Help me with my car situation... (Ford related) EDIT: UPDATE 6/27

[Pacfanweb]

<<Also - do you mean cracked head? cause they wouldn't replace the engine for a blown gasket>>

Actually, they would. When an engine blows a head gasket, the coolant frequently mixes with the oil, causing major damage to the bearings. Since dealers don't bother rebuilding engines much anymore, replacement is the preferred alternative.

 

[jemcam]

This is common with my Contour because they used plastic blades in the water pump. Well I'm pretty observant and I didn't see it overheating. Furthermore my dad took it in to the dealership and he did not notice anything, and that's almost a 45 minute drive. Therefore I can conclude we were not overheating. And it it had been a cracked gasket, there would have been smoke or other unusual byproducts in the exhaust. Were there? Nope.

Not neccesarily. You won't see a rise in temperature at the light or gauge if there is an air bubble in the engine block or manifold. If no hot coolant is touching the sensor, it won't read hot.

Also, a leaking head gasket or cracked head does not always cause the coolant to be burned in the cylinder. It can go into the crankcase, where it will make your oil look like chocolate milk.

Had you ever noticed any coolant loss prior to this problem?

 

[Jamestl]

Don't know what to tell you right now, but i'd sell that thing as soon as it's fixed...

 

[jemcam]

Most states require 90 days or 4000 miles after the last repair. So, if you had something replaced or repaired under warranty at 35999 miles, the warranty for that repair would be 39999 or 90 days whichever comes first.

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<Most states require 90 days or 4000 miles after the last repair. So, if you had something replaced or repaired under warranty at 35999 miles, the warranty for that repair would be 39999 or 90 days whichever comes first>>

All Ford parts are warranteed for 12 months or 12000 miles from the date of the repair. I don't think his car has ever left the shop, so this is still technically the first repair.

 

[Brutuskend]

This is why I've never owned a car newer then 1972. If I can't fix it myself I won't buy it!! And I'm a ex aircraft mech. ex auto mech. Still sounds like a fuel injection problem to me. Or possibly emissions control problem.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Fix Or Repair Daily

 

[351Cleveland]

Soybomb-

Actually you CAN replace a cylinder by sleeving it, but I SERIOUSLY doubt that happened here. Sounds like timing, but hey, what do I know. I would say that they aren't putting something together right. have they checked to make sure the exhaust isnt clogged? Maybe someone stuck a banana in your tailpipe. Maybe the catalytic converter broke up and is blocking the pipe. I dunno, jsut tossing out ideas... I am not too proficient on these new-fangled cars.

 

[beer]

updated

 

[snakesnfrogs]

damn, your car is haunted---that's the only thing that would make sense at this point. They've pretty much rebuilt the car and it's still got the problem---you're definitely handling it a lot better than I would.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Doesn't surprise me that the Ford rep can't fix it, either.

BTW, the fuel pump CAN be intermittent, but it's usually the other way around....they run fine until they get hot, THEN quit.

Every now and then you get a car that absolutely eats you for lunch while you try to fix it. No diagnostic routine or pinpoint test in any book will find the problem, then it's just down to you and your experience and some guesswork to get it fixed.

We have an Escape right now that stalls when put in reverse, mostly when cold. Been here for over 2 weeks already, although a good portion of that has been waiting of parts, not actual working time. We have a transmission ordered for it now, I think that actually may be the problem.

 

[beer]

Pacfanweb -

I'm not saying I'm mad. But there is a long way from two weeks to six weeks. I really just wonder when they're going to see it as a sunk investment to continue working on it. It's always &quot;one more thing, this will do it...&quot; but eventually it isn't cost effective. Right now they're thinking &quot;Well we've replaced almost everything in the system, eventually we'll hit it, right?&quot; and I don't like that mindset even though that's what they have to do. They've had that mindset for a month now. I am getting frustrated because it takes time every day to get in touch with her plus it's costing them a fortune. Alone a rental car - a grand prix - even after their discount (they outsource to Alamo Rental) would still be $25 or $30 a day - that's times 30 days equals $900 alone....

It's just frustrating. One of Scott Adam's (Dilbert) signs that &quot;You are an idiot because...&quot; is that you failize to realize a sunk investment. Quote:

&quot;You are an idiot because....
For your convenience, I have circled the brain malfunction(s) that most closely resemble(s) the one(s) you recently made on the topic of (fill in topic): ______________________________

[...]

22. Unclear on the concept of sunk costs

Example: We've spent millions developing a water-powered pogo stick. We can't stop investing now because it will all be wasted.&quot;

Fits this well.

 

[Cyberian]

<< Um, you cannot replace a Cylinder. Cylinders are forged into the block. >>





<< BTW, in some engines cylinder liners are used. Normally the engine is an alloy block with steel or iron liners. I'm not sure of this motor, but it is possible to 'change the cylinders. >>





<< Not on most modern cars. Nowadays the cylinder is separate from the block.
>>



I haven't worked on cars for a while, but isn't the 'cylinder' the hole that is bored in the block, regardless of sleeving?

 

[beer]

sigh...same old story today...

 

[chiwawa626]

Fixed
Or
Repaired
Daily
<<for five weeks so far that is>>

 

[beer]

Hey, backwards it spells DROF - Driver Returns on Foot