Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting **Pre-CAT burnt out. In need of advice!**

The guys at the ford dealership, customer relations, and warranty dept all state the same thing. This part on the contour precat part # 5G232 is NOT COVERED. It is part of the exhaust manifold and it is one piece. I think ford was able to sneak this by CARB Mandate, due to it being an exhaust manifold coupled with precats -all one piece design. The books has CA Warranty Mandate and they are not the ones trying to get out of fixing it. I know this is a first for a Stealership.

CA needs to get this part on their list for 7/70 warranty. I have ESp, from their words "BEST FULL COVER WARRANTY" and they tried bypassing the emissions warranty and looked for a part number for the exhaust manifolds hoping it will give they a part number that would be covered under my premium extended warranty. To no luck it lists the same part number as the PRE-CATS-- GO FIGURE!

Well car drives fine, good gas mileage 330 miles per tank on an auto duratec. Does not exhibit signs of clogged precats and I am happy with it. CEL has not come on after 50 miles. I think CEL was tripped by FI cleaner.

But I hope this information helps out some Cali owners. Botton line CARB Screwed up, FORD lucked out with it being a one piece design. Perhaps CARB saw that it was a exhaust manifold and therefore should not be included in their 7/70 warranty. I have no idea but, Cali contour owners with part 5G232 are all screwed.

-Thanks for the help!

One other thought. This loop-hole really pisses me off. I would love to screw FORD buy reistering this car in Nevada and shoving this warranty repair up their *#&%#$! It is such BS. Cali car should get cali 7/70 warranty.

Well I have 55K on the car hopefully I'll move to another state before the 8/80 comes up and stick it to them!

Sorry- just venting. Its the principle of it all.

Thanks for reading my rant!

Ford customer relations is nothing more than a bunch of minimum wage idiots that type in what you tell them so that the dealership gets your comments.

They have no authority or power to do anything, and if you ask them a question they'll put you on hold for 10 minutes and return with the wrong answer or refer you to a dealership for the answer.

For being one of the most strict States in regard to emissions, this just doesn's sound right. Maybe Arnie will straighten it out.

F8RZ-5G232-AC (Left)
F8RZ-5G232-BC (Right)

I presume these are the complete part #s you are referring to in your above post. I had them replaced on my '97 earlier this year at 79,900 miles n/c.

Those are the exact part numbas. What were your symptoms of bad precats? Just want to plan ahead for when I will need to either replace them or gut them.

Thanks!

I looked up the coverage just before I left work, and they are not on the 2000 list. They are on the 1999 list though. I believe that it is probably a mistaken omission. Someone at the dealership needs to call the warranty hot line on your behalf to see if this is just an omission. Try talking directly to the Service Manager and tell him about the posts here that show that this is a covered item prior to the 2000 model year and inlist his help. If you were in my shop, I would do that for you.

Bottom line though, if Ford won't budge, the dealer is stuck and cannot help. You may need to pay the bill then file a small calims action against Ford.

Big Jim

Thanks for the advice! Are you at a Ford shop? If you are let me know where you are located.

Thanks for all the support and help.

Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday!