Unplanned stop in Montrose CO

June 2023

Continuing to catch-up 2022...

Sep. 19, 2022

About 10 minutes from Caddis Flats Campground, on our way toward Dinosaur National Park, we had an engine fault code "low fuel pressure" and a noticable drop in power. Luckily a gravel pullout was just ahead and there was cell service. After reading/researching the code we called the Ford dealer in Montrose to make an appointment. They said we could drive it to Montrose (about an hour) but no more. The best service appointment was almost 2 weeks away. We found a campground "IN" Montrose, so we'd have nearby access to groceries, and headed to Cedar Creek RV Park.

Curiously, the low power condition seemed to disappear after restarting the truck and continuing toward Montrose.

Taking inspiration from friends Nick & Gail who cycle every where, we drove the truck only once during the nearly 2 weeks till the service appointment.  A visit to downtown Montrose and the Visitor's Center which gave us a bike trails map showing the network bike routes (including the 24+ mi. paved City Rec. trail) and their relative safety.

Looking down on Montrose from a high point on the City Rec. trail. The uplift forming Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP is in the distance.

There's a whitewater play area in Riverbottom park on the Uncompahgre River that parallels part of the bike trail.  We had fun reminiscing about our whitewater days.

When the truck service appointment finally arrived, they couldn't find anything wrong! They had no explanation for what triggered the error.  Not very encouraging for the long trip south. 

 *** See Note at the end of this post!

With the time we had left in Montrose we took a long day trip north of Montrose to Grand Mesa. This trip was to 1) exercise the truck to see if the error returned and 2) scout Grand Mesa for a future visit.  

At 11,000 ft., the upcoming winter was already hinting at what was to come.  We encountered light snow/sleet, limiting our exploration to the major roads.

With some trepadation we started heading south.  Here's some pics as we passed through the San Juan mountains, past Telluride and through Lizard Head pass.

Lizard head rock.

Deciding to put the recent truck issue in the back of our mind and not worry about it, we headed to our next destination,  Hovenweep Natl. Monument.

Note: during a stop in Silver City NM, I described the truck error code to a Ford diesel mechanic.  He said there are two valves in the fuel delivery manifolds on either side of the V8 motor.  These valves sometimes stick causing the low fuel pressure error I received.  Once the motor is turned off then back on the valves reset, eliminating the symptoms. This fits exactly with our situation.  As of June 2023, we've had no more problems.