Broken engine cover threaded posts.. why?

[Lerxst]

Hello all.
I bought a 2018 GT with just 3k miles, and it's in good shape. But, oddly, the posts that hold the engine cover are broken off. This appears to be a deliberate act. Maybe the past owner was an Engine Cover Delete kinda guy, and it might be common to break these off when you do that. I dunno.

In addition to the broken posts, the engine cover is missing the grommets that go over the holes where you access the bolts.

Why would they be broken like this, and, can this be fixed?

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[Fatguy]

Hello all.
I bought a 2018 GT with just 3k miles, and it's in good shape. But, oddly, the posts that hold the engine cover are broken off. This appears to be a deliberate act. Maybe the past owner was an Engine Cover Delete kinda guy, and it might be common to break these off when you do that. I dunno.

In addition to the broken posts, the engine cover is missing the grommets that go over the holes where you access the bolts.

Why would they be broken like this, and, can this be fixed?

I’d be less worried about the ability to attach the engine cover and more worried about the service history that car has been through even if it only has three thousand miles...

 

[Dr. Norts]

That's how jiffy lube removes the engine cover. Just a guess

 

[NoVaGT]

.....the posts that hold the engine cover are broken off.....Why would they be broken like this?

I'm getting something.........

The car has a past owner.....Bob?.....Gary???.....Reno??........Margaret?

 

[TripleB]

I’d be less worried about the ability to attach the engine cover and more worried about the service history that car has been through even if it only has three thousand miles...

Exactly - probably had a nitrous kit installed or something similar. Couple of nice break in runs at the strip then return to stock and move on.

 

[Zelek]

Is that bolt sheared? WTH kind of previous owner was this? Lol.

 

[Lerxst]

Is that bolt sheared? WTH kind of previous owner was this? Lol.

Welp, according to the responses so far, this ISN'T something that "might just happen", nor is it part of a engine cover delete mod.

It's a local car bought new in April and was traded in October for a big dually RAM truck (to cart his next project to the strip??). Seemed most of the used Mustangs around here were Ford corporate cars driven up in Michigan for 10k+ miles before being sold to auctions in the Southeast. I avoided those. This one "checked out" (according to me).

What else should I look for regarding signs of deleted past engine modifications?

 

[TomcatDriver]

I wouldn't discount the engine cover delete theory. Maybe he pulled the cover off, saw the posts sticking up and thought "well, I don't need those anymore" and snapped them off.

 

[Cobra Jet]

If you bought it from a Ford Dealer, tell your Salesman you bought it from you want a complete OASIS report on the VIN.

Lots of 2018 GTs have been dumped by owners who fear the “tick” and with it only having 3k on it, the Dealership is going to tell any potential Buyer a nice “story” as to why the car has such low miles. Hopefully it was not a RAV vehicle, not that that would be a terrible thing, as most GTs in that situation have had engine replacements.

If you’re (OP) not familiar with the 2018 Coyote concerns, hit up the Issues/TSB sub-forum on here for tons of info...

 

[Lerxst]

If you bought it from a Ford Dealer, tell your Salesman you bought it from you want a complete OASIS report on the VIN.

Not a Ford dealer, but within sight of one. I went down there and asked. A "thorough going over" would be $99. Not sure if OASIS would be included.

... owners who fear the “tick” ..
...familiar with the 2018 Coyote concerns....

Oh yeah. Car does not tick, regardless of cold, after spirited driving, or idling/heat cycling, upper or lower listening.

Thanks for your input.

 

[IronG]

Welp, according to the responses so far, this ISN'T something that "might just happen", nor is it part of a engine cover delete mod.

It's a local car bought new in April and was traded in October for a big dually RAM truck (to cart his next project to the strip??). Seemed most of the used Mustangs around here were Ford corporate cars driven up in Michigan for 10k+ miles before being sold to auctions in the Southeast. I avoided those. This one "checked out" (according to me).

What else should I look for regarding signs of deleted past engine modifications?

Should not be too hard to get the broken screws out. Just get a drill extractor bit and look for a vid on youtube on how to use it. As long as the screws are accessible with a drill you should have no problem.

 

[Lerxst]

Should not be too hard to get the broken screws out. Just get a drill extractor bit and look for a vid on youtube on how to use it. As long as the screws are accessible with a drill you should have no problem.

Yeah. I was fearing Heli-Coil and all that mess, but you're probably right.

 

[sdiver68]

Lots of 2018 GTs have been dumped by owners who fear the “tick” and with it only having 3k on it, the Dealership is going to tell any potential Buyer a nice “story” as to why the car has such low miles. Hopefully it was not a RAV vehicle, not that that would be a terrible thing, as most GTs in that situation have had engine replacements.If you’re (OP) not familiar with the 2018 Coyote concerns, hit up the Issues/TSB sub-forum on here for tons of info...

Yes, do a search, read through all the posts, decide for yourself what is real and what is hysteria.

They must be dumping a lot of EcoBoost also, since nationwide searches of 2018 Mustangs on used car sites turns up about the same if not more 2018 Ecoboosts...about 500 of each on CarGurus. And guess what? Corvettes must have the tick but it's far worse! On CarGurus over 900 used 2018 Corvettes being "dumped" versus about 500 Mustang GT's despite being considerably outsold. Oh wait, it gets better. Over 2000 used 2018 Camaro's for sale despite again being outsold by Mustang. Over 2000 used 2018 Chargers! All these muscle cars must be ticking time bombs!

 

[Dr. Norts]

The bolt in the pic at least is an easy fix. There is enough of the bolt sticking out of the hole for the dremel slot method.

Dremel a slot for a flat head screw driver into the top of the broken stud and remove it that way. Those shouldn't be in there that tight.

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