Bad misfire and P0306 code

[Seb]

Another update: dealer swapped the coil pack and spark plug on the cylinder throwing the misfire code. However the bigger issue is that the engine is making a metallic noise when running. Dealer suspects connecting rod bearings. But that's purely a guess since they don't have the tools to investigate further and it would require a engine tear down anyway.

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[luca1290]

I feel for you, terribly terribly sorry for this.
Both for the car and for you being in Amsterdam.

Is there a reputable shop to work on Mustangs?

 

[Seb]

I sure hope you get something worked out, but if not I think I’d ship it back to the States and have it fixed. Best of luck man, feel for ya.

I am actually seriously considering going this route. Curious if anyone is familiar with the actual warranty process at process at Ford? Specifically, would Ford deny the warranty claim because the car is not registered in the US at the moment? Or is that not a relevant factor once it's Stateside and it's a US dealer that is handling the diagnosis/warranty claim/repairs etc.?

 

[Inthehighdesert]

It shouldn’t matter where its registered. The warranty should be attached to the vehicle and the vin. It’s not really any different then any other warranty claim. Car goes to the dealer, dealer diagnoses it, Ford approves, sends motor, etc. What I would think the most difficult part for you would be dealing with the shipping from the US port to the dealer you chose and you having to arrange all that if your not going to be able to do it yourself personally. There’s some great people on this forum and I’d bet someone near where all this might be done may be able to assist you. I know if I was out that way I would if I could.

Edit: The one thing I would make sure your covered is on the insurance side, ie you have coverage while back in the states.

 

[Seb]

It shouldn’t matter where its registered. The warranty should be attached to the vehicle and the vin. It’s not really any different then any other warranty claim. Car goes to the dealer, dealer diagnoses it, Ford approves, sends motor, etc. What I would think the most difficult part for you would be dealing with the shipping from the US port to the dealer you chose and you having to arrange all that if your not going to be able to do it yourself personally. There’s some great people on this forum and I’d bet someone near where all this might be done may be able to assist you. I know if I was out that way I would if I could.

Edit: The one thing I would make sure your covered is on the insurance side, ie you have coverage while back in the states.

Good point re insurance, thanks.

I called the dealer that I bought the car from and Ford customer service: for both the dealer rep and Ford agent, the VIN popped up as still being under warranty in the US. Since it all pivots off the VIN it looks like this could be a viable option. I’m planning to use the dealer in Houston since they sold it to me and it’s also one of the cheapest ports to ship in and out of. I talked to the shipping company that shipped the car to Europe for me, they can arrange transport from port to dealer. Probably 6-7k round trip.

I’ll sleep on it this weekend and pull the trigger next week.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

That doesn’t seem that bad as far as cost goes for the distance your talking about shipping. Out of curiosity what are the transit times? I would have never thought shipping to the gulf would be less then the east coast. Go figure.

Good point re insurance, thanks.

I called the dealer that I bought the car from and Ford customer service: for both the dealer rep and Ford agent, the VIN popped up as still being under warranty in the US. Since it all pivots off the VIN it looks like this could be a viable option. I’m planning to use the dealer in Houston since they sold it to me and it’s also one of the cheapest ports to ship in and out of. I talked to the shipping company that shipped the car to Europe for me, they can arrange transport from port to dealer. Probably 6-7k round trip.

I’ll sleep on it this weekend and pull the trigger next week.

 

[Seb]

That doesn’t seem that bad as far as cost goes for the distance your talking about shipping. Out of curiosity what are the transit times? I would have never thought shipping to the gulf would be less then the east coast. Go figure.

Shipping is an interesting business. I have shipped cars to 3 continents now and prices are not dictated by distance so much as how popular a route is. I figure 6-8 weeks door to door one way

 

[sublime1996525]

Good point re insurance, thanks.

I called the dealer that I bought the car from and Ford customer service: for both the dealer rep and Ford agent, the VIN popped up as still being under warranty in the US. Since it all pivots off the VIN it looks like this could be a viable option. I’m planning to use the dealer in Houston since they sold it to me and it’s also one of the cheapest ports to ship in and out of. I talked to the shipping company that shipped the car to Europe for me, they can arrange transport from port to dealer. Probably 6-7k round trip.

I’ll sleep on it this weekend and pull the trigger next week.

That's a hell of a lot cheaper than the motor. Still sucks though :(

 

[Seb]

Update:

Bit of a plot twist this afternoon. I had a lab analyze an oil sample and their conclusion is that while the oil needs to be changed, there is no excessive metal in the sample. I also have Blackstone reports covering the first three oil changes and ~6k miles on the engine and this reading looks in line with those in terms of iron/copper/etc. deposits in the oil.

Which makes me wonder if there really is fatal mechanical damage to the engine. Could it be that the timing chain slipped instead? Would it make sense to have an indy Shelby specialist check the chain on the side you can't see through the oil filler opening? Am I still screwed even if it's "only" a slipped timing chain given that the Voodoo is an inference engine?

Interested in educated opinions.

 

[luca1290]

We have very little information on this... a timing chain will not slip it there wasn't a ludicrous amount of slack in it, and by that time you would be already hearing it.
The car also is quite new so is the chain.

I don't know if you are mechanically inclined but "the engine is toast" is not a professional diagnosis. The dealer your brought the car to must give you a clear explanation on what happened to the engine, what is broken and what is the chain of events that put the engine in the current condition.

If they can't provide such explanation then I would have the car towed to a reputable shop. Yes it's a Shelby but still a car so generic logic and craftmanship still applies. A good mechanic is better than a shaved "certified" ape with whatever logo.
Good luck finding somebody with a brain in that neck of the woods tough.

 

[JAJ]

Update:

Bit of a plot twist this afternoon. I had a lab analyze an oil sample and their conclusion is that while the oil needs to be changed, there is no excessive metal in the sample. I also have Blackstone reports covering the first three oil changes and ~6k miles on the engine and this reading looks in line with those in terms of iron/copper/etc. deposits in the oil.

Which makes me wonder if there really is fatal mechanical damage to the engine. Could it be that the timing chain slipped instead? Would it make sense to have an indy Shelby specialist check the chain on the side you can't see through the oil filler opening? Am I still screwed even if it's "only" a slipped timing chain given that the Voodoo is an inference engine?

Interested in educated opinions.

If bearings are damaged, then there'll be visible metal in the oil pan. Oil analysis only looks at particles measured in a few nanometers, invisible to the naked eye. Drain the oil and see what you find in the oil itself, by wiping the floor of the sump through the drain hole and in the filter.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Someone clarify why a Ford bought in the US and moved to overseas can’t be warranted or have warranty work done - when the vehicle still has a valid warranty in place BY THE VIN???

What am I missing?

Is Ford going to cover the shipping fees back to the US, because THAT is what I would press for as well…. Why should an owner have to poke out shipping fees to get an engine fixed or replaced under warranty?

 

[Inthehighdesert]

Ford, or any manufacturer isn’t going to cover international shipping costs. It’s pretty standard, I had an Srt8 Magnum that was built and purchased in the US and then went to CA. I purchased it from Ontario. Dodge wouldn’t honor the fuel tank recall. I did get around it but that had to with the relationship with the dealership I had. I’d bet some where in the terms Ford could do the same thing if they wanted. Honoring the warranty is one thing but expecting them to cover international shipping isnt part of it. They’d then be liable for what happened during transport. Its unfortunate what he’s dealing with, but it is what it is.

Someone clarify why a Ford bought in the US and moved to overseas can’t be warranted or have warranty work done - when the vehicle still has a valid warranty in place BY THE VIN???

What am I missing?

Is Ford going to cover the shipping fees back to the US, because THAT is what I would press for as well…. Why should an owner have to poke out shipping fees to get an engine fixed or replaced under warranty?

 

[Seb]

If bearings are damaged, then there'll be visible metal in the oil pan. Oil analysis only looks at particles measured in a few nanometers, invisible to the naked eye. Drain the oil and see what you find in the oil itself, by wiping the floor of the sump through the drain hole and in the filter.

Thanks, good point

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