I debated posting this as I don't have all the information yet. Truck is 2017 Limited with 3.5 TT, 85K. Yesterday morning I punched it at an intersection to beat an oncoming car. As I cleared the intersection it immediately began running extremely sluggish and CEL came on. I was utterly shocked when this happened. As I was trying to grasp what was happening and I knew it was serious as I could smell fuel.

As I approached the next red light I thought a key cycle would cure the problem. That was almost a huge mistake. It barely restarted and I could see blue smoke from the exhaust. At this point I switched transmission to M to try to find an rpm I could travel at. I reached my destination which was only about a mile away. I shut off the vehicle and took care of my business at that location.

When I returned to the vehicle it would crank but no ignition. I could smell fuel heavily. I then had it towed to my trusted mechanic. Since it was Friday I knew a diagnosis was a stretch. Late in the day he called and said it's a stuck fuel injector. I'll know more Monday and I apologize that I don't have any specific codes to share.

This particular shop has access to Ford updates and has also updated my truck on several occasions. I did a little research last night and now realize there's two injectors per cylinder. I guess I already knew it but never thought about that much.

The truck is exceptionally maintained but I realize your only real protection on this sort of issue is using top tier fuel which I always do. No tunes or additives have been used. I just received my Blackstone report from my oil change 500 miles ago and fuel dilution is rock steady.

I'm extremely loyal to the brand and am still in shock with my experience yesterday. I'm certainly not casting blame but it really makes me think of how and why this happened.

Thanks for reading. Updates to follow next week.

 

It's pretty simply in that EVERYTHING mechanical can and will fail at some point in time. If it's injectors it's a very easy repair and all should be well. Let us know how it turns out....

 

Here's hoping for the best possible outcome.

That'll teach you to "punch" your engine!!

(that was supposed to make you chuckle) Best of luck.

 

I know you're right but as of yesterday believe it or not I was near 500K over the last three trucks without being on the hook. Over that length of time you gain confidence and feel invulnerable.

 

Thanks for sharing. Hey at least I beat the oncoming car and didn't get nailed. Certainly could have been worse.

 

Its not all that common but injectors or their wiring do fail.
If it turns out to be an injector issue, at least the injector made it to 85K miles.

I think 'invulnerable' and 'over confidence' sooner or later gets balanced out by the Law of Averages or its cousin Murphys Law..

After the failed disastrous Confederate full frontal attack at Gettysburg known as Pickett's Charge,
General Lee was known to say:
"I thought my men were invincible"

 

My problem now is worrying about the other ones. If one malfunctions how long will it be until it happens again? Things like this make me try to develop a strategy to prevent it from happening again. I guess that's impossible.

 

Sorry to read about this. Hoping for best for you.

 

Thanks

 

Stuck injectors in the 5.4 engines sometimes grenaded the engine. My '05 was built at the VA plant(closed) using injectors from a lot they determined were particularly bad. Ford gave us an extended warranty to 110,000 miles in case of failure. Needless to say as I neared end of the warranty I replaced all the injectors myself.