So I had a thread a bit ago detailing some of the symptoms of the problems my car was having…extremely rough idle, car shaking, check engine light on, runs and drives like crap, exhaust note horrible sounding…
My local Ford dealer has had the car for over a week now. So far they have replaced the camshaft oil solenoid, camshaft phasers and the oil control housing unit, all to no avail.
They told me that they were at the point where they are pretty sure that I am losing oil pressure beyond a certain point where they cannot actually get a reading to confirm it and so they are now “going by the book” and are taking steps at the directive of Ford’s specialists.
Today the service guy calls me and tells me that they went ahead and took the engine partly apart and he said that my cylinders are scored (!!!) and that he’s ordered new ones.
I asked him “Well, do you know what is causing this yet? If you put new cylinders in the car won’t they get ruined the same way if the issue isn’t resolved?”
He replied by telling me that he is “almost certain” that it’s my tensioner gasket that is blown, which is why I’m not getting oil pressure (or proper lubrication, apparently) to that part of the engine.
Does any of this make any sense? I am at the point where I am equal parts happy and afraid. Happy because I am getting a partial engine rebuild for free…and afraid because this same dealership displayed some incompetence regarding this issue as well as the fact that I am afraid that they will miss something like maybe the lifters also being scored (maybe the cams too?) and that my car will never be the same again. It’s my baby and only has 39k miles on it.
Apparently this is a highly unusual issue for the 4.6L engine, according to him. Anyone want to talk me off the ledge?
Perhaps it will reach a point where the whole engine needs to be replaced. This is all warranty work, and they were nice enough to put me in a Ecoboost F-150 to drive in the meantime…but I worry.
Mine’s a 2008. I think the difference between the 1983 motor and the 4.6 motor in 2008 is significant. I cannot believe the engine trouble I am having give that Ford has manufactured this engine from about 1992 until about forever. I would have assumed bulletproof status for a 3V pushrod engine at this point.
It’s not a pushrod engine, it’s SOHC. that said, I’ve not heard of this happening on a 4.6 of any vintage. though I’m surprised they’re not putting in an entire short block. I forget, are you the original owner?
I am not the original owner. What does “putting in an entire short block” mean? I want to present evidence to Ford in case they try to shortcut this repair.
I have already decided that I am going to just keep taking the car back to them while it’s under the 5/50 powertrain warranty if anything seems wrong with it at this point. I assume you mean that they should replace a larger part of the engine than they are doing at this point.
“Short block” means the engine block loaded with crankshaft, rods, pistons, and all rings and bearings. “Long block” is that with the addition of complete cylinder head assemblies. The 3V 4.6 in the Mustang has an aluminum block with dry iron cylinder sleeves. I can’t imagine that it would cost Ford/the dealer less to re-sleeve your block rather than getting a short block.
“Remove/replace.” Unfortunately Senegoid doesn’t realize that R&R in automotive parlance means removing a part and reinstalling the same part. Removing a part and replacing it with a new part is called “renewing.”
I can only pray that Ford does the right thing here. I don’t want to have to force the issue if my car doesn’t run right upon their return of the vehicle to me. I really don’t want to have to take it back, EVER…but I will if I perceive anything wrong. Jesus this issue is wracking my nerves because I have a note on this car. I really love the thing, but if it’s never going to be the same again then I don’t want it.
Like jz said, this is unusual, and resleeving the block is an unusual fix. The service department is going to have to outsource the work to a machine shop, and you don’t know what you’re going to get back. I’d expect a new short block at this point.
Find out more about what they’re doing exactly. The Car Talk guys are big on contacting the regional Ford service rep. The service techs work for the dealer, the regional rep works for Ford and has more authority to get you replacement parts.