Here it is, the TSB we have all been waiting for.
http://pages.prodigy.net/castines/TS...on%20Slap).doc

[This message has been edited by castines (edited 11-22-1999).]

 

Castines, thanks for your effort! Perfect timing too! I am taking my truck in to Charles Gabus Ford later today so it can sit overnight and knock for em' tomorrow morning. The servce guy there said to me last week "the internet is poison..."

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1999 ORP SC Medium Toreador red 5.4L 17" Centerline Prowler's Deflectashield Magnum K&N dont need anything else-its bad to the bone!

 

Just got back from Dealer, told them i would park my X on a cold night and then stop back in the morning, I did not leave the keys, i told the i would bring them in the morning along with the TSB and we will listen to the slap. I'll let you know what happens, we are in a warm spell here on the east coast. may be a week or so.

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98 X EB no mods.
Family Mobile

 

would there be a mile restraint on this, my 97 4.6 (6 is # 8 in the vin)does this, but i have 80k miles, and am out of warenty, do you think that they would still replace it?, or does it have to be under warenty (its a long shot but hey...)

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97f150 loaded 4.6 shift kit (auto trans) 16.7@81 in the quarter

 

rl,

Please see my detailed comments to another out of warranty owner;

Forum: This forum (engines)

Topic: 5.4 Piston slap repair on out of warranty


If you reported the knocking to your dealership PRIOR to the warranty expiring and they noted this on your work order you MAY have a shot.

While Ford will likely tell you too bad anyway, it's too late, my argument is as follows:

1. I reported the problem to my dealer when it was under warranty

2. My dealer told me there was no fix available (this is true, it took them until October of 99 to start shipping replacement engines)

3. Now that a fix is finally available, I want(and deserve) it. I should not be punished because Ford took almost 3 years to fix the problem!

In my case, my 97 5.4L pistin slapping engine was replaced under warranty even though I am way over warranty in miles. That is because my dealer kept an "open" work order on the problem for over 1.5 years. If that was not the case, I suspect I would have to fight like hell to get a replacement. If you can get your dealer to back you up re: you reported it but have been waiting for a long time for a fix you may have a chance...

Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

Here is the email that i sent to FORD. And also the response from Ford Web site about my inquiry for Piston Slap. Either the person does no know about the TSB, or they are just blowing smoke up my @$$!!

Email to Ford Follows

Ok, I leased my 98 Exp EB in March of 99'from Chapman ford in
Pleasantville, NJ 08232. Now that it is getting colder I am now getting
the Piston Slap that I heard about after i Purchased the Vehicle. In
the
beging I asked my service writer about a TSB, he had never heard of such
a
thing. Well the cats out of the bag. What are my options, I am still
under original warranty.

Additional Information:
--------------------------------
I also used to work for Ford as a mechanic at Chapman Ford back when it
used to be McCarthy Ford. I am asking you about this before I take my
Exp
in for a cold start morning so the service dept has no way of denying
the
matter.

Here is Fords reply!

Dear Mr. Castine,

Thank you for your message of 11/21/99 regarding your 1998 Ford
Expedition. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us concerning
any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) relating to your vehicle.

Mr. Castine, currently our records indicate that there are no open
recalls or owner notification programs on your vehicle. In the event
that we announce a program, Ford Motor Company will notify the owner of
record by mail.

TSBs are not recalls but give our dealerships information on repairs for
concerns that may arise with a specific vehicle. We do not have access
to TSBs information at this office. Our dealerships have access to this
information, if it pertains to a Ford-Lincoln-Mercury vehicle.

You may also contact The National Highway Traffic & Safety
Administration via:

Telephone: (800)424-9393 or
Internet: www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

We contacted the service manager at Chapman Ford and he advised that
their dealership would be more than happy to address any concerns you
have with your vehicle. You may contact the Service Department at (609)
646-2000 as they are in the best position to assist you.

At Ford Motor Company, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as
one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries or
concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address
them.

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.

Sincerely,
Reg
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center (ama)

What do you think about this.
I am going to reply to them with the TSB.

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98 X EB no mods.
Family Mobile

 

Castines:
Thanks for the TSB it will be a great help.
Thanks to all for your input!

 

Here is Fords reply to me sending them the TSB. I under stand that they don't have access to TSB's but he can look my truck up to see if there are any listed. Well maybe this will give me some ammo when it gets cold.

Reply toFord after with TSB.

Hey Reg, I thought there were no TSB's for Piston Slap or Engine Knock.
Can
you explain this one!!

Reply from Ford after I sent them TSB.

Dear Mr. Castine,

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company. We appreciate the time you
have taken to write us.

Mr. Castine, as we previously advised, there are no open recalls or
Owner Notification Programs (ONPs) available for your vehicle at the
present time.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) are not recalls or ONPs. TSB's give
our dealerships information on repair procedures for concerns that may
arise with a specific vehicle. As we advised, we do not have access on
TSB information at this office. That information is available through
our dealerships or The National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration
via:

Telephone: (800)424-9393 or
Internet: www.nhtsa.dot.gov.



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98 X EB no mods.
Family Mobile

 

It sounds like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing! They probably key your problem into some computer system and it spits out what to say and do. Until your problem is diagnosed properly, you are probably just spinning your wheels by contacting them again. The fact that they contacted your service manager means at least someone cares.

I had a similar situation just a month ago with my 99 Cougar. I was having a problem with squeaky brakes. My dealer said they checked their computer and could find no TSB for the problem. I asked for help at NECO (New Cougar Owners Club) and soon had replies from several Cougar owners with similar vehicles who had the same problem. They gave me the TSB number Ford had issued for the problem. I called up my dealer, gave him the number, and one week later my dealer had installed a brand new set of brakes - new rotors, softer pads...problem gone. I'd give your service department another chance, take the TSBs over to him and explain to him how you found some excellent info on your problem. That way when you bring your vehicle in he has had a chance to get up to speed on the subject.

P.S. Don't you get piston slap in the mornings when you start your vehicle, even thought it is not that cold at night? With mine it didn't matter...Summer or Winter....same thing.

[This message has been edited by ml (edited 11-23-1999).]

 

ML, Yeah I get it all the time when starting after over night or a long work day,but it only lasts about 10-15 secs. When it is cold you can realy hear it good, last about a minute and a half, and it is much louder. I am going to go back to the dealer and give them chance to hear it, I just want to have all my ducks in a row. Going to be warm until after Turkey day, and I still have a few 1000 miles left for warranty.

I was just surprised to get a response back from Ford, and the i was realy suprised when they said the same thing after i sent them the TSB. I am going to lie low until after i go back to the dealer.

Wish me Luck

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98 X EB no mods.
Family Mobile

 

Your symptoms are identical to mine...10-15 seconds in warm weather.

Lots of luck!

 

Talked to Bob at Charles Gabus Ford and my truck knocked for them on this cold morning. They have ordered a new 2000 engine and it should arrive in about a week. Thats great news. They also fixed my leaking rear window and did something to my steen-king air-con. Great service! Knock on wood!

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1999 ORP SC Medium Toreador red 5.4L 17" Centerline Prowler's Deflectashield Magnum K&N dont need anything else-its bad to the bone!

 

Crow150 do you mean Charles Gabus in DesMoines IA. I'm just up the interstate by Mason City if so we should get an Iowa F150 meeting together. Also you may want to check out the topic "Replacement 5.4l from Ford." if you have not already done so.

 

Castines - What is e-mail address for Ford you are using? What is the name of the office?

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99 XLT 4DR, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Med Graphite Capt Chairs, 4.6L, Auto, Westin Sidesteps, Ford Molded Mudflaps, E&G Aluminum Billet Grille Insert, TriGlas Cap, Perrycraft Ski Rack, K&N Filter

On Xmas list - Visteon CD-6, Pioneer TS-A6813's, Granatelli Mass Airflow Sensor, Superchip, Bilstein Shocks, PIAA Driving Lights (I don't ask for much)