Finally got the L back after three weeks. Warranty didnt pay ****. I had to pay for it all out of pocket. The shop had steel sleeves put in all plug hole so I shouldnt have to worry about it anymore. $2300 out of pocket. That could ahve been more mods!!! Oh well, it runs awesome and I am pleased with the work. On to small claims with the warranty company.

P.S. Has anyone heard about a class action lawsuit in the works against Ford over this issue. Its supposedly a new rumor going around. Hopefully its true, I will be all over that. But like I said, I have only heard from two other sources, nothing official.

 

Wow! How did you manage that? I've inquired about extended warranties in the past, but NO ONE would touch a Lightning.

Speaking of all the plugs popping regularly, what tool should I go out and buy? With as many that are going, I'm beginning to feel like I should check my plugs every other fill up. Better to be to cautious than to pay for a new head.

 

No "magic" tool you can but. (10mm swivel socket )
And as far as the warranty goes, mine got switched between three different companies before someone would warranty it. Now I see why. The one that took it denied the claim. I will never buy another extended warranty on anything!!!

 

Aftermarket warranties are notorious for denied claims. What tim skelton said,but may be simpler solutions. First go to BBB to see if they have membership,complaints, and solutions. Next Governor's or state department of consumer affairs for redress. All extended warranties are "insurance policies", so state insurance commissioner could be best place of all for help. If all that fails the dollar amount (varies by state but frequently up to $5000) would be best route. If Co. shows up with lawyers that could work against them. Finally, in addition to collecting threads/posts, see if local L owners or reg 5.4 owners have personal experience that can testify for you. Have them bring their paperwork. Ford going from 4 to 8 threads in 03 is de facto proof of design flaw! Good Luck!

 

should be small claims court with possible $5000 limit!

 

That has ALWAYS been my experience when dealing with aftermarket warranty companys. I just walk away from them now

 

I financed my 2000 L thru my credit union, they used a Mercury Insurance Group extended warranty

the warranty had a more expensive price for superchanged vehichles, and the supercharged package came with different coverage... it was about $900 in all for a 2 year extended warranty, and I bought it with no hesitation, considering my aftermarket warranty on my 96 firebird saved me probably $3000 total in many seperate occasions.

 

Cool. With everyone saying they weren't torqued right from the factory, I was thinking along the lines of a torque wrench.

 

$2300 and you didn't even get a new head/heads????

I'm sorry, but I think that dealer bent you over...

 

Can tell you a Snapon plug socket, p/n S9720KA is a real blessing when it comes to L plugs. That and a 10mm swivel socket. Only problem is the Snapon tool is about $53.00.
I bit the bullet and bought it..

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_d...store&tool=all

 

I didn't buy anything.

Just a regular spark plug socket, with some 3" and 6" locking extensions is all you need. A 7mm swivel socket makes it really easy for coil pack removal.

Just get in there, hand tight + 1/16th of a turn = a properly torqued spark plug.


Actually I'm mistaken, beer and bandaids are great special tools to buy for plug changes/checks

 

Maybe you need to check your info cause even stock heads from Ford (just heads, not valves or anything) are almost $1000 a piece. A little over half of the price was labor alone. If you know of some place that you can get new heads installed for that price please let me and everyone else in on your secret.