SPONSORED LINKS

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?
SPONSORED LINKS
Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 11:54 AM

20 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
P00C6 "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.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 2:39 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 26th, 2023 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 POSTS
19 degrees out. Going to check it right now.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Celsius, I hope?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 POSTS
Nope, Fahrenheit. Here's what the pump and lobe look like. I think they look good, no excessive wear.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 27th, 2023 AT 12:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Brrrrrr. :/ Thanks for the images, I would replace the pump and then clear the codes, let me know what happens please.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 11:17 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 POSTS
19 degrees F, so waiting for mid to high 30s tomorrow.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Sounds good.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 POSTS
I inspected the lobe and follower. No wear and the roller spins freely and is oiled. This looks like good news. Lol
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yep, that is good news. Let me know what happens after you install the new high pressure fuel pump.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 POSTS
Will do. I hope it resolves all the issues. I'm not one to just throw parts at a problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 7th, 2023 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
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.

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 8th, 2023 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 444 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 27th, 2023 AT 12:03 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Oil Low Pressure Content

Oil Pressure Low
GUIDE
Oil Pressure Low
Engine oil is used to cool and lubricate bearing and machined surfaces. Without oil pressure an engine will experience extreme internal engine damage due to heat caused by...
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links