I bought a new Y2K F150 SC 5.4 Ltr XLT last Friday. On Saturday my wife noticed oil stains in the driveway. I looked underneth the truck and saw oil leaking around the oil pan. I hoped it was just a pan gasket problem. I took the truck to the dealer on Monday (180 miles on the odometer). I called them later in the day and they said it was the timing gear cover gasket, they said they had to order the gasket and would
call me on Tues. On Tuesday they called to say that the block had a hairline crack and that they would have to replace the engine with a new one. The new engine will be installed in one week. I raised a little cain, but not too much. The dealer said he made an effort to get a buyback deal for me but he said Ford would not do it. They have offered a loaner and a 75K, 5 year extended warranty. Just a warning to all you new 5.4
liter engine buyers, there are some bad engines out there, so when you go to buy, take a good look underneth. They also said
the crack was caused by the air compressor
bolts being torqued too much.

 

First let me say that I can only imagine how furious you must be with that junk engine. If you're like me, you get ill just thinking of having some monkey fondling your new baby.

There were over 850,000 of those engines built last year alone -- and you're one of the (un)lucky ones to get a junker.

I didn't notice whether you're a new member of this board or not - but there have been several members that have had very satisfactory engine replacements -- and have commented on the excellent workmanship.

I only hope that in the balance of things, you get a good mechanic who loves Fords as much as you do.

Regards,



------------------
Y2K™ Jim

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I would demand a 100k extended warrenty and a complimetary maintainance contract through 60k. Ask and ye shall recieve!

Best of luck!

------------------
2001 SuperCrew 4x4 "Mighty Whitey" Lariat "Loaded". Oxford White (No Stickers, Yuck!)
-Ultra Polish Alum. Wheels(type 160)
-BFG 285 R16 ATs
-Billet Grill
-Stainless Werks Nerf Bars
-KC Driving Lights (in Grill)
-WMS Volocity Tube
-K&N Filter
-Husky Mats, front & rear
-Husky Mud Flaps
-GPS (on board)
-Wired for phone (no accidents!)
-SnugTop, SnugLid Tonneau
-Killer Tint
-FlowMaster 40, 3" catback w/ 4" Tip
-AmsOil 5w40 & Filter

To Come:
-Superchips, flip chip
-Rancho RS 9000's & kit
-Painted bug def (white)
-Brake Dust Cvrs (painted white)

 

I'd probably drive it through the showroom
window<but that's just my suggestion.lol

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 

What bothers me about the situation is that the dealer HAD TO KNOW about it before you bought it! Someone knew about it!
A new vehicle should have some laws that require disclosure like real estate!

That first speck of bird crap is usually followed by a week of gulping Pepto-Bismal... A new engine spewing oil would send me to St. Elizabeths (where Hinkley is!)...

What I usually do, now, when I buy a new car/truck.... I get it home, put on my boots, get about three steps away from the truck, and with ALL my weight, I kick a giant dent into my drivers side door.... There, its used! Now I dont have to worry about the birds and the dings! Its OFFICIALLY a truck!
Its ALL part of the healing and dealing process!



------------------
Rand

98 Ford Expedition 4X4 XLT
5.4, 3.73s, 17" wheels,
Homemade 3" "COLD" Air-Box
mod, SuperChip, Amsoil
everywhere but tranny, Perma-
Cool combo 6 pass trans/oil
cooler (FQR 5.4 @ 50K)

 

Rand,
HHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Love the story about the "boots"....I wish I was that brave and could just get it over with....Its pure torture waiting for the first door ding'.


------------------
1999 F-150 XLT SuperCab 2WD, Gold/Tan, 5.4L
MFG date 5/99
Mobile1/802s

 

Man, I feel for you. I would have died if something like that happened to me. Yeah, I don't think it would be out of line to at least demand a 100k mile warranty. Good luck!

I have never thought of that <me says while looking for my boots>! HAHAHAHAH j/k That is funny as hell!


------------------
2000 F150 XL 4.2 Auto Red&Silver/Grey
98 SVT Contour #4055 Silver/Blue
88 Mustang coupe 7.79 @ 88mph 1/8 mile

 

This does not sound good. I have a 99 SC 5.4 I purchased in 12/98, and I noticed oil spots in the driveway and it appears to be the pan. Also, after shutting off the truck, there is a "hot" smell - looks like oil dripping onto exhaust manifolds. I can't get my truck in for 2 more weeks, I am not looking forward to it....

BTW, now the weather is cooler in the morning, it sounds like I may have piston slap too!!!

------------------
firsttimeFord
99 SC 4x4 5.4 3.73LS

 

I Love my 4.6L more and more everyday!!

I have a buddy up here in Canada that has run into the same crack problem with his 5.4L.... Out comes the new engine and in goes another new engine!!!

Do not take any crap from your dealer....my buddy drove his truck up to the front show room, screemed up and down in front of some potential ford buyers and said fix it here is my phone number, call me when its fixed!

 

Hey guys settle down, Your getting a new motor--how do I get one? The warrenty is part of the reason you bought the new truck, isn't it? Just think it could of happened to your old truck and you would have been stuck with the bill? And by the way the dealer probly didn't know about the prob with the oil leak--do you know how many new trucks they go through--they don't have time to check every engine for an oil leak and if they did why would they sell it to a customer--they know it will only come back to them with an unhappy customer crashing through the showroom doors.

------------------
98 f150 4.6 auto 4x4 supercab-short box/bright red & black/6 disk cd changer/ dynomax cat back/k&n fipk/super chip/lund taillight covers/clear corner lens/factory fog lamps/pace edwards box cover/ultra wheels/LT265-75-16 BFG/ westin nerf bars/steel horse billit grill & bumper insert/reflex shocks/bosch plat. plus 4/accel wires/auto start/left hand grab handle/skidoo summit 700 high mark/FORD DEALERSHIP

 

You should check your state's Lemon Law. Ours basically says if its in the shop for 30 or more days, or if its in the shop for the same thing 4 or more times, then you have a valid claim. The first step is filing the claim with Ford and going through arbitration before filing suit.
A friend of mine had a new F-250 deisel that was making a little too much noise. The second dealership heard the noise. They discovered an out-of-line injector. The piston chamber was severely scored due to lack of lubrication, so the engine had to be replaced. To remove the engine, a support had to be cut.
To make a long story a little shorter, he took pictures, filed his arbitration complaint, argued that he paid for a new truck, not a rebuilt truck, and they gave him a new F-250. He did not have to file suit.
If you'll settle for a new engine and a 100K ESP, ask for a new truck first. Aim at their head(s) - their aiming at your feet.

[This message has been edited by crewboss (edited 09-29-2000).]

 

There is no way in hell I would settle for a new engine on a truck with 180 miles on it. I would demand a new truck. I wouldn't take the dealers word that Ford has said no new truck. Find out for yourself. An experience like this would make me question Ford's quality.

 

Very sorry to hear about your bad engine! Sometimes this happens. Like wtd said though, I would not have settled for a new engine either with only 180 miles. My 10/99 Y2k truck had 4,800 miles, 6 months old, and it had paint flaws on the roof that started to show, under the clearcoat...from the factory. Ford agreed to assist the dealership with $4K to trade in my truck and order me a brand new one at no cost. I guess it depends on the dealer.

I have owned 3 - 5.4L trucks myself..never a problem (except my 98 died once around 16,000 miles) and two of them have been Y2K models. I guess I have been lucky.

Best of luck!

------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, FORD black tubular cab steps, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil and filter

 

I know it's a pain... go for the 100K ESP and Service... DEMAND it! That's a crock... something like that shouldn't even come CLOSE to making it to the dealer, let alone the customer. Not a chance! Call Ford, write letters, and go straight up the chain of command! Until you are happy, nobody at Ford should be either.
-Joe-


------------------
98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)
Deposit on '00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Sunroof, currently missing the fuel filler door, but they're working on that..

 

Well Tex that just bites. Like others have said:

Your back up plan if they're non-cooperative on the new engine thing is compiling a paper trail for a lemon law case against them.

If you are persistent enough though and talk to enough people at Ford, I would think you could find someone willing to give you a new truck (that works) AND a 100k mi. ESP for free. Gee, it's the LEAST they could do.

If that was me, I'd almost be driving a 5.9L Dodge truck by now.

Of course, I'm not. I love this 97 I just picked up. Except for wear and tear suspension upgrades, it's still all there and all together in one piece.

I had a 98 mustang with a weird shifting quirk that took 3 trip into service, and a letter to the service manager before they finally replace the entire transmission.

Stick to your guns and make them come around to your point of view.

------------------
97 XLT SC w/63k mi. 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, avg. 17.2 MPG w/ Goodyear GA 255/75/16's
future mods:BFG 285/75/16's, Trans-go shift kit,
80-90k mi. mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
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