I burned a piston in my 2000 motor. I have elected to install a brand new 2001 motor, which I have just purchased from Kar Kraft. Are there any installation problems that I should be aware of? Should I use 2001 PCM or the old 2000 PCM? Thanks. By the way, If any of you are using Splitfires..........get 'em out NOW! I was warned about splitfires....so I have no one to blame but myself. If you are wise, you won't make the same mistake!

 

L_Acious,
I had a problem with my splitfires breaking to but i will admit it was my fault for having a chip that was way to lean causing some detonation to cause this problem!I would bet you are using a chip also and you will burn pistons by running very lean so if you were using a chip that is where your problem is and need to get it reprogramed and not be blaming this on the plugs!These plugs will run fine as long as your tuner has the air-fuel in a safe area!I would say 99% of people that have plug problems are running nos or running way to lean!My .02 cents!

 

What have you done that you can't get it warrantied?
Tom

 

Something isn't right here. What was there "main" reason. I'm sure they gave you some sort of reason. Also, take it to ANOTHER dealer. I've had a dealer before deny me warranty work because they said I abused the system over every lil thing on my '96 Cobra.

I went to 3 different dealers and all of them helped me. Call and speak to the service manager at a high rated customer service dealership and tell them what happened and that your local dealer isn't even willing to help you.

I can't believe you haven't tried working w/ another one at this time. Tell us ALL the details if you can.

BfB

 

Splitfires & K&N filter. Dealer wouldn't even discuss it! Ford backed them up. My only recourse is litigation. Stay tuned, "this ain't over yet" ! No chip by the way.

 

L-Acious, i have had splits for 15,500 trouble free miles and have mods including chip and pro-m ect so unless you had these plugs gapped wrong, a too lean chip or nitrous then ford should be buying the new engine.I gaurantee they would have installed the splits for you for 150.00 or more at a ford dealer, splits or not.Ngk's and ford plugs have both burned off in the past on other trucks so use this as ammo.How much are they asking for a new L motor anyway?

 

L_Acious I'd probably use the same pcm. If your doing the engine install I'd suggest finding a friend with a lift. Pull the cab off it'll make things alot easier.

Bill

 

They are denying warranty based on what ?
You didnt use Ford Platinum plugs ? Or are they blaming a burnt piston on K&N filter ?

Definatly see another Dealer.

Doug

 

They (dealership) say that the splitfires w/ k&n filter caused a lean condition, which in turn caused one splitfire to completely explode at the tip, and (2) others, all on drivers side definetly ready to come apart in a few more miles. I have had these plugs in for less than 1000 miles. Yes, they were gapped properly(.044) at the time of installation. However, when I removed them, I noticed that the gaps varied between (.046) and (.068). The gap does not remain constant after time, when using splitfires. While they might have contributed to a leaner than stock condition, I don't believe that they caused the burned piston with scored block. My contention is that FORD has a dirty little secret about either a casting problem with some of the aluminum heads and or blocks.

 

L-Acious,

If this is who I think it is I'll try to touch base with you this afternoon.

 

improper spark plugs may cause a missfire
resulting in a rich condition at the cylinder
but the combination of K@N with any plugs
causing lean out that would burn out pistons
(no chip involved) is not possible.
i have seen defective spark plugs where the
tip came off and stuck between the piston and
cylinder wall destroying that piston and cylinder. is that what happend to you?
if not, then there is no way they can refuse
warranty repairs.unfortunattely this is
the reality with FORD dealers and FORD as
a company in general. i love my 01L but every time i took it in for warranty work
such as alignment, seat pad wear, windows
slow when going down the results were 0.
since i am a technician for MB i gave up and
took care of the repairs myself but if anything more serious was needed related to
drivetrain i would not back off in demanting
proper service. if you find a good dealeship
stick with it even if it involves long distance. they are very rare!!!

 

If your tip broke off and blew the cylinder by destroying the piston and the wall, then that is a problem you will have to take up w/ Splitfire, which unfortunately is going to cost some money litigation wise.

BfB

 

Plugs and a filter DID NOT cause a lean condition which would burn a piston. Detonation from an oil contaminated air fuel charge (caused by so much suction in the intake tract that oil flows up the little driver side valve cover tube) could burn a piston and that sounds like a design defect to me. Don't pull the cab-pull the motor up and forward a little and turn it to the left as it is raised such that when it comes out the water pump is pointing 90 degress from normal ( to the driver side) it is tight but it will come out. Pull the blower and upper intake to remove/install and things will go a lot easier. Took me 20 hours acutal work time and I used to be a mechanic.