Originally posted by waggy73:
Hey all, I have a few questions on what to do with my car. Feel free to e-mail me directly with help, I would appreciate it. Here's the scoop and my questions to follow, sorry about the bandwidth.

Car:
2000 SVT Contour, stock except for drop in K&N
36.7k miles, bought it used from a middle aged private owner 8k miles ago. No problems with car other than 1-2 shift was funny occasionally, apparently that is common.

Problem:
Driving on highway at 75 mph, hear a ticking noise, sounded like clutch/maybe fenderliner rubbing the tire. 5 miles later engine goes boom with no warning, pistons/rods/oil pan debris blow out from under car. Engine was at approx 3k rpm, running cool, plenty of oil, no other problems. Outside temp was 75 degrees. Upon inspection at home, looks like #1, 2, or 3 rod, possibly more than one of them let go, punched several large holes in oil pan. Found a completely bare wrist pin laying on the front downpipe with a large scrape and crack in it. I have run the car hard before, but never downshifted and overrevved the engine, only hit fuel cutoff twice accelerating the car, and both occurances were several thousand miles ago.

Questions:
Car is covered under factory ESP, so I should be able to get a free new engine out of this. What I want to know is what I should do while the car is apart.

Should I do internals? Forged rods/pistons?

Lower compression now in expectation of forced induction later on? If I go that route, it won't be for at least 2 years/40k miles.

Install LSD while everything is apart? New clutch/flywheel?

Screw it all and go 3liter/3.5 liter?

Stock replacement and live with it for a few years.

Personal Comments:
I love this car, I will not be getting rid of it. I am disappointed because I take care of my vehicles, this car has had detailing every 2 weeks max since I bought it. Mobil 1 since I bought it, PO used Castrol Blend. I have done a NASA driving school at Summit Point, and absolutely loved it. Thinking about doing SCCA semi competitively locally in STS or STX, and leave engine stock. Also dragged the car once and loved it. Did ok for the first time, ran a 15.9 if anyone is interested. All comments welcome, I will be dealing with the car within 2 weeks, so a quick reply is welcome.

Tony

azerante@vt.edu
2000 Burgundy SVT Contour (Dead for now)







I'm not saying I don't believe you cuz I do, but to hear about a motor that came apart like THAT is hard to believe. I think I would really be parked on the Ford warranty dept's line, or something, cuz a motor that does that had other problems. I would check at CarFax to see if it had been in the shop before, or some other car history type program. I would also have my dealer checking to see if there were other service records. You may have to call the PO and ask if he took it to any dealers anywhere, there should be a record. For a motor to grenade like that means something catastrophic occurred. Motprs spin bearings, or seize pistons, or burn valves, not blow out the bottom of the oil pan, that is ludicrous. Remember it's easier to ignore someone who isn't causing a big fuss. So be the squeaky wheel, push em til they give up and replace your motor. Write a letter to your local newspaper, post on the net, call your local Better Business Bureau, etc, etc, etc. DO NOT just give up and pay for a new motor if you believe there was wrongdoing.

Ken, 99 Silver Frost SE Zetec Atx, polished alloys, Kumho's, Pioneer hi power CD/AM/FM. Factory spoiler (added) Audi side lites, Borla stainless steel muff. Stolen, recovered in pieces. Looking for another Tour, preferably V6, 5 speed.