Thanks Red Gen (10SecL). I will definitely have the dealer check out the vacuum line you described. Did any permanent damage result from your failure? Or did you just replace the line and keep truckin'?

Thanks!

 

Sorry to hear about your recent spell of bad luck.

I think you did the right thing by taking your baby to the dealer. First of all there is a record of the problem by FORD so 10,000 miles down the road if you have another problem attributes to this current one, they can't say that they didn't know about the problem and it isn't going to be covered. Second why would you pay the big bucks for a new truck and not use the warrenty? Third if this is a problem for all Ls built in a specific timeframe they can keep an eye out for it if other Ls start acting bad.

Anyways, keep the rest of the board and myself updated.

Good luck
J

 

For everyone else's sake, I hope my problem is an isolated exception. Watching my baby smoke like that was painful to endure! I may end up opting for an extended warranty now - even if the L is returned to me in good shape (just in case "something else" did happen). Watch this thread for updates...

 

If you have driven yours for awhile like that it probably fouled out the spark plugs...........have them change the plugs........that would be a good time to take some NGK plugs there and let them put um in.........kills two birds with one stone.......lol......keep me posted.........................Keith

 

Hi Keith, I only drove it for about 1 minute as soon as it started smoking. I live less than a block from the McDonald's where it happened so I don't think that would be considered driving it a "while."

I will check the archives to see what NGK plug rating is specified - I hear no one likes the stock platinums.

 

BMWBig6,

Sorry to hear about your truck Keep us updated on the progress and what problem was with your truck.

I think this is an isolated problem because this is the first time I have heard of the symptoms you described. I hope you get her figured out before the next cruise in!!!

Oh, if you can't figure out who this is, I meet you at BK in Manassas last week. My name is Kyle!!!

 

Have you tried to restart it?? if so did it act like it had no fuel delivery??...........i bet you if it acted like that its the vaccuum line.............bet ya a 20 dollar bill..................Keep me updated.....................Peace....Keith

 

Of course I remember you Kyle - you had the cleanest L at HQQTERS! Yeah I can't really find any references to similar problems in the message archives, so maybe I got a dud.

Keith, yes the L was hard to start. It finally did catch, but cranked for a while. I hope you're right about the vacuum line - I bet that thing doesn't even cost $20!

 

Its probably like mine........just not hooked up good......i think it slipped off the fuel pressure regulator..........Keep me posted................this may be another TSB.......lol

 

I am really bummed... I dropped off the L at the dealer last Saturday and they're not sure if they can even *look* at it this week. I understand they can't drop what they're doing for customers like me (who don't have an appointment), but come on - I just bought the truck 2 weeks ago and it's going to be in the shop for at least a week now! It may end up being in the shop longer than I've had it! I didn't buy a $30K L for it to sit in the shop and drive a nasty loaner (this Mercury Mystique is worse than a rental car). Shouldn't the dealer have some techs available to perform "emergency" work (Hospitals admit patients without appointments all the time!)?

My friends are ribbing me ("Ford = Fix or Repair Daily"), and have suggested I demand another Lightning altogether!

Just venting...

 

UPDATE: (for those who still care)

Got a call from the dealer... "Looks like the injectors on the #6 and #5 cylinders are stuck open." They will have to order new injectors and they think it will be Tuesday before they will receive them and be able to verify that's the problem. They're not even sure if new injectors will cure my L's woes. I need to call them back to get more info on the codes thrown out by the computer.

Does the L use special injectors? You would think Ford would stock those kinds of parts if they were standard F-150 parts. I never have problems getting all kinds of parts for 10-year old BMW's or Porsches - I wish Ford could do half as well with cars that are in PRODUCTION!

Back on topic, does running on 2 bad injectors do any permanent damage to the engine or other stuff downstream?

Also, what are the chances that TWO injectors will fail at the same time? are the #5 and #6 cylinders even on the same cylinder bank?

Still don't know what caused the BLUE & WHITE smoke... Ughhhh!

 

hard to believe 2 injectors stuck open 1 i can believe also
5 and 6 cyls are same bank drivers side 1st and 2nd cyls
lightnings are equipt with 42# injectors i think made by
bosch and blue white smoke will come from fuel also remember
all that fuel is washing the cylinder causing rings to loose
seal and oil to enter combustion black smoke comes from
a very rich mixture that has burned i work at a ford dealer
i have seen injectors fail and pcm drivers cause injectors
to stay open hope you get some good news soon

 

Sorry to hear you're going thru this. My concern would be that of "washed" cylinders from the excess gasoline. You know what gasoline does to oil. I've repaired the damage caused from this in a Ford 390 and a Chrysler 318. And they were carbureted. I would think F/I engine would be worse since it's a direct shot into the intake runners. And the fact that your truck is so new, I'd bet the pistons and rings were still really tight - not a good time for no lubrication in those bores. It almost sounds to me like the cylinders became damaged and then started pumping oil out the exhaust, which would then cause the blue smoke. The squealing noise and roughness at that moment you described is bothersome too. Ouch. Hopefully this is far from the case.

I'm not trying to upset you. Just make sure they do a THOROUGH inspection of those cylinder bores by a compression/leakdown test and check for scoring. I think you might be getting a brand new engine before it's over. At least you're not paying for it.

My point on this whole post is just to tell you to make sure they don't cut corners. If your engine had been older, it probably would be a lot more forgiving to lack of lubrication problems. Don't let them screw you.