I've got a '08 5.4 with 55k that the motor just seized up (two internal bearings)... going down the highway it just lost power, no rods knocking, nothing, I figured it was power related. Dealer told me before even looking at the truck that this was out of the ordinary and if I didn't have service records (just got the truck) that Ford would most likely void the warranty. He strongly warned me that it would be an expense to break down the motor to verify the cause and that I would be responsible for this cost. Seemed like they were efforting to get me to take the truck elsewhere. Sure enough they broke it down and they are blaming it on engine sludge and told me that there is no chance Ford honors the warranty and I owe them $1500 for the tear down. The truck is virtually a show truck (immaculate condition, really a beautiful example) with no mechanical mods. No lights were on, no warnings, no problems. Carfax shows the cat replaced 5k miles ago at a different Ford store.

Quick caveat: I am a small time used car dealer and I bought the truck for resale. I drive Ford trucks, I am a Ford fan, I just buy cool cars/trucks, drive them and flip them.

Any advice on what to do next would be appreciated.

Curious if the techs here think that to seized bearings would be caused by poor oil maitenance (no records, but it was changed 5k ago) and I spoke to the previous owner who says that it was changed properly at an independent shop he uses and he would "try" to get me some receipts.... so far, no luck on the "try". For what it is worth he was a very nice guy and did not sound like an idiot that would keep a truck immaculate, mod it (power running boards, nav system, color match exterior parts) and not change the damn oil (but obviously this is possible). Also, curious if the cats being replaced could point toward something I could use?

Also, I have no clue how to properly escalate this, or if it is even worth the effort.

Thanks!

 

It was mistreated and thats the risk with buying used vehicles unfortunately. Bought a 2000 Explorer back in 05, 64k on it, sludge like peanut butter was found during the teardown after the motor seized THE NEXT DAY after I bought it. Dealer (non-ford) stepped up and paid for a rebuilt motor on their own.

 

wouldn't a burnt out cat be the aftermath of a stuck injector if the injector was replaced before any major problems.

 

Still shouldn't have anything to do with the engine being sludged. I would still want to see with my own eyes what the inside of the engine looked like. I would NEVER have my oil changed at a "Quick Lube joint". I have read that some actually use "reclaimed" oil. How can you tell unless you see them pour it from sealed bottles, which they are not going to use. Generally only going to use bulk drum oil, even if it's good name brand oil because they use overhead reel pumped oil. Have you ever seen some of the "You Tube's" on Quick lube joints flim flammery? Used car dealers look absolutely honest compared to them.

 

To remove the pan and valve covers and probably the rod caps once the pan is off, isn't $1500. kind of pricey?????? Either one slow mechanic or an excessively high hourly rate.

 

Do you do things like "check the oil and trans fluid" before buying these vehicles you speculate on? You should.

What kind of oil filter is on it at 55K. Is it white Motorcraft, or grey Motorcraft, or orange Fram, or what?

I'm wondering .... for that $1500, they yanked the engine out maybe?

If main bearings seized then it's a sure bet the rod bearings are shot too. I'ld giive the PO a chance (time) to try and get records, but an independent shop like a "quick lube" place that's privately owned operating as a franchise, if cutting corners, etc ... ie: "if" fleecing customers .... if they know a motor is seized up and sludged and they "serviced" it and that someone is asking them for records .... good luck.

As a Trooper for over 31 years, I can recall a few cases where we had troopers who just added oil as needed and never had the oil changed because they were too damn lazy to take it on their time or did not want to be inconvienienced otherwise while on duty and then a day come that their police car seized up and a tear down has seen some of them have costs assessed against their pay checks if they wanted to keep a job.

I was a fanatic about getting stuff done on schedule on my state cars as they paid me to and provided supplies and I wanted the cars ultra reliable, but not everyone sees it as necessary .... possible that the PO of your truck was one of these types?

I'ld be on the lookout for a good engine out of a wreck or be looking for someone to rebuild mine if I couldn't .... if I were you.