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Low pressure at fuel rail?

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 FORD EXPLORER
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Original engine codes were p00c6, p0087, po300, po302, po304. Engine hard to start and misfiring. It very low on power. Cleared codes, p00c6 is permanent and wouldn't clear. Short test drive, p00c6 and po302. I have some ideas but I would like to hear what you think. It's the Eco-boost engine. Pretty obvious it's a fuel delivery issue but is it the injectors or the high-pressure pump, or maybe the fuel pressure control module?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 11:54 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,909 POSTS
P00C6 in a 2016 Ford Explorer typically indicates a problem related to "Fuel Rail Pressure Low During Engine Cranking." This means the high-pressure pump has gone out, also, when the pump is out, I would use a flashlight to look at the condition of the camshaft to make sure the fuel pump activation lobe is not ground down. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 2:39 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
The wording in part of the answer didn't make sense. Right after you said this means the high-pressure pump has gone out but I went? Do I unbolt the HPFP to inspect the cam lobe? No Schrader valve to release or test pressure at the rail but the average gauge wouldn't measure it that high?
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Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
I did some more studying and it's very straightforward and easy. I'll inspect the cam tomorrow. I'm assuming if the follower isn't worn through the lobe might be okay. Is it common for this pump to fail? 164k I found out. Is it common for the lobe to wear excessively? Is this a known issue for Ford? Any TSB or recall? This truck was purchased used and is out of warranty.
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Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,909 POSTS
There isn't any recall I know of, but you can call the dealer to find out, yes, the high pressure pumps do go out. When you replace the pump inspect the lobe, if it looks okay then go ahead and replace the pump. Please let me know what happens.
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Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
19 degrees out. Going to check it right now.
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Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,909 POSTS
Celsius, I hope?
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Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
Nope, Fahrenheit. Here's what the pump and lobe look like. I think they look good, no excessive wear.
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Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 12:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Brrrrrr. :/ Thanks for the images, I would replace the pump and then clear the codes, let me know what happens please.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
Waiting for the pump to come. Before I put it in, I'll remove the follower and look at the actual lobe. I don't expect excessive wear, but I'll check the roller for free movement.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Good call, let me know how it goes with the new pump, also if you think you see wear and the cam after the follower has been removed please upload an image.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
19 degrees F, so waiting for mid to high 30s tomorrow.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good.
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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
I inspected the lobe and follower. No wear and the roller spins freely and is oiled. This looks like good news. Lol
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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is good news. Let me know what happens after you install the new high pressure fuel pump.
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Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
Will do. I hope it resolves all the issues. I'm not one to just throw parts at a problem.
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Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
I installed the new high-pressure pump, and the same codes came back. Still misfiring on number 2. The exhaust smelled like raw fuel upon startup. It still cranking for 3 to 5 seconds before it fires.
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Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 394 POSTS
I went back to basics. Did a coil swap with #2 and#5. No change. Pulled #2 plug and it was wet with gas. Dried it out and swapped with #5 and #2 wet fouled again. Sticky injector or no pulse. I didn't test with noid light yet. I am not familiar with direct injection and have read the injectors can break off. Any ideas?
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Thursday, December 7th, 2023 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It could be a low compression issue; can I ask if you cleared the code, and did it come back? I was thinking maybe the lift pump in the tank could not be supplying the fuel to the high-pressure pump, let's run a fuel pressure test on the low-pressure system to see if that is the problem. Also let's check the compression on #2.

These guides should help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Engine running 55.1 - 75.4 psi (380 - 520 kPa)
KOEO 58 psi (400 kPa)

Please go over these guides and get back to us.

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Friday, December 8th, 2023 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
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  • 394 POSTS
With the weather so cold my friend took the Explorer to a shop. Turned out it was one or more bad injectors like I thought. Just too cold to do outside. At least I got the diagnosis correct.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Wednesday, December 27th, 2023 AT 12:03 PM

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