OK folks. I took my L in for intercooler leak (about 1 pint/week) and front end clunk. They told me 1-2 weeks on new a-arm bolts and 1 to 2 MONTHS on a new intercooler. Should I stand for this? Do I have a choice?
Also, someone posted a site I could go and complain to NHTSA or someone. Could someone give me the address or point me in the right direction? Thanks.

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99 White Lightning
#2277, built 6-11-99
52 F2 Street Rod built from scratch-yes by me!

 

My dealer got my intercooler in three days for me. That was about four months ago. My clunk has been fixed three times and still not fixed but every time they only had it for one day. The dealer I go to is the biggest in the chicagoland area so maybe they stock that stuff but 1 to 2 months for an intercooler is crazy.

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99.5 red lightning
Cervini's ram air hood
billet grilles
clear coreners
clear tail's
A.R.E bed cover
SS street style mirror's
Super chip R9
airaid intake
trans go shift kit
Audio: Kenwood 9015 cd, Kenwood kmd minidisc, Kicker 5x7 impulse, kicker 5.25 resolution, phoenix gold zx450, Phoenix gold zx500, Three JL audio 10w3's, Qform's, custom built box.
Built 5/4/99 A tuesday
# 917 of 4000
Best ET. 13.42 at 100.98
best stock 13.96 at ?

When the green light drops, the bullsh*t stops.

 

I just got my truck back yesterday from dealer. It took three weeks to get intercooler. Tech told me that he would see me in a couple of months to replace again as Ford is working on a recall. Maybe they are reluctent to change out because of this. Brad

 

OK, they seem to be pretty easy to deal with, my leak isn't real bad yet.
I did find out there is now a TSB for the clunk, the fix is new lower bolts and a special nut. There is also a "TSM"--Technical Service Message-- for the intercooler. BTW they found coolant in the PCV valve, so its definately mucking up the motor. They didn't bat an eye on either fix, so I think all will be OK if I can stand the wait. The threads I showed on the subject certainly helped.

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99 White Lightning
#2277, built 6-11-99
52 F2 Street Rod built from scratch-yes by me!

 

I understand that if you are going to drive the truck with the intercooler leak, you should remove the coolant and fill it with distilled water. I guess not too much water in case it gets cold enough to freeze. Apparently the distilled water and the engine will be chemically cozy. Better ask the Dealer first in case of a major leak of whatever fluid puts a major hurt on your engine. Goodbye warranty.

 

BS. Call SVT and tell them your dealership said two months. They will want to know who you are dealing with and their phone number and if the parts are available they should be able to tell them how to get them in a few days. In the mean time you get your truck back and don't let'em tear into anything until they have all the parts in hand. If dealership doesn't agree, tell them they're either stupid or just plain jerks and go somewhere else.
noelvm

 

I agree, that's WAAAAY too long.

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 of 4,966
Built 3/30/00 (a Thursday!)
Clear corners
J.L. Enhanced R9
J.L. Stage II Ram-Air
FMS oval T/B next
HP booster of my own
G-Tech 13.72 stock

 

You should concider disconnecting the intercooler pump and stop adding coolant. Any kind of water passing through the motor will cause more problems and you could end up waiting for a new motor as well.

In my opinion ford owes a new motor to everyone who has this problem. I sold my 99 because of this.

I am waiting to see what happens with the 01's for now.

A.G.

 

Lemonboy, interesting comment about disconnecting the intercooler pump. But, I was thinking that if the intercooler sits over the intake, isn't fluid going to leak into the engine anyway, pump or no pump? I am confused on that issue.

 

I think the head bolts are the ones on national back-order.

I've been waiting for my replacement for 3 weeks and counting.

With the fear of freeze i just stopped adding anything to it and i'm just taking it easy.(which is very difficult!!)



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Nuno Gomes
'99 Red L #413
Superchip R9, Granatelli 80mm MAF, Airaid, Carbon Fiber Dash Kit, Bassani Cat-Back, Performance Automatic Valve-Body, Astro Lid & Bedrug.

 

redlite,

I think what he means is once the coolant level is below the leak, it won't leak anymore and the pump being disconnected won't allow it (the pump) to run dry, thus being burned up.

The moment mine begins to leak, that's exactly what I'm doing because I'm guessing Ford won't be very cooperative on handing out new engines.

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 of 4,966
Built 3/30/00 (a Thursday!)
Clear corners
J.L. Enhanced R9
J.L. Stage II Ram-Air
FMS oval T/B next
HP booster of my own
G-Tech 13.72 stock

 

Do you need anything in it ? Can't you run it dry..Disconnect the pump...Donno

 

Kent,
Where did you take your truck, Spradley-Barr? I took mine in for the clunk a month or two ago and they claimed not to know what the "clunk" was. They greased the wheel stops and aligned the truck (which shouldn't have needed it since I only had 5500 miles on it) and told me to have a nice day. I will show them nice day up side their &*^$$W# heads. Give me a call sometime, my L is currently awaiting tags and dodging snowflakes. We can go boycott Spradley if you want, call me at (970)225-9285 or email me at jacowen@us.ibm.com

We won't let them get away with this!

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00 Black Lightning
No mods yet
00 Honda Civic
01 Pontiac Grand AM GT

 

Gforce, based on some of the photos posted to this Board, it looks like at least one leak, and maybe more, was at the bottom of the intercooler. In that situation, there is an issue with the engine as soon as the leak starts IMHO.

I think it was MRBBQMAN who mentioned the distilled water trick. Of couse, a catastrophic leak will destroy the engine immediately regardless of the fluid type. Right?

Did you guys see any of the pics of the intercooler leaks that where posted?

 

redlite,

I should have been more specific. When mine starts to leak, I'm draining the whole I/C system and unplugging the pump. In no way is my engine drinking anything other than gasoline.

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 of 4,966
Built 3/30/00 (a Thursday!)
Clear corners
J.L. Enhanced R9
J.L. Stage II Ram-Air
FMS oval T/B next
HP booster of my own
G-Tech 13.72 stock