Car started SMOKING, then bucking a little, now wrench light...

[tps7c]

After 16 days they finally got me a loaner car. Things are looking up LOL.

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[kilobravo]

For what it's worth, I get better and more consistent readings by pulling the dipstick up between the strut tower bar and the firewall than I do if I pull it up the easier way in front of the strut tower brace.

Interesting, Kyle. The whole "dipstick thing" is just plain weird.

 

[Cgouzoulis]

Glad it worked out. This is why I've been harping over your oil pressure since day 1. That shit was no where near normal

 

[tps7c]

THE SAGA CONTINUES!!! So guys, I got my car back last Friday, and everything seemed fine. I was going to wait a week or two to update this thread in case something went wrong - and of course with my luck it did. I was driving this afternoon to the store with a friend, kind of a spirited drive but nothing crazy. I made a left from a light onto the main highway and got on it, but nothing that would spin the tires - yet they spun, and the car fishtailed across the highway. At first I though maybe the tires were still cold (it was 95 here today lol so that was a reach) but my friend who was in front of me called and said, "there's smoke and fluid coming from under the front of your car and by your grill." I pulled over and popped the hood, and it appears the tech didn't attach the radiator hose all the way and it must have popped off. Anti-freeze was everywhere, from the engine to the right side tires/wheels/brakes, body work, etc. I'll attach a few pics of what it looked like. Then some random dude, named Wilco, shows up in a sweet BMW (he was definitely a car guy) and offered to help. Long story short, he lived a minute away and offered to bring back distilled water and the little tool that pulls the pin out of the end of the hose so you can clamp it back on properly. At this point it's holding (just distilled water in it), but now I'm worried about what else the tech didn't do correctly when installing the engine. Obviously I'm going to call the dealer and have them flush it, clean it, inspect it, etc., but I'm wondering if there's anything else you guys would do if this was your car. I trusted Ford with 96k and the car will now have been in the shop 3x within about 6 weeks or so. Not exactly a great customer experience, lol

 

[Paddles]

THE SAGA CONTINUES!!! So guys, I got my car back last Friday, and everything seemed fine. I was going to wait a week or two to update this thread in case something went wrong - and of course with my luck it did. I was driving this afternoon to the store with a friend, kind of a spirited drive but nothing crazy. I made a left from a light onto the main highway and got on it, but nothing that would spin the tires - yet they spun, and the car fishtailed across the highway. At first I though maybe the tires were still cold (it was 95 here today lol so that was a reach) but my friend who was in front of me called and said, "there's smoke and fluid coming from under the front of your car and by your grill." I pulled over and popped the hood, and it appears the tech didn't attach the radiator hose all the way and it must have popped off. Anti-freeze was everywhere, from the engine to the right side tires/wheels/brakes, body work, etc. I'll attach a few pics of what it looked like. Then some random dude, named Wilco, shows up in a sweet BMW (he was definitely a car guy) and offered to help. Long story short, he lived a minute away and offered to bring back distilled water and the little tool that pulls the pin out of the end of the hose so you can clamp it back on properly. At this point it's holding (just distilled water in it), but now I'm worried about what else the tech didn't do correctly when installing the engine. Obviously I'm going to call the dealer and have them flush it, clean it, inspect it, etc., but I'm wondering if there's anything else you guys would do if this was your car. I trusted Ford with 96k and the car will now have been in the shop 3x within about 6 weeks or so. Not exactly a great customer experience, lol

Damn man maybe it's time to find a new dealer?

 

[TeamGomez]

They’re lucky you didn’t wreck…an injury attorney’s wet dream. Glad you didn’t but could have been ugly.

When my brother’s F250 diesel grenanded with 6k miles, the dealer said they’d rebuild it. He told them he paid for a factory built truck, not a reassembled one by who knows who.

They acquiesced and he drove off the lot with a new truck.

Curious how the tranny is working.

 

[rp930]

Don’t blame for “Ford” for one technician. It happens. Everyone is capable of a mistake. Happens to the best.

 

[kilobravo]

Not exactly a great customer experience

No, not by a very long shot, Tom, UFBelievable. When I read,

"fishtailed across the highway,"

I stopped reading immediately thinking I might not want to read the rest. Thankfully it was a false alarm and you, your pax, and the car are safe. But after all this time and all your posts, I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with Rich..

Damn man maybe it's time to find a new dealer?

Do you have "another dealer" in your city/town? I hope so. We only have three Ford stores in this burg and only one of them has a trained Shelby tech. I hate the thought of having to drive a couple hours simply to have maintenance done. That said, if there wasn't a certified tech at any of the local dealers, I would make that drive and in my case, that would be San Antonio. Never looked intuit but SA is a big town and I feel sure there are multiple Shelby mechs up there.

All that was to try and take the sting out of a long drive if there are none in your location, Tom should that turn out to be the case. Not a fan of large cities but, they do have their advantages.

They’re lucky you didn’t wreck…an injury attorney’s wet dream.

Boy or boy, you're not kidding, John. Should have gone the PI attorney route myself as they all seem to wind up with fat wallets. <grin> MOF, two doors down from me is the largest home in this small subdivision..probably seven or eight thousand square foot home on five acres and guess what, it was built by a PI lawyer.

BTW, that double, solid wood front door is ten feet tall. BTW2, they also have a four or five-car detached garage in the back. The attorney is not a car guy though, drives a LexusNexus LS and her DD is an F150. They do have a Lexus LC hardtop from a few years back that's a pretty good looking ride. It's not a vert and I have only ever seen the wife driving it.

They don't want for much but they're "dog people," so I cut 'em some slack. <smile>

They acquiesced and he drove off the lot with a new truck.

There aren't too many situations in life that I dislike more than dickering or arguing with a damn car dealer and I am certain that I am not alone. Big surprise that the BS never happens when you're buying a vehicle BUT, if what you want is going to cost them even ten pesos, they turn into Mr. Scrooge.

Glad your brother won that argument John but, the BS should never have happened. The right thing to do would be to offer the customer a new vehicle right off the bat.

Curious how the tranny is working.

I am as well, Tom.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Second this. When a powertrain is completely removed from a vehicle it’s very easy for even the best techs to miss a hose clamp or connection. Even after the vehicle is run and checked a lose clamp may not raise its ughly head. Not discounting the op’s issue, but …. happens and most times there isn’t any malice or intentional neglect intended. Even on my own stuff I work on if anything major is done its a hundred miles or so before I go run it at tilt. There’s a good reason track cars get shake down runs.

Don’t blame for “Ford” for one technician. It happens. Everyone is capable of a mistake. Happens to the best.

 

[rp930]

Second this. When a powertrain is completely removed from a vehicle it’s very easy for even the best techs to miss a hose clamp or connection. Even after the vehicle is run and checked a lose clamp may not raise its ughly head. Not discounting the op’s issue, but …. happens and most times there isn’t any malice or intentional neglect intended. Even on my own stuff I work on if anything major is done its a hundred miles or so before I go run it at tilt. There’s a good reason track cars get shake down runs.

To add on:

It’s not like the technician gets to work in an exquisite workshop. It’s noisy, it’s probably cramped, it’s hot, it’s cold and there are plenty of distractions and interruptions. Doesn’t matter what brand. Some are better than others But it’s rare.

I am sorry for the OP‘s issues. Sometimes they seem to snowball on one person.

 

[WildHorse]

Don’t blame for “Ford” for one technician. It happens. Everyone is capable of a mistake. Happens to the best.

True, but, most Ford techs are morons. Severe lack of critical thinking.

 

[tps7c]

Hey guys, just thought I'd touch on a few points, and also have one question. For everyone asking about the DCT, it's been running perfectly ever since they replaced the cooler. Not even a single harsh shift or anything like that. Doesn't mean there isn't some damage that hasn't shown it's head so to speak, but I have 23 months left on the powertrain warranty and hoping to get Ford to extend that by another two years. As to the tech not having the clamp on all the way, clearly I realize there was no malice here, lol, and I get that mistakes happen. Also, I put about 200 miles on it before I let it rip.

Quick question. I've read different opinions, but is it ok to drive this with just distilled water in the radiator (not full tilt) for a few days until I can get it back in to the dealer?

Thanks guys!!

 

[Paddles]

Hey guys, just thought I'd touch on a few points, and also have one question. For everyone asking about the DCT, it's been running perfectly ever since they replaced the cooler. Not even a single harsh shift or anything like that. Doesn't mean there isn't some damage that hasn't shown it's head so to speak, but I have 23 months left on the powertrain warranty and hoping to get Ford to extend that by another two years. As to the tech not having the clamp on all the way, clearly I realize there was no malice here, lol, and I get that mistakes happen. Also, I put about 200 miles on it before I let it rip.

Quick question. I've read different opinions, but is it ok to drive this with just distilled water in the radiator (not full tilt) for a few days until I can get it back in to the dealer?

Thanks guys!!

I'm no expert but I think I would avoid running it too much on distilled only. Doesn't the coolant provide lubrication to the water pump?

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I wouldn’t go do a track day with just distilled water in it, but otherwise there aren’t any issue’s with you driving the car till they get it back in. I doubt the entire system got purged with the hose coming off. You most likely just have a diluted mix.

Hey guys, just thought I'd touch on a few points, and also have one question. For everyone asking about the DCT, it's been running perfectly ever since they replaced the cooler. Not even a single harsh shift or anything like that. Doesn't mean there isn't some damage that hasn't shown it's head so to speak, but I have 23 months left on the powertrain warranty and hoping to get Ford to extend that by another two years. As to the tech not having the clamp on all the way, clearly I realize there was no malice here, lol, and I get that mistakes happen. Also, I put about 200 miles on it before I let it rip.

Quick question. I've read different opinions, but is it ok to drive this with just distilled water in the radiator (not full tilt) for a few days until I can get it back in to the dealer?

Thanks guys!!

 

[The Chairman]

I'm no expert but I think I would avoid running it too much on distilled only. Doesn't the coolant provide lubrication to the water pump?

Race cars run with just water all the time as anti-freeze is bad on a track surface.
No issues running water for a while.
Iron blocks can rust but our engines are all aluminum.
When I go to the track, my spare gallon of water is RO from the house system.

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