2018 GT - New Short Block

[baja695]

So my 2018 Mustang GT with 13k miles is slated to get a new short block. It all started with a noise that I thought was coming from the transmission. That thread is here: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/2018-mustang-gt-transmission-noise.105257/#post-2393243

When my dealership finally recognized that the noise I was hearing isn't normal, they dug into the transmission under the impression it was the throw out bearing. It wasn't the throw out bearing, and this is when things got interesting...

Dealership calls me to let me know it isn't the throw out bearing, says that Ford told them to "tear the motor down", but I was given no further details as to what that meant. I give them the go-ahead. Dealership calls me an hour later and tells me they ordered me a new short block. I was shocked at how painless and casual they just decided that I needed a new heart. The reason I got as to why was "when we spoke with Ford, they told us (the dealership) to just order a new short block if we hear any weird noises."

Sounds a lot to me like an imminent recall that Ford doesn't want to issue...

Has anybody else experienced anything like this? Is there anything else I should be looking out for that I'm not thinking of? Would something like this effect my clutch?

So far, my dealership has been incredibly accommodating and reassuring. I just want to make sure this fix takes care of as close to everything as possible...

Sponsored

 

[Condor1970]

Personally, I would want to know the exact cause before I let them tear it all apart. But, that's just me.

So, exactly how long do you have to wait?

 

[Dfeeds]

I did. Ford told my dealer to inspect for excessive play in the crankshaft and, even if none is found, to replace the short block anyway. So my engine is being swapped out, as we speak, without any definitive reason. The symptoms were a dull thudding sound at idle that got louder when warm, and metal in the oil filter. Here's the thread https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...nocking-authorized-engine-replacement.110789/

It took a week to get the short block, and apparently it's going to take another 2 for the head gaskets. I opened a case up with Ford, as per the service manager's advice, and have started the buyback process. I'm not sure if I will go through with it completely. My case handler told me it's better to get the processing started while I wait, because it takes a while, and then cancel later if I want, opposed to waiting for the car to get done and then having to wait. I was also given the option for a key for key (less than 1k miles on initial diagnosis), but Ford will probably try to make me swap mine out with the sister car to mine (same package, trim, build date, initial mileage) that's still sitting on the lot, and I'm not sure I want that car. The video of the sister car is also in my forum post, if you want to hear a 2019 GT at idle, with 3 miles on it. Part of me says to take the new car that hasn't been torn down, but the other part of me just doesn't want the headache. Plus, the new engine may have a better chance of being good, then again it could not. I have no idea.

I'm also worried about the fact that my car has been at the dealer for over a month, sitting in their shop. It could just be paranoia but I've worked in a couple of auto shops and to say there's some less than careful people is an understatement. This whole thing has just been stressful. It's hardly want I was hoping my first new car experience would be. In any case, best of luck with the new engine! Let us know how it runs, I'll be doing the same when I get mine.

 

[showbbq]

I'd want to know why they're replacing it. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Fatguy]

I did. Ford told my dealer to inspect for excessive play in the crankshaft and, even if none is found, to replace the short block anyway. So my engine is being swapped out, as we speak, without any definitive reason. The symptoms were a dull thudding sound at idle that got louder when warm, and metal in the oil filter. Here's the thread https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...nocking-authorized-engine-replacement.110789/

It took a week to get the short block, and apparently it's going to take another 2 for the head gaskets. I opened a case up with Ford, as per the service manager's advice, and have started the buyback process. I'm not sure if I will go through with it completely. My case handler told me it's better to get the processing started while I wait, because it takes a while, and then cancel later if I want, opposed to waiting for the car to get done and then having to wait. I was also given the option for a key for key (less than 1k miles on initial diagnosis), but Ford will probably try to make me swap mine out with the sister car to mine (same package, trim, build date, initial mileage) that's still sitting on the lot, and I'm not sure I want that car. The video of the sister car is also in my forum post, if you want to hear a 2019 GT at idle, with 3 miles on it. Part of me says to take the new car that hasn't been torn down, but the other part of me just doesn't want the headache. Plus, the new engine may have a better chance of being good, then again it could not. I have no idea.

I'm also worried about the fact that my car has been at the dealer for over a month, sitting in their shop. It could just be paranoia but I've worked in a couple of auto shops and to say there's some less than careful people is an understatement. This whole thing has just been stressful. It's hardly want I was hoping my first new car experience would be. In any case, best of luck with the new engine! Let us know how it runs, I'll be doing the same when I get mine.

Until Ford issues information on what exactly the problem is and the VIN numbers involved I would stay away from a replacement car. Start the buyback and get out.


Guys up here in Canada are getting rebuilt engines and we don’t have lemon laws like in the States. We just have to take it up the ass. The only good news is that dealers up here seemed to have stopped bringing up the GTs and are concentrating on upscale Ecoboosts. The whole thing stinks to high hell!


Meanwhile there was a big GM plant closure announcement up here as well as in the States. The reasons are giving up on IC cars and going electric - and that is literally from the horses mouth. So me thinks engine design is left to the B team and then customers are the quality control guinea pigs and here is the result. The A team is now in the electric car designs. They should have left the Mustang as is until retirement of the engine.

 

[18P51GT]

I can totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m a machinist and a bit of anal-retentive perfectionist. My car is also in for a transplant. Be patient and cross your digits. You’ll know soon enough if it has worked out. Either way, it’s under warranty. Worse case, do a buy back. That’s my plan if it doesn’t pan out.

 

[Dfeeds]

I can totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m a machinist and a bit of anal-retentive perfectionist. My car is also in for a transplant. Be patient and cross your digits. You’ll know soon enough if it has worked out. Either way, it’s under warranty. Worse case, do a buy back. That’s my plan if it doesn’t pan out.

I know. I just want my damn car back at this point. I didn't buy a 2019 Mustang GT to get stuck driving around in a fucking Taurus. It's like having an itch that can't be scratched.

 

[Dfeeds]

Until Ford issues information on what exactly the problem is and the VIN numbers involved I would stay away from a replacement car. Start the buyback and get out.


Guys up here in Canada are getting rebuilt engines and we don’t have lemon laws like in the States. We just have to take it up the ass. The only good news is that dealers up here seemed to have stopped bringing up the GTs and are concentrating on upscale Ecoboosts. The whole thing stinks to high hell!


Meanwhile there was a big GM plant closure announcement up here as well as in the States. The reasons are giving up on IC cars and going electric - and that is literally from the horses mouth. So me thinks engine design is left to the B team and then customers are the quality control guinea pigs and here is the result. The A team is now in the electric car designs. They should have left the Mustang as is until retirement of the engine.

Considering the possibility that Ford threw their B team engineers at the coyote for one last hurrah, while the A team is working on the hybrid, is unfortunately easy to do. It's been the case in the digital industry for a while. As an avid PC gamer, I can't tell you how many games I see come up, for full price, that are clearly rushed or not finished. The consumer is the guinea pig, but god forbid said consumer wants to torrent a game to see what it's like first. Doing such a thing is considered "stealing," but it's totally acceptable to sell the consumer an unfinished or outright defective product for full price. Anyways, I know getting the buyback and walking away is exactly what I should do, but it's not what I want to do... I really wanted a new Mustang that I can rely on for a few years. I'm crossing my fingers on the new engine, but I have a feeling I'll probably end up in the list of people who did a buyback. I'm sorry about your situation up in Canada. I heard from someone that it's not looking much better across the water, either.

 

[18P51GT]

I know. I just want my damn car back at this point. I didn't buy a 2019 Mustang GT to get stuck driving around in a fucking Taurus. It's like having an itch that can't be scratched.

Lol. I totally get it. I’m still sporting around in an expedition.

 

[GT Pony]

Sounds a lot to me like an imminent recall that Ford doesn't want to issue.

Won't be any recall unless it's a safety issue where a failure can hurt or kill someone. Ford will just address each instance of a noisy engine complaint on a case-by-case basis under warranty, or lemon law buy-back. The engine is part of the power train, so it has a bit longer warranty than the rest of the car's 3 yr/30K warranty.

 

[baja695]

Update:

Brought the car in on January 8th, which means it took about a month for the new short block to arrive. Car was in the shop for 4 weeks during the install. It looks like the mechanic snapped a bolt during the reinstall, which added a week as they waited for the new bolt to arrive.

So far, everything seems fine with the new block (as it damn well should). I have about 300 miles on the new motor, going through the break-in period again for the first 1,000.

I've attached the repair order with the mechanic's notes and all the new parts installed under warranty. It looks like he suspected it was a piston to cylinder wall fit/wrist pin issue, and after doing a cost analysis of the repair he determined it was more efficient to just get a new block. At least, that's my interpretation of the mechanic's work notes.

And that's it... My dealership was very accommodating, paying for a rental car and providing a loaner when one became available. Anything else I should be on the lookout for now? I'm not sure if I feel satisfied or just more paranoid after all this...

 

[GT Pony]

I've attached the repair order with the mechanic's notes and all the new parts installed under warranty. It looks like he suspected it was a piston to cylinder wall fit/wrist pin issue, and after doing a cost analysis of the repair he determined it was more efficient to just get a new block. At least, that's my interpretation of the mechanic's work notes.

Do you know if your shop tore down the original engine and investigated, or did they just sent the old short block back to Ford. Glad to hear you're back on the road, hope the new engine is a good one.

 

[Jetnoise]

Doesn't appear they found a smoking gun in their ro notes. Did they share any other theories with you or just the the piston pin or cylinder wall clearance

 

[baja695]

Do you know if your shop tore down the original engine and investigated, or did they just sent the old short block back to Ford. Glad to hear you're back on the road, hope the new engine is a good one.

Doesn't appear they found a smoking gun in their ro notes. Did they share any other theories with you or just the the piston pin or cylinder wall clearance

What I shared is what I know. I wish I knew more, but I have not spoken with the technician since the work began and my service rep doesn't fully know the extant of the tech's work. My experience with the dealership felt more like a routine oil change or something, albeit one that lasted a really long time.

Next time I'm in for an oil change, I'll definitely be looking to speak with the tech and get his take on it.

 

[baja695]

Just over 500 miles on the new motor, the noise has reappeared. It's not nearly as bad as first motor, but the first motor did progressively get worse over time.

Going to be going back this week and looking into lemon law/Ford buyback program.

Sponsored