Check engine light

jjlavin · 01-08-2016, 07:48 AM

I'm currently returning home from a trip to Florida... back to PA. I have a 2015 3010DS. The check engine light just popped on. What are the potential causes for that? I'm over mileage for an oil change... could that do it? I hit my 3k miles in Florida and didn't want to change oil in the rv park. Hope that's it. Only 13k miles on this baby!

georgew48 · 01-08-2016, 07:55 AM

Check your gas cap and make sure it is tight.

jjlavin · 01-08-2016, 07:58 AM

Lol. Ok. Maybe I should've given more info. I lost my gas cap during the trip and bought some after market cap at Walmart. It "fits" but it ain't the same. So the gas cap light is also on. So the two are most likely connected?

**Bama Rambler** · 01-08-2016, 07:59 AM

#1 reason in gasoline engines for the MIL to illuminate is loose fuel cap.

Most local auto parts stores can read the codes if you want to know what it is.

Oaklevel · 01-08-2016, 08:28 AM

Loose gas cap is often the cause but go to a auto parts store that offers free code check......... Usually, if not that, it is something with the emissions system........ Depending what it is you can probably get it fixed when you get home but I did say probably..............

Now around here I thought they were supposed to be on

one of our cars has been on for over two years............. But as I mentioned, depends on what it is.........

Good Luck..........

jjlavin · 01-08-2016, 10:11 AM

That fixed it! You guys are the best... thx

ericlakin · 01-08-2016, 11:40 AM

3k mile oil changes? Is that the recommended interval? I can't image that's correct.

jjlavin · 01-08-2016, 12:24 PM

That's what the dealer said. The manual days the same. Why... what do you do?

Sagecoachdriver · 01-08-2016, 12:28 PM

jjlavin, I bought a Scangauge for that very reason, as it has an OBDII code reader w/ erase feature It will give you the Check Engine trouble code and you can easily check the corresponding code problem online. Plus if you have the Ford chassis, there is a function for transmission temperature along with dozens of others.
Glad you resolved the issue without too much expense.

Still Kickin · 01-08-2016, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjlavin

Lol. Ok. Maybe I should've given more info. I lost my gas cap during the trip and bought some after market cap at Walmart. It "fits" but it ain't the same. So the gas cap light is also on. So the two are most likely connected?

Buy a OEM replacement gas cap. Buy a OBDII code reader w/ erase feature. Over the long run you will be ahead $ wise. I say that because a shop will charge upwards of $100 bucks just to reset, if it doesn't reset itself after going through the checking sequences during operation. Cheapest way out is buy the OEM gas cap and drive enough so the ECM can self reset.

Oops! Looks like it self corrected.

RamblerGuy · 01-08-2016, 01:14 PM

Soon after we got our Sunseeker, I bought a locking gas cap from NAPA. If you have to buy a gas cap anyway, you could get one that locks. It's a standard cap for a Ford.

ericlakin · 01-08-2016, 03:20 PM

Well when we were looking at gas RVs on the Ford chassis last year they said 7500 miles between oil changes. The our diesel Sunseeker says 20k miles between changes. I won't wait that long, but I though the 3k thing ended years ago. Perhaps not though.

georgew48 · 01-08-2016, 04:09 PM

The 2015 Ford F53 owners manual says 7500 miles unless you tow with it then it's 5000 miles. Both say 6 months if you don't reach the mileage.

RamblerGuy · 01-08-2016, 06:07 PM

I agree with ericlakin. The owner's guide says to change oil at 5000 miles for severe service. The guide covers all Econolines from E150's hauling a few flowers to E450's hauling 32 foot Class C's and towing a load. 7500 mile oil changes would be fine for an E150 hauling flowers.

RamblerGuy · 01-08-2016, 06:11 PM

I still change oil in our cars every 3000 miles, but they do a lot of short trips. I change it in my old car annually, sometimes with only 1000 miles on the oil.

Boso · 01-08-2016, 07:35 PM

I don't think oil changes at 3k exist anymore,my last two trucks recommended 10k unless heavy hauling or dusty conditions then it dropped down to 5k. Changed new e450 at 5k just because year was up. Both trucks were new,08 f250 and 2011 f150 ecoboost

Kenny kustom · 01-08-2016, 07:38 PM

I ignore milage, and change at 50% on the oil life monitor.
Fuel filters every second.
Full synthetic in everything.

Milage doesn't account for idle time.
I idle my vehicles, and have no problem doing it.
I don't keep them long enough to care.

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

Delco Bobby · 01-10-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgew48

Check your gas cap and make sure it is tight.

X2

funfinder5 · 01-11-2016, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

I ignore milage, and change at 50% on the oil life monitor.
Fuel filters every second.
Full synthetic in everything.

Milage doesn't account for idle time.
I idle my vehicles, and have no problem doing it.
I don't keep them long enough to care.

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I don't get your statement about not keeping them long enough to care. A person who changes their oil at 50% life, fuel filters every other change (equal to fuel filter every oil change for the rest of us), and uses full synthetic... That's not my definition of someone who doesn't care!

BTW, the Cummins computer does account for engine idle hours for percent of oil life remaining.

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