Do you guys think Ford will pick up the tab on fixing the intercooler in my '99 L? Isn't that something that would be covered under the 8 year/80,000 mile emissions warranty? I just wanted to get your opinions, as it seems I will not be able to play this season.
Thanks Much,
Chad

 

No, they won't fix it free anymore. You may even have trouble finding the kit to do it. The "recall" ran out over a year ago....

May be able to finda kit laying around at some dealer somewhere...

 

there was never a recall, it was a customer satisfaction campaign. Were it a recall, they last indefinitely.

Here's some info:


All Ford Vehicles have an Emission warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
A leaky I/C will Fould your O2 sensors and clog your catalytic convertors.
This is a federal Law C.F.R. somethinhg or another, that Mandates Ford to ensure the Emissions of the vehicle is up to par for 8/80. While doing some research I have concluded this may be the best way to go. I have told about 10 people within the last week who have this problem the same thing. Hope it works.
READ BELOW.


> couple things to keep in mind.
> If the reservoir is leaking it is MOSt likely the
> I/C. which you can't see, the fluid is going
> directly into the combustion chamber. (NOT GOOD)
> also on my truck it fouled all the O2 sensor and
> clogged the Catalytic Convertors.
>
> I ended up paying $532.00 (parts) and i installed
> it.
> read below to see the details.
> Installation is quite easy and the dealership will
> give you step by step directions.
>
>
> Well first Ford can be a PITA about this.
> This is what I did:
> When my I/C began leaking this is what I did:
> Ford never had a recall per se. it was classified
> as a customer service campaighn to satisfy the
> customer. The NHTSA never issued a recall.
> Therefore it is up to Ford if they will replace
> itfor free.
> 1. post on all the boards to gather as much info as
> possible, Specifically who go theirs replaced since
> the cappaign ended, names dates dealerships etc...
> they set a "kinda precedent".
> 2. Called Customer services and was EXTREMELY nice.
> I used to work for Ford Credit and we logged all
> calls, they can pull up your vehicle be VIN and look
> at what was discussed the last time you called. If
> you **** them off, you will get no where quick.
> Customer service was of little help. I gave them
> all the info of others who have had it replaced and
> they said they would submit the claim and get back
> to me. They called back the next day and denied it.
> 3. Called Ford SVT, and got the campaign number (I
> have it somewhere if you need it) and asked specific
> questions. The intercooler is leaking becuz one of
> the welds on the intercooler is weak and it breaks
> and starts to spray I/C fluid in your combustion
> chamber (not good). They said I'd have to call
> Customer service to see if Ford would cover it.
> (already did that)
> 4. Got the number for the Arbitration/Mediation
> department for Ford. This is a great service IF
> your car is under warranty. basically if you think
> Ford should fix it and they don't you go here and
> they come to a solution. But as i said, this only
> applies if your car is under warranty. so that was
> another dead end.
>
> 5. Contacted the NHTSA. (national Highway
> transportation safety administration) and filled out
> a complaint. My complaint was that the I/C fluid in
> the combbustion chamber could cause the engine to
> Vapor lock. If I'm driving down the Highway at
> 80mph and the engine locks, there goes, power
> steering, power brakes (still have manual) and in
> extreme cases could spin a bearing (major problem
> with engine) and lock up the engine. They were
> impressed, (I gave them all my research, data,
> Ford's campaign number) they especially liked that
> FORD knew about this problem and had a Campaign.
> They sent me the form, I typed up a few more pages
> of specific description and sent it in to them.
> They are investigating it, but Who knows when it
> will be solved. (that is still on gonig) It isn't
> a moot issue since I got it fixed, because this is a
> safety issue. THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING IT.
>
> 6. I did NOT try this BUT: The manufacturer of a
> vahicle is responsible for the emissions of that
> vehicle up to 75,000 miles. the Leaky I/C (on my
> truck) has plugged the Cats and fouled my O2
> sensors. Therefore This thing is guzzling gas like
> crazy and spewing everything into the atmosphere.
> (emissions) Here in Michigan, we don't have
> emission testing. I'm not sure who to contact but
> you can file that the defective part (leaky I/C) has
> caused severe emission problems (don't give them
> your VIN, because it could hurt you in the end) and
> that Ford is responsible for the emissions up to
> 75000 miles. My truck is a '99 and just turned
> 13,000 miles. So it was covered, but i was so fed
> up at this point, I didn't pursue it,. I should
> have though...
>

 

> 7. I called every dealership in the state that sold
> SVT and explained the situation. I finally found a
> delaership who had the part sitting on their shelf
> for a year and wanted to send it back to Ford. Ford
> would onl;y give them what they paid for it. SO
> they sold it to me at COST. $532.00 plus tax. I
> also had that delaership print off from the srevice
> manual step by step directions on replacing the I/C,
> complete with torque spec and all. It is an easy
> job and takes about 2.5 hours.
>
> 8. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT PART.
> there are 3 parts out there that are the same thing.
> 1. the original one that will leak.
> 2. the new version ('01 and newer) that doesn't
> leak and is more efficient, BUT doesn't fit 99-00
> becuase the bolt holes WILL NOT line up.
>
>
> 3. The upgrade KIT. this is what you want!!! It
> upgrades the 99-00 version to the 01-present
> version. and is a complete kit! Again i don't have
> the part number with me but I can get it if you want
> it. the kit comes with upper and lower manifold
> and the inner coller itself. It looks intimdating
> to do, but it is really not that bad at all.
>
> Now, You are gambling if you buy a used one. A
> leaky one CANNOT be REPAIRED, trust me I went
> everywhere looking for someone to fix it. the metal
> is just too thin, and if the weld breaks, the metal
> weld could end up in the combustion chamber.
>
> Ford customer service will submit on your behalf a
> resuest to have Ford pick up part of the bill.
> Don't hold your breathe it will be turned down.
>
> Ford's campaign to fix this ended a year ago, and
> they are not going to extend it, (unless NHTSA comes
> through)
>
> THIS IS WHAT I RECOMMEND TO DO
>
> 1. ask the local SVT clubs (michgan =
> www.miloc.org) and ask for SVT friendly dealership
> that may sell the part at cost. Bite the bullet and
> get it. Ford only made a certain number of the
> "kits" and once they are gone, they are completely
> gone.
>
>
> Now if someone tries to sell you one from a '01 or
> newer, don't waste your mony, it won't fit.
>
> youll have to buy the Upper, lower manifold, the
> intercooler AND THE BLOWER! they are on Ebay like
> this, but sell for a lot!
> the bolts on the blower are also different, so a '01
> and newer blower will not fit a 99-00. Nor will a
> harley blower!
>
>
> Luckily hI have another car to drive, so the
> Lightning sat for a while I I tried all avenues.
> Ford screwed us, plain and simple, and it is for
> that reason I'm not buying another one.
> I keep the Leaky I/C on a shelf to remind me of the
> pain in the *** hassle I went through with Ford.
> Heck Dodge has the 7/70! (sorry didn't mean to rant)
>
> Try the Emission route and let me know how that
> turns out.
>
> GOOD LUCK.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ford made 3 intercooler kits.
1. 99-00 Leaky stock intercooler
2. 99-00 Non-leaking stock intercooler with SPECIAL manifold 10 row
3. 01-present Stock intercooler 10 row

Now, IF you get a 01-present intercooler it will not work with your blower. you MUST have a -01-present blower.

The KIT that ford made to correct this problem is EXTREMELY LIMITED AND VERY HARD TO FIND. you are going to have a hell of a time locating one. If someone knows what they are worth, expect to spend a pretty penny!.
If you can find a dealership that has one the retail is over $700.
It si one big box that has upper and lower manifold and the intercooler.
the exact part numbers can be found by using the SEARCH buttong on top and type in intercooler.
I've posted about this a thousand times.

Read my post above on what I did and went through.

So your truck can have the upgraded intercooler with the '99-00 blower, it simply has the KIT on it.
(same thing my truck has right now)

 

From what I understand, the later intercooler can be made to fit fairly easily. I know somebody who has done it twice.