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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 36
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 36 |
I'm kinda going through the same thing right now. I have a post out there as well titled should I sue or something like that. I paid big dollars for head gaskets to be replaced which is expected but after 5 return visits the car still doesn't run right. Anyways if you paid by credit card, file a dispute with your credit card company. If you can prove your claim they will remove the charge permanently. Or theres always small claims or call the dealership, get the owners name and write a letter directly to him. Be cordial, but if needed, threaten legal action. As a single woman several businesses "have seen me coming" and I felt as if I had gotten ripped of as well. I have tried the above remedies and they have always worked for me. All will take time but if you feel strongly about this it is worth it. Good luck.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 635
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 635 |
Unfortunately a Fact of life, the more high-tech the product the more the owner needs to know about their product ( the more knowledge required to dispute the lack of training the repair shop has) and the more training the tech should have. Unfortunately it's not a perfect world and now the greed factor seems to have creeped into equation more so than it should.
The Old saying "buyer be ware" will never die!
This is why web sites like(CEG) has helped us all and hopefully will continue for any and all vechicles.
If not this site, others will spring up. I get the feeling that for those of us who have been involved with the CEG for many years have realized this.
CEG was really helpful at first when the Ford and Visteon employees were allowed to be customer focused. Then at some point Ford must have realized/got greedy, consumer knowledge was hurting their bottom line????? ANY other thoughts out there?????
One more decision to be added to the buying process.
Before I buy again does that vehicle have a consumer/car buff web site to get the straight scoop. Sharing can really be enjoyable.
Paul
98 Mystique LS (07/97)
Curious what others CEG"s thoughts are????
Tnx
Paul
98 Mystique LS 2ea (07/97)(08/98)
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,228
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,228 |
Originally posted by michealj88:
Were you at a high altitude, how much fuel was in the tank, its a stretch, but it may have been a simple case of vapor lock.
Vapor lock is when the fuel boils on the suction side of the fuel pump and the pump no longer is able to pump liquid. A cure for vapor lock is to mount an electric fuel pump in the tank, submerged in liquid fuel. Since our cars have the fuel pump in the tank, submerged in liquid, it is impossible to have vapor lock. Vapor lock was prevalent on cars with a mechanical fuel pump mounted on the wngine. The long fuel line from the suction of the pump to the tank was subject to road and engine heat (and effects of jigh altitude). The fuel would vaporize in the reduced pressure on this suction line and and the fuel pump could no longer supply fuel to the carburetor. Electronic fuel injected cars NEVER have vapor lock.
She may likely have a clogged strainer on the suction of the pump (in the gas tank) and under long climbs, the pump cannot deliver the pressure and volume needed. Our Contours are known for this problem. I recently cleaned mine for the same type of problem.
My name is Richard. I was a Contouraholic.
NOW: '02 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport, Black
BEFORE: '99 Contour SE Sport
Duratec ATX Spruce Green
PIAA 510's, Foglight MOD, K&N Drop-in
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,603 |
Hello Ann and welcome to CEG.
First of all, thank you for taking the time out to do some research at CEG and then post your question and experiences.
The problem you described is a problem that I have experienced with my 98.5 Contour SE Sport.
When driving long distances on the highway, the automatic transaxle (also known as a CD4E) tends to gets HOT.
This is cause by a very poor design in the valve body of the transmission,
that tends to hang up the pressure bypass valve which is responsible
for bleeding some of the pressure from the ATX Oil pump to the cooling line.
When this happens, there isn't enough flow to the ATX Oil cooler and the CD4E is not properly cooled
and it continually generates more and more heat until it finally overheats.
Driving up hills doesn't help this situation at all and neither you or I
were aware of this problem when it first happened to me too.
As a result, the amount of superheated oil that DOES pass through the ATX Oil cooler in your radiator,
gives off enough heat to heat the AntiFreeze hotter than your engine can,
and it will look as if the engine is actually overheating !!!
I was able to prove this to my dealship with their very own scan tool.
When it happened to my car, I let them read the engine and CD4E temperatures.
The CD4E temperature was almost 300F while the engine was 250F.
If the CD4E is still hunting for gears when driving up hill,
there may be other problems that the dealership did not diagnose properly.
Changing something as inexpensive as the Ransge Selector Sensor for the shifter on the CD4E can help a problem such as this.
If the shift solenoid in the transmission wasnt replaced in the rebuild, it may still be faulty and be causing the problem.
A bad computer (PCM) can also cause the same symptoms.
I would take the Contour to another dealership and let them had a look at it,
and get another opinion.
You may find that something simple may have been overlooked.
Let us know what happens.
Good luck to you.
Pete...
2004 Mercury Marauder 300A
Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER
DOB 10/31/2003
DOP 1/2/2004
www.mercurymarauder.net
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