Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!!

FreeSpirit · 02-10-2005, 07:38 PM

I'm hoping someone can help me. (I also posted in the SVT forum.)
I have a 2001 Cobra that started making a "ticking" noise in the engine 2 wks after my warranty was up. But I only have 24,000 miles on the car.

Does anyone know how I can get Ford to cover the cost of the repairs since I have low miles and I was so close to the end of my warranty? The dealer thinks it's a piston, or lifter, or cylinder head.

I store my Cobra every winter and change the oil regularly...and I'm the only one who drives it (and I'm a girl!).....so I'm hoping that Ford will take the responsibility for the problem.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

Thanks,
Penny

Orange97GTVert · 02-10-2005, 08:13 PM

Most Ford dealers will honor drivetrain warranties in that length of time, no experience with SVT dealers.

FreeSpirit · 02-10-2005, 09:49 PM

Thanks, Harold, for the info. Hopefully, I'll have good luck

The Deuce · 02-10-2005, 10:33 PM

If it sat all winter without you driving it, I really hope you didn't fire it up and rev it at all for at least 2 minutes.

The bearings would be dry and you'd better believe Ford wouldn't cover that on a car with 1,000 miles.

I don't want to be overly pessimistic, but I think you could be in trouble.

Unit 5302 · 02-11-2005, 12:12 AM

It's probably the cylinder head, and I believe there was a recall.

I would ask them to perform the maintanence.

red82gt · 02-11-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unit 5302

It's probably the cylinder head, and I believe there was a recall.

I would ask them to perform the maintanence.

I remember hearing about this too

Mr 5 0 · 02-11-2005, 05:51 PM

Penny:

Ford had big problems with the 1999 Cobras (sub-par intakes, inaccurate HP ratings) and cancelled production for the 2000 model but I don't believe there was a recall for cylinder head problems on the '01's - but I may be mistaken.

In any case, I would try changing the oil - while the engine is hot - at least twice over the next 500 miles. You may just have some unremoved gunk in the engine that is making for a noisy lifter. However, if you started the engine cold after sitting for months - without priming the oil pump - you may well have done some engine damage. Before panicking, I would first do the oil change(s) and give the car a good, long, high-speed run (with fresh oil) to see if the noise subsides - as it well might.

You see, automobile engines are like people in one regard: they need 'exercise'. When they sit, unused, for months, sludge can form in the engine and starting a stone-cold engine with no oil pressure can damage upper cylinder parts or even score the walls. I trust this won't be the case with your Cobra and that a good run will clear out any sludge and restore your 4.6 to it's former quiet glory.

Unit 5302 · 02-12-2005, 05:49 PM

Now that I think about it, Mr 5 0 is right. It was the 2003 Cobra's that had the heads recalled for faulty valve guides.

red82gt · 02-12-2005, 09:20 PM

There was a cooling issue withthe cobra heads one year too, causing detonation problems, I seem to think that it was 2001?

02-10-2005, 07:38 PM	#1
FreeSpirit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3	Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! I'm hoping someone can help me. (I also posted in the SVT forum.) I have a 2001 Cobra that started making a "ticking" noise in the engine 2 wks after my warranty was up. But I only have 24,000 miles on the car. Does anyone know how I can get Ford to cover the cost of the repairs since I have low miles and I was so close to the end of my warranty? The dealer thinks it's a piston, or lifter, or cylinder head. I store my Cobra every winter and change the oil regularly...and I'm the only one who drives it (and I'm a girl!).....so I'm hoping that Ford will take the responsibility for the problem. If anyone could help me, that would be great. Thanks, Penny

02-10-2005, 08:13 PM	#2
Orange97GTVert Mustang Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 568	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! Most Ford dealers will honor drivetrain warranties in that length of time, no experience with SVT dealers. __________________ Harold Phillips www.mustangsofeasttexas.org 1997 Mustang GT Convertible, 4.6L Auto, Autumn Orange w/Saddle Tan Top & Leather Interior, Styling Bar, 17 X 9 Polished Cobra R's on Nitto NT 555's, Ford Racing Bullitt Suspension package, Mac CAI, Steeda UDP's, Flowmaster 40 Series Catback, SCT X-Calibrator II, Zaino Shine, 7 time Show Winner, driven daily

02-10-2005, 09:49 PM	#3
FreeSpirit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! Thanks, Harold, for the info. Hopefully, I'll have good luck

02-10-2005, 10:33 PM	#4
The Deuce Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,325	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! If it sat all winter without you driving it, I really hope you didn't fire it up and rev it at all for at least 2 minutes. The bearings would be dry and you'd better believe Ford wouldn't cover that on a car with 1,000 miles. I don't want to be overly pessimistic, but I think you could be in trouble. __________________ 1997 Mustang GT "The Freak" - 13.80 @ 101.70, 2.07 60' 1995 Honda VFR750 - not much @ really fast (actual data pending.) 1964.5 Mustang 289 Rice Haters Club Member #13

02-11-2005, 12:12 AM	#5
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! It's probably the cylinder head, and I believe there was a recall. I would ask them to perform the maintanence.

02-11-2005, 05:51 PM	#7
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! Penny: Ford had big problems with the 1999 Cobras (sub-par intakes, inaccurate HP ratings) and cancelled production for the 2000 model but I don't believe there was a recall for cylinder head problems on the '01's - but I may be mistaken. In any case, I would try changing the oil - while the engine is hot - at least twice over the next 500 miles. You may just have some unremoved gunk in the engine that is making for a noisy lifter. However, if you started the engine cold after sitting for months - without priming the oil pump - you may well have done some engine damage. Before panicking, I would first do the oil change(s) and give the car a good, long, high-speed run (with fresh oil) to see if the noise subsides - as it well might. You see, automobile engines are like people in one regard: they need 'exercise'. When they sit, unused, for months, sludge can form in the engine and starting a stone-cold engine with no oil pressure can damage upper cylinder parts or even score the walls. I trust this won't be the case with your Cobra and that a good run will clear out any sludge and restore your 4.6 to it's former quiet glory. __________________ 5.0 Mustang Owner 1990 - 2005

02-12-2005, 05:49 PM	#8
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! Now that I think about it, Mr 5 0 is right. It was the 2003 Cobra's that had the heads recalled for faulty valve guides.

02-12-2005, 09:20 PM	#9
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	Re: Engine problem 2 wks after warranty exp.!! There was a cooling issue withthe cobra heads one year too, causing detonation problems, I seem to think that it was 2001? __________________ 393W: AFR 205's, hydraulic roller, TKO600.

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