste your money at a FR dealer, insist Ford do some old fashioned troubleshooting, small int. fault may not show on computers

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wesslvm · 09-13-2014, 07:44 PM

Agree with making Ford fix it, definitely NOT a FR issue.

Wes

2014 Sunseeker 3050S

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RamblerGuy · 09-14-2014, 05:38 AM

Call the Ford Motorhome Assistance number, 800-444-3311. I think they are available 24 hours, 7 days. They should be able to get the dealer motivated. The automated answering machine will first ask if you need a tow. Do not use that option. Continue to the option that lets you speak with someone.

Again, it is a Ford problem. The things that Forest River does to the powertrain when they stretch the chassis are adding a driveshaft, extending brake lines, exhaust pipe, gas lines and fuel pump wiring. Here's a possibility: there could be a loose connection or bad wire going to the fuel pump, which is in the gas tank. A good mechanic would find that when he checks for fuel flow.

rana · 09-14-2014, 05:56 AM

You mentioned it would drop power prior to cutting out? I'm sure Ford will check over the usual culprits, but here's an odd ball one often overlooked. You might ask how close the fuel line is to the exhaust system. (which "could" be a FR issue when they extended the fuel line)

Reason being. I've run across a couple of times when the fuel line is placed too close to the exhaust system (or visa versa). It becomes overheated and starts to form air bubbles in your fuel line. Typical behavior is loss of power then engine cut off. Just a thought.

RamblerGuy · 09-14-2014, 07:56 AM

Exhaust heat on gas line could be the problem but the gas lines are on the left frame rail and exhaust pipe is in the right side. If the gas line is too close it's near the engine where Forest River made no changes.

RamblerGuy · 11-15-2014, 06:44 AM

Piccolo,

Did you get your Sunseeker fixed? What was the problem?

caper · 11-15-2014, 09:04 AM

We had the same problem with a car and it was water in the gas or should I say gas in the water. We filled up when they were filling the main tanks at the station. Were told that when they are getting the tanks filled all the water and dirt in the tanks are churned up and if you are filling your own tank you get all the junk from the underground tanks. This might not be the problem but another item to look at.

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