I ordered this truck months ago... exactly what I wanted. Driving along on a 55mph road today when the truck just spontaneously starts surging and sputtering, check engine light flashing.

The dealer just called... no compression on No. 3 cylinder, but still in the early stages of diagnosis. Not good.

What can I do? Assuming the worst (scorched cylinder, unseated rings, etc)... am I in a position to demand a new motor? I know Warranty will cover it, just not sure I'm real excited about driving a truck with 700 miles and off to a bad start this soon...

Advice! Ford Tech guys (if there are any here) any ideas???

-Matt

 

Bottom line, you can't "demand" anything except for it to be "fixed". The decision on whether to rebuild or replace will rest solely with Ford.

 

generally gas engines are not repaired at the dealer aside from top end and timing components, if infact somthing went wrong in that hole and the cylinder head is ok it will get a new shortblock.

could be as simple as a broken valve spring, more likely aswell.

 

Sorry to hear of the misfortune. Hopefully Ford will make it right.

Which engine do you have?

 

You won't be getting a new engine unless there an absolute catastrophic failure. There is likely a valve spring issue or something in the top end. You would have heard it if it was a busted piston (sounds like a crow bar in a metal trashcan). They will repair the head and reassemble.

 

What motor do you have?

 

Like others have said I bet you broke a valve spring. Worst case scenario you will be getting a new head on that side of the engine. More than likely they will just replace the valve and spring though, just depends how much stuff was damaged.

 

For what it's worth, I had a 1998 Dodge Caravan 3.3l V6. The odometer just turned 2000 kilometers as we were driving back from a family picnic and the thing quit, had to have it towed to the dealer. After 2 weeks of diagnosis they found that the camshaft had broken in the center!! They had a hard time figuring it out, because the motor would not start yet they had good compression, spark and fuel flow.

Anyways long story short they told me they were going to get all the parts and build a new bottom end of the engine and reuse the orifignal heads. I argued with the dealer, sent letters to Chrysler asking for a new van. Told them I didn't pay 32 some odd thousand dollars (CDN) for a new van with a rebuilt engine. They said that's what I would get. The dealer service manager told me that the engine they would put together in their garage would be better than the one that came from the factory. After a total of 8 weeks at the dealer we finally got the van back. (It took so long becasue they had to order engine parts from all over the US and Canada!) I didn't have anymore trouble with the engine, we kept the van for 4 years no troubles.

It is maddening when a brand new vehicle coughs like that. Good luck!

 

Matt;

That sucks, just your luck right?? Give the dealer a chance to shine. If the dealer doesn't make it right , then stir up a fuss. It amazes me how many of these vehicles Ford can produce with few or no problems, considering the complexity of them now. If you consider how many different parts are assembled by umpteen different workers, I marvel at the high degree of perfection they can achieve.

Keep us posted as to your progress /satisfaction - we all will be watching and hoping for a good resolution for you!!

BJ

 

Thanks guys.

Truck is a 5.4L.

Breakdown was last Wednesday, as of today, still not repaired. Took way too long to diagnose (IMO). Turns out to be a valve spring (as some of you predicted). Should have it back tomorrow... hopefully.

Driving a loaner Ford 500 (Taurus) in the meantime, FWD w/ bald tires where I live/work is NOT good...

-Matt

 

If is any major damage current year models may get a new motor not reman as to no parts are out there. Thats how we do trans as well. Good luck to you just might take some time to fix since its so new.

 

Sorry didnt read above post

 

Started my '10 XLT this am and I noticed it sounded like it was 'chuggin'.

Took it for a short ride and feels like it's hitting on 7 cylinders.

Now the engine light is flashing (the manual states that indicates an engine misfire) so I know what I'm gonna do tomorrow.

Little over 10,000 miles in 15 months. Never been back to the stealer except for service until tomorrow.

4.6L, 3V.

 

Mine ended up being a bad injector.

No one has one here in Danxville, so I don't get my XLT back till tomorrow.

 

wow, only 700 miles on a 2010 model. You don't drive much.
I have 41,000 on my 2010. Don't have any engine issues that I can tell. There are plenty of other issues, but so far the drive train has been good.

I had a 2007 Silverado with a 5.3 and it dropped a lifter at 6500 miles. They just replaced the part, and I drove it another 110,000 miles without an issue, so I think you will be in good shape with a valve spring.