This is how I felt after the coolant resevoir was doin' the voodoo dance...the fluid was boiling! This tells me I have pin-hole leak(s)...pressure drops and the boiling point lowers...called SVT and they have a "KIT"..A FIX?..HMMMMMMMM..I SMELL A COVER UP...I HAD TO PULL SOME TEETH TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF THEM....TOTAL B.S! Oh, yeah..almost forgot...it runs like **** for awhile...so its an intermittent...anyone heard about the "FIX?" talked to Andrew at the 1-800 your intercooler leaks hotline...


[This message has been edited by whitelightnin' (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

Guys,

I think everyone should realize by now that the 1999 and 2000 trucks have intercoolers that will probably fail. From what information I have gathered it is a matter of time before mine fails. The 2001 trucks should be fixed, and I personally feel that Ford owes me a truck that I do not have to wait for the intercooler to fail on. Presently they are fixing the leeking ones with parts that will fail again. That is wrong! I hear rumors that they are working on a fix, but I do not know what there plans are. I personally feel that they will fix them as they fail and if yours is out of warranty when it fails, oh well. I feel it is time that a very well written letter was sent to Ford documenting this problem. Letting Ford know that we are aware of the defect and that we want it fixed correctly. If there is an attorney among us, I propose taking up a collection for the cost of developing the document and sending it to Ford. The data is out there, the intercoolers are defective. I really hate it when you call Ford and they act like you are stupid. I am presently thinking about getting a 2001, but that would not be fair to the poor sole that got the one I have now. I may just save my money and buy the 2001 lower and upper intake, new intercooler, and the new supercharger. I am not asking Ford for any thing but what is right. I think it is time for the lightning owners to let Ford know, we are aware of the problem and we want it fixed.

My 2 cents worth!

Rob

 

whitelightnin',

I know it's hot in Texas, but it's hot here in Phoenix too. What makes you think the intercooler water temp ever approached 212 degF? If you have a leak the water level would go down. Is the reservoir water level low? When the engine is running the water creates quite a stir when it enters the reservoir. This is normal. Is this what you are refering to?

------------------
Joel.......
99.5 White Lightning,
SVT # 0056

[This message has been edited by JoeLightning (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

collins8 Read my post again. Ford SVT told me specifically they DO have a "KIT". A "FIX" of some type. I have the name to the attorney that is supposedly the guy that started the "SVT Cobra Class Action Suit". If anyone is interested I will post his name. As far as a swirl, I do not think so...the coolant appeared to be boiling...a clear indication of pressure loss...and it ran funky...like a rolling idle...etc...whatcha thank? lata..jw

 

If you had a leak and it was a tiny pinhole leak...how long would it take for the resevoir to empty...see my drift?...still you would have a pressure drop which would reduce the boiling point of the anti-freeze..I probably would have not thought as much about it...until it started a rolling idle...and ran funky....lata..jw

 

If you had a leak and it was a tiny pinhole leak...how long would it take for the resevoir to empty...see my drift?...still you would have a pressure drop which would reduce the boiling point of the anti-freeze..I probably would have not thought as much about it...until it started a rolling idle...and ran funky....lata..jw

 

Okay, but what makes you think it's boiling? It would have to get over 200 degF for the water to boil without a pressurized system (i.e. your 'pin hole' leak). But where does the heat come from? noelvm (who lives in Texas) measured water temps around 120 when the vehicle was not moving last week. I just don't see where the water temp ever gets near 200 in the first place. So how do you know it's boiling????

Joel.....

 

I think he is seeing the rolling action as the water is being pumped back into the reservoir. I highly doubt that it is boing.

 

I dunno...I know Noel though....been out to Sealy (Brookshire, Tx)...it looked as though it was boiling...and ran rough...most of the time...the coolant is just sitting there..like window washer fluid...this is the 2nd time this has happened...then started missing...I really do not see any loss of coolant as yet...is this normal...high speed what appears to look like a milk shake and undertows?...hmmmmmmm...maybe the intercooler paranoia is setting in?....Andrew at SVT states they have a "FIX"...are they truthful?...I called today and I repeat...they have a "KIT?"...I dunno...

[This message has been edited by whitelightnin' (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

It is not boiling the electric pump just makes a tremendous swirl on the pass side of the reservoir. If you think you are seeing boiling put your hand on the reservoir. If you can leave it there long enough to start counting to 1 then it is not boiling.

None of the guys that have had leaks have had problems with the fluid boiling. Just bad performance from fouled plugs and o2 sensors.

Doug

 

Alright, then...the intercooler paranoia has set in.....so you guys think the extremely rapid swirling is normal?...anyway..I have a visit with Ford on the supposed "FIX"...why wait?...Don't worry...be happy...

[This message has been edited by whitelightnin' (edited 09-25-2000).]

 

The dealership Parts Mon told me he had 4 different stocking numbers...thats it...I am callin' the buddy brent up in Arlington...Brent talks ****..but at least its good ****...been a ford mechanic over 10 years..any other mechanics wanna step up to the plate...and clean the stink over these dad gum intercoolers?...SVT..are they truthful?...After the Firestone gig...I dunno....lata..jw

 

whitelightnin'

The "kit" you refer to is nothing more than another intercooler(same design), gasket set, and spark plugs, to replace a leaking intercooler. Mine was done last week at 15K miles.
My L started loosing IC fluid, particularly when driven hard(under boost)for long distances hwere the truck got nice and hot. Sometimes I could loose a 1/2 a gallon in a 200 mile trip, where as around town it might take 500 miles for the same 1/2 gallon. Fluid loss increases as time goes on. The truck will start running erratically as the O2 sensors and plugs start to foul. Add only water until you get the leak fixed as this will minimize the fouling. If you don't have a leak yet, don't worry, you'll have one soon. Some owners have already had two IC's replaced.
I agree with everything collins8 says that Ford be required to fix the problem on our trucks, and not just postpone the inevitable until our trucks are out of warranty. I already have an Ford extended warranty, and I figure I will get at least one more, maybe two more IC's replaced with it. However, I also have a new crate engine with the same ticking time bomb that I will have to eat repair costs on when the IC fails. To everyone that plans to keep their L any length of time beyond the standard warranty, I would urge you to shop for a good price on an extended warranty and buy it now while you still can. The cost of the intercooler replacement will totally offset the cost of the warranty. I believe FordSales(Jim)has helped with this topic in the past. I got another Service Engine Soon light on last night, The IC is still full after 300 miles so I don't think it is that again yet. They never replaced my O2 sensors with the IC, so who knows what's going on now. It's time to pop for my own OBDII scantool so I can better arm myself for visits to the dealership in the future.

Gotta go,

Lightning Bob

 

I have a water temp gauge on my intercooler inlet side hose. The temp of the fluid runs about 15 degrees hotter than the outside air temp. Sunday at the strip it was 98. The hottest the fluid got was near 120 a long way from boiling point. The pressure in this system is only 10 psi, nowhere near what your engine cooling system is which is 25-30 and runs at 190-200.
noelvm

I'm on my second intercooler and believe me if it fails Ford is going to replace irregardless of the miles on my truck and if that one fails I'm going to shove this truck back down their throat under the "three time lemon law". I don't know if there is any difference between the replacement intercooler and the original. If not I suspect they will all start failing again and if so everyone on this board will know it and it will be time for some very serious discussion with Ford SVT. My .02 worth.
noelvm

 

Frothy, bubbly, scary looking... this is normal.