Hey guys, I'm new to this forum ... but I've been watching the posts on a regular basis for the past 3 months or so for insight. I NEED SERIOUS HELP from some of you experts and enthusiasts out there.

Here's my horror story:

I finally bought my Lightning on 4/18/02 ... it's a Black 00' born sometime in March 2000, vin # 2FTZF0735YCA71639 ... and it had 25,900 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. I live in Sarasota, FL, but I decided to head about 40 miles South to Don Gasgarth's Port Charlotte County Ford, as they had a Lightning that looked and drove excellent, and the price was very fair(Sarasota Ford slaps a 5K limited edition FEE on all of their SVT vehicles, new and used.) A-N-Y-way, after about 2 months of driving the truck(no mods yet besides an open S@B filter, JDM boost bypass, and a bullet cat back) ... the tranny started acting up a bit. By acting up ... I'm saying that it was double-shifting, shifting hard -- that ca-clunk type shift. Then, about 5 days ago, my engine light came on, and it really got worse and my boost was working properly either.

So today, I dropped it off at Sarasota Ford .... NOW HERE COMES THE NIGHTMERE!!! I have water in my tranny, and it will need a COMPLETE overhaul, or full replacement! Supposedly, Ford claimed that in the past year, the truck had to of been under water(at least to the doors) at some point(you guyz know how it floods in Florida), but the incident was never reported as it had a clean title history. Now I baby the heck out of this thing, and it's barely been in the rain since I've owned it!!!

So I asked Sarasota Ford why in the name of G.., did it take so long to act up if it had been in water that deep??? I drove the truck for at least 7 weeks before experiencing problems!!! Also, why was the tranny the ONLY thing affected my this??? They claimed that it just took some time for the water to penetrate. Needless to say, this is not covered on the warranty since it is considered owner's neglect. The truck just turned 29K.

Now I'm in the process of getting ahold of my salesman and manager at Port Charlotte Ford ... I'm going to demand every piece of literature available for this vehicle(like I should have done in the first place) ... but I just know they are going to try to pin this **** on me! OK ... I have to think positive!

What in the heck should I do guys??? I can't afford a 6K tranny. The truck wasn't Ford certified, but they claimed they ran a full inspection on it, and the dam thing looked and drove great. Is there any way I can hold them responsible for this? Man this the last time I buy used!!! What to do ... any help would be DEEPLY appreciated!

Jeff -- Sarasota, FL

 

Take it to the dealer you bought it from. If they give you the same lame excuse, start throwing a hissy fit...

btw: Water in the transmission isn't caused by submersion as far as I know.

Also, a factory tech monster box is less than $6K, so get one of those instead

Coldie

 

I second the Gregg Evans/Factory_Tech Monster Box idea.

 

Thanks guys ... if water in the tranny is not the result of submersion ... then how could this occur ... it's not like I decided to try water instead of tranny fluid???

 

I don't really know, I'm hoping Greg (factory_tech) will chime in here.

Coldie

 

JL51
Greg(Factory_Tech) has his own forum over at www.nloc.net post there to so you get a quicker response. Also he is a great guy and makes great products so he should be a great help.

 

Vin ... thanks man. Also, if I definitely need an overhaul, maybe I should also consider sending it off to Level 10. I hear they are a very reputable company ... and back their products well.

 

submersion CAN get water into the tranna via the vent on the top. U might want to get your insurance company on the phone, might be another solution. just tell them the ford dealer says your truck went through a deep enough puddle to cause said problems.

Its just a thought though....but insurance would cover any flood damage.


Brandon

 

My remarks were uncalled for, sarcastic and heresay. Therefore I edited them. Take your tranny where you want, I'm sure they will treat you well.

 

Brandon ... thanx for the insight ... that will be my final option if the Ford dealer refuses to cover this. Man I'm pissed because the dealership sold me a truck with flood damage!

Jeff

 

I dont think i would go to level 10 i heard some not so great things from guys who delt with them from here. Ask Dons Bolt he got his truck back from level 10 and heard a rattle and when he found out what it was it was the tranny. They forgot to put on 2 bolts that held the tranny down. I would go with Greg(Factory_Tech) for any tranny work for our trucks he is the expert and his products are awesome. I have his valve bodie and love it. If the time comes where i need a new tranny i will get his monster box or if i have the extra cash might upgrade to one.

 

Here's the Florida lemon law.

Vehicles sold, transferred or leased , in the state, and used primarily for personal, family or household purposes, excluding off-road vehicles, mopeds, trucks over 10,000 lbs., the living facilities of recreation vehicles, and motorcycles. 3 repair attempts - 30 calendar days out of service 18 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

My truck has 29K, but is only 4K from when I purchased it, however, doesn't the lemon law ONLY apply to new purchases? :confused

J

 

I'm no lawyer (thank god) but have dealt with vehicle issues over the years. It sounds like you do not have a warranty/lemon law issue as that relates to defects/workmanship, not negligent acts - dealer selling you a tranny full of water. that said, IMHO, you seem to have some leverage against the dealer, if not the previous owner for sure. You may need to get the tranny work done, then insist the selling dealership repay you. If they won't, sue them in small claims (what's the Florida max? 5K like Cal.?) so you don't need an attorney, and if that fails, go after the prior owner. it's a pain, but for the hours you'd invest, your $$$ return would be worth it. good luck.
brad

 

wolff ... I believe it is 5K or close. But how I can I prove that it was the previous owner, or the dealership's fault??? We all know that the previous owner will deny responsibility, and the dealership will claim that they ran a full inspection on it. So that makes it my word against there's ... anyway, I just spoke to the salesman that sold it to me ... and he claimed that it's under warranty so they should be able to take care of it, yet Ford does not cover neglegence, so he's probably giving me his uneducated opinion. Geez this sucks!

 

JL,

I Hope it will be covered and you won't have to hassle it. However, I bet you a bucket of June bugs that when that tranny gets broken down, there will be some kind of evidence that the mech will stand behind - write on the repair order at least - and state that the water had to have been there for over X days to have caused X problem. Like corrosion or something, huh?