Ross
02-24-2006, 01:24 PM
Well, after my recent problems, it looks like a new engine is in my near future.
I posted recently about my #2 cylinder blowing out the spark plug. The shop put in a heli coil and drove it, and said that it drove fine, but smoked like crazy. They pulled the plug and checked the cylinder with a borescope and said that the cylinder was scratched and scarred up inside like crazy. That left me with a few choices.
I could have them try to do a partial rebuild/resleeve or something on that cylinder, but why do a partial rebuild on an engine with 80K?
I could have this engine rebuilt, but for the cost, I could get a factory rebuild.
I can go ahead and get a factory rebuild with a 3 year 36K warranty.
I'm going for the last option.
Now for the fun part. I have an Allstate extended warranty, which recently did a good job replacing my axles when they wore out.
They aren't being so understanding this time, though. They want "evidence" of which came first, the chicken or the egg. Did the new plugs I put in recently cause the problems in #2 cylinder, or was there something wrong in the cylinder that caused the plug to blow out? Of course, in order to find this evidence, the engine has to be at least partially disassembled (at my cost) to find whatever evidence might exist. And even after I pay for the disassembly, there is no guarantee of what we will find that might or might not make them accept the claim.
Sooooo, after talking to some folks who know more about this than I do (many thanks to Carfixer and SergtMac), I am going to have the new engine put in, and spend a little extra to have the old oil pan pulled so that the shop can check for shavings or anything else that might show evidence of something going wrong internally. Also, with the pan pulled, they can maybe look inside to see if there is anything visible that looks like it predates the plug blow out.
The bad part: About $6K out of pocket if the warranty doesn't pick it up.
The good part: A 3 year old MM with a new engine. I guess you have to try to look on the bright side sometimes.
Yes, before you ask, I DID consider some other options. Putting in a built engine, or even a stroker engine. But, there are some other expenses going on right now that make the more expensive options not viable.
The really sad part: I have babied this engine. Yes, I occassionally hit WOT, but not nearly as much as a lot of guys do. Most of my driving is mild mannered around town driving, or highway driving around 70-75 mph. Nothing unusual that should put premature wear on an engine. I broke this engine in slowly and lovingly, like I do all new engines. Nothing above 50 mph for 500 miles, nothing above 70 mph for the next 500 miles. No hard accelleration for the first 1000 miles. First oil change at 1000 miles, and oil changed by the dealer every 3K after that, like clockwork. This engine should not have quit so quickly and easily. I feel like the ghostly spirits of General Motors are cursing me for owning my first (probably my last) Ford.
I posted recently about my #2 cylinder blowing out the spark plug. The shop put in a heli coil and drove it, and said that it drove fine, but smoked like crazy. They pulled the plug and checked the cylinder with a borescope and said that the cylinder was scratched and scarred up inside like crazy. That left me with a few choices.
I could have them try to do a partial rebuild/resleeve or something on that cylinder, but why do a partial rebuild on an engine with 80K?
I could have this engine rebuilt, but for the cost, I could get a factory rebuild.
I can go ahead and get a factory rebuild with a 3 year 36K warranty.
I'm going for the last option.
Now for the fun part. I have an Allstate extended warranty, which recently did a good job replacing my axles when they wore out.
They aren't being so understanding this time, though. They want "evidence" of which came first, the chicken or the egg. Did the new plugs I put in recently cause the problems in #2 cylinder, or was there something wrong in the cylinder that caused the plug to blow out? Of course, in order to find this evidence, the engine has to be at least partially disassembled (at my cost) to find whatever evidence might exist. And even after I pay for the disassembly, there is no guarantee of what we will find that might or might not make them accept the claim.
Sooooo, after talking to some folks who know more about this than I do (many thanks to Carfixer and SergtMac), I am going to have the new engine put in, and spend a little extra to have the old oil pan pulled so that the shop can check for shavings or anything else that might show evidence of something going wrong internally. Also, with the pan pulled, they can maybe look inside to see if there is anything visible that looks like it predates the plug blow out.
The bad part: About $6K out of pocket if the warranty doesn't pick it up.
The good part: A 3 year old MM with a new engine. I guess you have to try to look on the bright side sometimes.
Yes, before you ask, I DID consider some other options. Putting in a built engine, or even a stroker engine. But, there are some other expenses going on right now that make the more expensive options not viable.
The really sad part: I have babied this engine. Yes, I occassionally hit WOT, but not nearly as much as a lot of guys do. Most of my driving is mild mannered around town driving, or highway driving around 70-75 mph. Nothing unusual that should put premature wear on an engine. I broke this engine in slowly and lovingly, like I do all new engines. Nothing above 50 mph for 500 miles, nothing above 70 mph for the next 500 miles. No hard accelleration for the first 1000 miles. First oil change at 1000 miles, and oil changed by the dealer every 3K after that, like clockwork. This engine should not have quit so quickly and easily. I feel like the ghostly spirits of General Motors are cursing me for owning my first (probably my last) Ford.