Well, My worst nightmare has happened. Last night, I started her up for my evening commute, and everything went to hell from there. She idled really rough, then followed by a ticking. It was too late to take her to the dealer, and it killed me to have to take her like that, all 63 miles home. So this morning, instead of getting her Line-X'ed, I brought her to the local dealer. Sure enough, this afternoon, the shop called with the bad news. They have to replace the lifter, the rocker, and the cam shaft. (factory defect) And of course the parts need to be ordered. Now I'm driving a smelly Focus, I killed a bunny on the way home, and I really miss my truck...

I need a drink, then I'm going to flush my head down the toilet!
Any mechanical or grief counsel appreciated.

And since y'all will probably want to know:

2004 F-150 SCREW Lariat 5.4L 4x4
Built Dec. '03

 

mandy67,

Sorry to hear about that. How many miles on your truck?

Hey, at least your day wasn't as bad as the bunny's.

The good news is that the once the service department gets the parts in, they'll get her fixed up like new again. Hang in there and keep us posted.

 

You have a point, but that Focus is REALLY smelly...


btw, 7600 mi.

 

Atleast they didn't tell you that they couldn't feel it, or that it was a non-issue...I know it sucks, but hang in there. Don't start bitching until it comes back with the same, different, or bigger problems. I feel for you Buddy.

Stupid bunny probably deserved it.

 

mandy67~ Sorry, sooo sorry to hear about your situation.

First, dont flush your head down the toilet, because you could probably use more than one drink - and, you cant do that without a head. And when you get your treasure back, it will be just as good as it was supposed to be - a great thing about mechanical stuff, EVERYTHING can be fixed (but you won't be able to drive and enjoy it without a head).

And the bunny... not to worry - there are great recipes...nevermind.

BUT - enjoy the Focus, smelly or not, it will get the best gas mileage you are gonna get for the next 5 years!!

...here's hoping everything will work out for the best!

 

Dude So sorry.....
Sniff
sniff
gatr

 

yeah, I think the condition was EATON, the supplier, prepacked some valvesprings upsidedown, thus damaging the valvetrain. It was an early problem that they tried to contain. The clicking noise you described was the exact symptom. hopefully they can just pull the head and fix her up quick.

-ii

 

That sucks

My tranny took a dump and Ford overnighted one and swapped it out in 3 days. They'll fix you up.

 

Sincere regrets on the bad luck there Mandy.

At least it was able to get you home and back to dealer in that condition. Can't help but be wowed by that.

Bet the bunny can't say that.

 

Thanks Guys! I feel better already, I've Febreez'd the Focus (fat chance), checked the undercarriage for Rabbit guts (none). Now, if my Bruins can beat those rotten Habs, things will really start looking up.

I worked for EATON for a short time, in their Ion Implanter Division. Let me say, I'm not a bit surprised. I will surely send Ford a sternly written letter, perhaps 1 bunny carcass as well. Hmmm... maybe just the letter.

 

This stuff happens, but it always sucks when it happens to you. Sorry to hear, but hang in there, they'll do a good job and get you back on the road in no time.

The smelly Focus is humiliating after driving the F150, that does call for another drink!

 

Sorry for the bad luck on your truck, but at least it will come back to you good as new.

The Focus will still be a Focus, though. That REALLY sucks.

I took one for a test drive a couple of years ago when I was in the market for a second car. I never even left the dealer's lot. Wouldn't drive one on a bet, except maybe an SVT.

 

Sorry to hear about your predicament, but take it from an ex Ford mech. they will get her going again just like new. Try to be patient and dont take it out on the bunnies . Just think about how nice it will be to get out of the Focus and back in your new truck. If you need a drink, by all means have one on me Just dont take the Focus out afterwards.

 

mandy67,

I wanted to bump this back to the top to see if you happened to get your truck back or get an ETA from your dealer.

Are you getting attached to that Focus yet?

John

 

And did you get it smelling better?