Well, after two shops, and 5 attempts, the bastards finally found the problem. They said the factory had the wire loom for the last 2 O2 sensors crossed, so they were basically shorted and reading "backwards".

Ticket reads:

Abnormal Time Trace Wiring For Short
EEC Diagnostics
Pin Point Test
NGS DCL Display
NGS Recorder
Wiring Assembly Repair

Now that it's fixed, I hope my milage goes up!!! I can also, feel a little difference in power, as I peeled outta the lot.

I just made an appt. with Bill Woods again to have them test the CATS, (which they said wasn't possible before) and individually test the O2 sensors. I told the they screwed up...now I wonder if I need to have the Fact. Zone Rep. present?

Final Question: Could this have damaged my CATS? How do I know? How do I get them to replace them? Should I raise hell over this? To Ford, or to the Service Dept., or both?

Thanks again everyone!!!

-AR


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2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black[*] 4.6L Triton V8 HPI[*] 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle[*] Keyless[*] Premium Audio CD

Mods:[*] K&N Cold Airbox / Throttle Body Mod.[*] Flowmaster 40 (3" x 20" "Turn-Down") [*] Cranked Torsion Bars[*] APC XENON PLASMA Super Whites[*] Bugshield[*] Bedliner[*] Ventshades[*] "Light Argent" 4X4 Off-Road Decals[*] K&N & Flowmaster Stickers (Under the Hood)

Audio:[*] Rockford Fosgate G360A2 Punch Amp[*] JL 12W3-D2 (JL ProWedge Box)

Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)

arobbins@mail.liberty.k12.mo.us

[This message has been edited by Jackal (edited 11-29-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Jackal (edited 11-29-2000).]

 

Do your cats still stink? It is a very good idea to have them tested regardless of how they smell now.After 5 attempts to fix it, the factory zone rep should be present.Raise hell to everybody that screwed up.They should be willing to work with you with the factory rep. in attendance.

 

Has a very, very, very, very faint smell still, but not bad. Just swithed back to 87 octane...I have two weeks till my next trip...guess I'll get the rep. involved.

-AR

 

Hang in there... I have dealt many years with Bill Wood's service department (don't ask me why - I guess I assume they are all that way and put up with it.) Only when you stay on them do they do anything. You must be firm but rational. My buddy who is somewhat of a hothead had the police show up there becuase he started yelling and cursing at the service manager - not good. As big of a pain as it is, be a thorn in their side... you will usually get you way.

Good luck!

A question for other members though: Why do dealerships blow off their customer's concerns? They don't make money on warranty work unless they are actually wrenching on the truck. I would think they would have offered Jackal a whole new exhaust system just to see if it fixed his concern. What do they have to lose?

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Supercrew 4x4 Lariat
Solid Black
5.4 Triton
3.55 Limited Slip
6750# GVWR Package
Skid Plates
Moon Roof
Sliding Rear Window
Trailer Tow - Class III
Cargo Cage
Grey Leather Captains Chairs
6-Disc CD Changer

Mods:
305/70/16 ATS, AR Atlas 16x8
Chrome Westin Steps

Planned: Dual Exhaust, Toneau Cover and Expedition Console Mod.

Another great Ford truck site -www.fseries.com

Truck Pictures

 

Thanks for the info man...I'll get em' one way or another. My uncle has worked at Bill Woods since he was 16!!! (or was it 18?)Now he's well into his 30's.

P.S. Did you see my post to you about what muffler shop to use? Budget is GREAT!!! I swear they have to be the best in town. I've even called them several times about my exhaust smell.

-AR

 

I don't think there's any real damage. If you're still worried have a IM test station read your exhaust gases. Example: If your engine was running too rich, it may take some time to burn up the carbon buildup in your combustion chambers and cats. Give it a week or two and the smell should go away. But honestly, there's really nothing you should be worried about.

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1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 "DF" series, K&N, Superchip, WMS Velocity Tube, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear swaybar, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W), Clear Side Lens Mod w/ 9006 (55W bulbs). 265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart. On the way: Performance Accessories 3" body lift, 33/12.5/17 ProComps, GSP grille guard and more KC's



[This message has been edited by Jupiterak (edited 11-29-2000).]

 

Carbon build up? Isn't that what causes the CATS to clog up? Shouldn't I clean the combustion chambers with myself at that point with some intake cleaner into the "break booster" vaccume tube? ...or should I leave it? Does Ford offer a de-carb service? I could try to get the zone rep. to make them do this stuff.

-AR

 

Jackal,

Sorry, I didn't mean to get you worried. I was just giving an example. But if you suspect your truck was running rich when you had the O2 sensor problems. A quick way to check to check is to take alook at one or two spark plugs and check them for a black sooty buildup.

 

Thanks man...I'll have them check it out.

-AR

 

Jackal, I worked in customer service for a few years, and if there is one thing that I have learned it is this "THE SQUEEKY WHEEL GET THE GREASE". Translation: DO NOT SETTLE! If these ******** say anything that you dont like, talk to the service manager, and then the zone rep. Go up that ladder until you get the answer you want(if you really think your right). That zone rep does not want to hear you b!tch and will tell them to fix it just to get you off his case. If he doesnt, I'm sure the zone rep has a boss. In the cust. service shop I worked in, it would make me mad when I would (correctly) tell them no and then they would say those magic words 'Let me speak to your suprvisor' ahhh *****, And dont you know, that spinless ***** wouldnt last 15 seconds before 'Ok Mr Smith, we'll take care of that for you.' I learned alot from that job, dont take no for an answer! This is MHO learned from the trials and tribulations of life, for what ever that is worth.

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1997 F150 4.2 4x2 X-CAB Flareside Black
With all of that out of the way, lets get to the good stuff:
STEREO: Special thanks to Josh & Popps @ www.radio-active.org [*]H/Unit SONY Xplod ES CDX-M750[*] F/Speakers Rockford's Fanatic Q Components FNQ2514(THEY SUCK AND ARE NOW GONE)[*] NEW F/speakers are Memphis studios 5X7[*] R/Speakers Rockford's FRC1257 5x7[*] Sub:PheonixGold XS 10" in prefab box under bench seat w/o lift.[*] Memphis Amp ST3004 with front channels running seperates and rear channel running the sub. 5x7 running off H/U
I'm going to change my whole set up.
Under D'Hood:[*] Only a K&N filter.
Its lame, you have to start somewhere right? Trust me, I dream BIG.
On D'Skin:[*] Bug Deflector[*] One Vent Visior, other fell off[*] windshield sticker for www.radio-active.org [*] Hyperwhite headlight bulbs[*] Clear quarter & back glass for an even tint. Thanks Progressive![*] Custom door dings from some A$$HOLE in a parking lot on both sides.
At the moment I am running pretty stock on the outside, but the truck is clean and I have even BIGGER ideas for the outside. SC just got one step closer a lottery so maybe there is still hope.
LINKS:
www.radio-active.org
www.roadarmor.com I said I have big dreams right?
www.nookie.com

 

Hehehe...thanks man...I'll let him know what's up when the *** calls me on Sat.

-AR

 

Now that I have someone's attention in MI, what should I have them check out when I take it in on the 9th.? If they do a back pressure test on the CATS, it'll be off, because I have the Flowmaster 40 with a turn-down. How will they know if their bad? How will they check for carbon built-up? HOw will they know if the excessive fuel hasn't washed down the pistons and worn them? I may be asking too much of them, but they are the ones who let it go for 4,200 miles...and I don't want a NEW truck running like chit because of their screw up. I have nothing to compaire to, since it's been broke all along.

-AR

 

Congratulations on being noticed. Since you have 8 days and counting I would start a new thread on what tests should be done. I am good at communications but when is comes to all this techie crap I am clueless. I'm not sure the right people will see your problem way down here, if you know what I mean. Have subject read "I only have 8 days!!" or something like that. OK, shutting up now. GOOD LUCK AND GIVE'M HELL!

 

Hahaha...thanks man. I consulted http://www.allexperts.com . Here's the answer I got:

http://www.allexperts.com/answerv.as...tionID=1020951

Does this sound right? Does anyone have anything to add? Thanks!!!

-AR

[This message has been edited by Jackal (edited 12-01-2000).]

 

Jackal, that site is pretty cool, I will have to remember that. What that guy said makes since. sounds right. Look at it this way, now you can fly up and down the hwy and do burnouts. If a cop says anything you can tell him your just burning up your cats. Hopefully he's not a cat person.