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Ford F350 6.0L Engine Stalls in Gear with P0172 and P0175 Codes - Cold Start Issue

Model: Ford F350 6.0L Fault Code: P0172 Posted: 2018-01-27 14:44

When I start the engine, everything runs fine initially. However, as soon as I shift into gear or apply throttle, the engine stalls, floods, emits a gasoline smell, and becomes difficult to restart. If I let the engine idle for several minutes until the RPM drops to around 100

Related fault codes
P0172P0175
Comments (3)
Anonymous 2018-01-27 19:01

The P0172 and P0175 codes indicate a rich fuel mixture. I recommend checking the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor first, as well as the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) and Transmission Temperature sensors. If any of these sensors are out of range or malfunctioning, the engine control system may misinterpret readings and cause incorrect fuel delivery. Note: A block heater can sometimes trigger this issue—especially if it causes the ECT to read 185°F while IAT and transmission temperatures remain at just 12°F. In such cases, a reflash of the engine control module (ECM) may be required. Please avoid common fixes like air filters or fuel chips—these are not typically root causes. Use an OBD2 scanner to verify live data from MAF, ECT, and IAT sensors under cold-start conditions versus when the engine reaches operating temperature.

Anonymous 2018-01-27 19:35

Hello everyone, thanks Kev. Based on your input, it appears the engine runs too rich during cold starts. To confirm this, I recommend checking live data from the Mass Airflow (MAF), Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT), and Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensors when the engine is cold versus at operating temperature. A proper OBD2 scanner is needed to access real-time sensor values—EOBD tools typically only provide limited data, such as MAF, ECT, and IAT. Please share your live data readings so we can better diagnose the issue.

Anonymous 2018-01-28 09:42

Hi! I'll check all the sensors mentioned above. Thanks for the advice, J-P!