If I were in your shoes Id give them 2 options...

1. New Motor
2. A built motor from tuner of your choice.

Andy

 

Man this is truely a nightmare.

You truck DEMANDS a NEW motor, not a remanufactored one. But I would have a serious problem trusting that dealership to exchange an engine, if they flucked up an oil change. Do they have any new Lightnings on the lot? The dash kit could be exchanged, screw the window tint if you can work something out on a new truck and cut you losses and future problems.

Good Luck my friend

 

That sucks man. That's how my dad just ended up with the new 03. The motor in his 00 blew, ford warrantied it but the dealer didn't have anyone to put the motor in...........go figure. After 3 weeks of the motor sitting there in the crate, the dealer kept the truck and gave him a deal on an 03, he just didn't want the truck back because he knew it was gonna get hacked. And get hacked it did. The motor is in it but i feel bad for the guy who buys it.

Here's what I can tell you...........you are in a bad bad situation and I feel for you. Ford is no longer sending full crate motors out to replace engines, long blocks only. Which means they have to transfer everything over. Now you have a brand new truck, and the truck and engine dates don't jive anymore, not to mention all the wrench marks all over everything. Ruins the value of the truck of you get my drift......... Even if it gets fixed, i'd still make them pay for such a stupid mistake. That **** is square one and should never ever happen. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

I would agree on a rebuilt motor of your choice. Then go to a tuner and get a built block. You will be the only one on the boards with a built motor and 3/36k mile warranty on it.

 

already tried that one. It will end up costing him some money, and I wouldn't pay a dime!!!

 

I'm real sorry to hear of your problems Mastertvtech
Like everyone says, INSIST on a NEW MOTOR

If nothing happens within a few days,
go there, clean out your stuff,tell them you are not taken the L back. Then DO NOT CALL THEM FOR A FEW DAYS
Then watch how fast they get you a a NEW MOTOR OR
New truck

My Sis-in-law did it and got a new Caravan, my assistant at work is on her 3rd Explorer. (they replaced it twice) Stick to your guns, guys like me are on my own now, and it sucks.
You have a NEW truck and MUST INSIST on a NEW MOTOR


Good Luck

 

That sucks - However-

There is NO chance in my opinion ( NONE ) that Ford will ever give you $$ to give to a Vendor for a built block. Why even discuss it. They have thier own parts and own labor that is MUCH cheaper. It would be FAR cheaper for Ford to put a new engine in or even swap you to new truck and sell the Lightning for the difference

While it would be nice if the numbers matched no trade in is going to be negatively affected by the engine vin not matching the Truck VIN. This truck is not likley to be on the auction block at Southebys or Barrett Jackson - Even if it was ( in 30 years ) you would have all the documentation to prove that the engine in it was swapped by Ford at 2800 miles with a new Ford block,

Re Leaving the truck with them. As long as you are maing the payments they wont care where you leave it. In fact the service contract you signed likely has a clause about them charging you for storage.

Sounds like you should take some $$ get an atty to join you in your next meeting with the GM...
My $0.02
Good Luck

Doug

 

Get one of those TV consumer reporters involved.

I bet the dealer will like that publicity, heh

 

Here 's my 2 cents........In your initial post you state you think they didn't put oil in the motor, however has this been documented and committed to writing? To take this matter into the legal arena you will need solid evidence of why the motor failed. I would second the fact Ford nor the dealer will pay to have someone else build you a motor, so your best bet is to hold the dealer accountable.

Have you spoken with the owner or at least to the GM? I would move past the service department at this point.

I would also not threaten to bring an attorney into the mix unless you are prepared to do so. Threatening a car dealership with an attorney is like threatening a prostitute with AIDS........it's simply the price of doing business, and a risk they are willing to take.

Bad press, now that's something they don't like, and/or complaints to local BBB's, if they are a member. Most auto dealers like to become involved in local business activities, so bad press makes it hard to look like a benevolent, charitible organization. In most cities, local news channels love to hear from consumers with dirt on a local business.........

I would ask for a sit-down meeting with the owner or GM and discuss the problem first. This will set the tone for any future dealings, if needed. Heck, he might not be aware of the problem.

Always remember that every journey begins with the first step, and there is no harm in using reason as your first offensive move. If that don't work, then you have prepared the best base to build your civil case........Judges love it when you try to solve issues with common sense and reason.

Good Luck

P.S.......I just went back and re-read you did meet with the GM, hopefully it was productive. The best offense is not losing your temper. Make them deal with the facts, not the emotions of the moment. Looks like you have a great case, so let it work for you.

 

Should be pretty easy to diagnose a motor that ran with NO oil.. Drop the oil pan should be easy to see... Of course them you have to prove they did it ...

Doug

 

'03 L w/2,800~K miles on the clock ?!?

Good luck in "slaying the dragon" ...I wish I could offer more other than HANG IN THERE and B#TCH UP A STORM !!!

 

If he doesn't get a new factory crate motor how can he be made whole?

He bought a new truck with a new engine and anyting less is a rip off.

 

Mastertvtech:

I am really sorry your going through this. I had an 00 L that bought new...developed "bad" engine sounds at about
~4000 miles...the dealer ordered a new crate engine with
the blower attached...they totally BUTCHERED the engine swap job. DO NOT accept a reman engine...you bought a new truck;
at the least your properly OWED a NEW engine. The lies and
deception are probably already started at the Zone rep level...
the only way to protect yourself is get a solid lawyer NOW so that
everything is legally documented...If you dont they will twist you
every which way to sunday...Good luck...any of us here will do our best to help you. PROTECT YOURSELF !!!

 

i second the do not bring the lawyer into the picture unless you are ready to go that route. i told ford when i had tranny problems in my 01 GT I was giving them one last chance and after that i was contacting a lawyer. a week later i had a letter in the mailbox saying that from now on they would file all my letters with thier legal staff. of course i then contacted a lawyer and we sued for a little over 5 grand and a new drivetrain and won.now this was with Ford and not the Dealer. I was beyond working things out with the dealer.

my advise to you is fight hard for a NEW engine but be respectful and calm when talking to the GM. this guy could take care of you or pass the buck on to Ford.

good luck and keep us posted.

frank

 

Sorry for my continued rant and waste of bandwidth but only you guys understand what I feel. Co- workers, family, friends, think it's just a car and some people would give thier right arm to drive the explorer rental that you have...yada yada

Anyway, I guess I screwed myself by starting this thread. Ford was going to approve a motor BUT the Ford hotline tech read this thread and is now denying the dealer claim (blaming the dealer for my speculation?). The worst part is the service manager is pretty upset with me about this thread, but he hasn't actually seen it yet. I will send him this link tonight. The good thing for the Dealership is that they have surveillance tape of the garage and can see oil being put in to the engine.

The Rep at SVT is doing all he can to speed up the process, but a Field Engineer must now see the motor before a new one is sent out. Way too much time lost and way too much miscommunication.

I guess there is a lesson here: Be careful what you say as Ford is monitoring these groups. This is a fact.

Anyway, there is no timeframe as to when I will see it again.

Thanks for listening.

Lew