Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Another SVT Engine Is Dead!

Thanks for the feed back Josch! I just called to find out what was up? Damn I hate having to call for info... seems they should provide it??

Anway it seems the "tech" is happy with my record keeping on the oil changes, for whatever that is worth... The Factory Rep was a no show for the day, so no word as of yet.

Here is a question for you guys/gals:

How bad will a engine replacement effect resale and blue book value of the car? I am betting that it would have some effect but am curious.

Thanks again!

VG

Well I got the confirming call this morning. Look like Factory Rep was too busy and was satisfied. They ordered me a new shortblock. I'm going to go down and see what I can find out this afternoon.

Ford is footing the bill on this whole mess without having to even fight with them. I didn't know what to expect. Thanks everyone for you thoughts on the matter. I will update after the install is completed.

Thanks,

VG

God must be smiling on you right about now. I'm glad for you. In all honesty, I wouldn't think that it would detract that much, if any, from the value of your vehicle.

Yeah. New engine is good. 10k less miles on the bottom end.

Too bad. I am still wondering why these 2.5's are blowing.

see...I knew they would.

Interesting that the knock just "happened" to start while the car was at the dealership. Joy ride maybe? Anyway it's hard to know how the car was really treated before you got it. Too many runs up to redline without that DMD Terry always speaks of and crank whip does in a bearing and viola, knock-knock. Glad you're getting a new shortblock. Shouldn't effect value unless someone's looking for a "numbers matching" car.

Karl

Ford as a company has real problems at the moment, so they can't afford to lose any customers now and
especially in the future. I wish they were all
like that.....I just hope they don't axe our
annual SVT Track day.....I'm thinking, "what I can I let
the Ford guys do at the garage so that they don't drop me
off the invite list....without them hurting my car".
The last time, they put over 20 km on the car....and
when you are dealing with guys that don't even think
to check out the trip odometer, what is safe to get done
there?

First off...

6 quarts of oil should NOT cause a leak since the oil requirements are 5.8 Quarts by the FORD Manual,
and 6.3 quarts by ROUSCH RACING's recommendations.

Second,

A Ford Rebuilt engine will NOT reduce the value of your car.
If anything it will INCREASE or SUSTAIN the car's value
over replacing the engine with a used Junkyard engine.
The FORD Reman Engine is built to tighter specs than the original engine.
It also comes with a 3yr/36,000 mile Warranty.

If you have enough receipts to show that you purchased at least enough oil to cover your engine oil changes
for every 3,000 miles between 10,000 and 22,000 miles, your engine should be covered under the 3/36 warranty.
Fluids, are NOT covered, so you will have to pay for something.
I would also pick up a water pump with a METAL impellar and have it installed with the new motor.

Just MAKE SURE you are getting an SVT Short Block and not the Duratec 2.5 Short Block.
You can confirm the Short lock part number with Bill Jenkins or Big Jim.

I am posting this over on CO as well so I can get coverage on both sites and gather as many suggestions as possible... Sorry if that irratates some...

Well I spent over 4 hours at the dealership... I am livid! I was told that all short blocks are on backorder across the US. The same applies for the long block it appears as well. Was told 3 weeks as a minimal estimate for just parts. I have read too many other stories on both CO and FCO and think it will probably take much longer....

Now for the anger part.... You remember me saying I didn't think I detected a knock myself that I could hear..... Well I had a lengthy informal discussion with the "Tech" and he said the "knock" developed during the test drive trying to reproduce the oil leak issue... Joy ride anyone.... I'm no expert on ethics here, but something just doesn't set right with me on this. After hearing all of this and sitting outside the dealership and thinking about the 25 dollar a day car rental I started to fume.

I then asked to hear the knock and was unable to because they have a good portion of it tore down.... Ok... So while looking at the car I notice the side skirt on the passanger side is holding the front portion of the passanger side up and was pressed upward into the open door so the front passanger door couldn't closed... GRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Ok so they forgot to put the lifting block up on the lift prior to lifting it..... So now add something else to the ever growing fix it list....

I also noticed scrapes down the whole bottom passenger side to the skirt as if the car had been up on and over a curb or parking stop. The driver side inside of the tire was really worn... I don't recall wear like that the last time I changed the oil, and I know my wife isn't into driving hard, so I am really wondering....... I had the alignment done a year ago and it was perfect and tracked very well.... Man what I would pay to be able to drive it now and see the extent of the damage.... No wonder they haven't been too forth coming in updates as to progress....

SO, now I am stuck with a car that has 23k on the clock and 6 months of original Factory Warranty......

I complained about having to foot the rental car bill and they said after a length phone call to corporate they said Ford would pick up 2/3 of the bill.... SO I'm guessing 15 a day... get home and turns out they want 25 a day for a freakin sub-compact.....

If my wife wasn't on redeployement... Intel's nice find a job is your job thing (which is GREAT btw!) I would have other options... Namely a Lexus IS 300 or a Altima. I looked across the dealership for another replacement with a blue oval on it, and am my eyes see NOTHING in terms of a midsize sporty sedan... Except for a few tradin's... Seems as if Ford it totally focused on Trucks and SUV's and has forgotten about those of us who hate tanks....

I can't believe that I am having to look at new cars. I love my Contour and don't see any hopes in Ford building a replacement that isn't FOCI based. Nothing wrong with the Foci, it is just too small and Fugly... Don't mean to offend anyone.... Just a taste issue.

I'll write more after calling the Ford Customer Care line tomorrow.... I need some beer now PLEASE!!!

I am grateful they are going to replace everything, but feel as though this all came about because of a little joy ride, but how do you call them on it?

The number of miles in the test drive don't matter, but the way they were driven does...... Hard right turns at WOT anyone?

Sorry for ranting and thanks to your replies...

Keep bring up your thoughts please if you have any.... I have the bad ones covered for now!

Thanks,

VG