Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications 3.0L Duratec Another 3L dead

From Fordcontour.org...

http://www.fordcontour.org/fcoforums/showthread.php?t=4025

Well I am sad to say another 3L bit the dust... This morning I was on my way to Woodward when it started knocking... 1/2 mile later (looking for a spot to pull over) the rod was toast and my car was dead. Less than 400 miles. I am just not sure what caused it. I am afraid to pull it and fix it cause what's to stop it from doing it again?

Same situation as what happened to my car. What is up with these engines? Something happening to them if they sit after running? Can't contemplate what that would be though. It seems the straight 3L's can't handle high RPM or something. Millions of ATX Taurus's running around w/o issue.

Dang - after reading that thread, there appear to be a whole bunch of low mile 3.0's that blow up during break in?!? There were what 2 over there, we have yours, airnights (RIP), and that NECO fella, but I think his was timing chain shredagge.

I guess if / when I blow my 2.5 and go 3.0 I'll just order a new short block from Bill to be (hopefully) safe

I believe they are already 'broken in'....

I think its because people don't take the needed precautions, but I have no real basis for this, just my thoughts.

I'm at 7k on mine, although eventhing in the motor is/was brand new.

Originally posted by ScottK:

---

Dang - after reading that thread, there appear to be a whole bunch of low mile 3.0's that blow up during break in?!? There were what 2 over there, we have yours, airnights (RIP), and that NECO fella, but I think his was timing chain shredagge.

I guess if / when I blow my 2.5 and go 3.0 I'll just order a new short block from Bill to be (hopefully) safe

---

Airnights went lean due to no tuning. We also know a bad batch of chains went in 3L's as well. Seems the hybrids are usually fine.

I just about that you were saying your engine went again.

I see Terry seems to have some type of proprietary knowledge of this. It would be nice to find that out, but I don't see where he'd want to share it for free. On the other hand I can see where he shouldn't since he's in business too though.

Rick

Pulling on to woodward...who is this guy? He must be local, I suppose I have never met him. Tod?

Terry won't let the cat out of the bag because he could be sued I'm sure. Someone could potentially take the info to sue Ford. You'd tell the courts Terry told me. Well who told Terry? Guy inside Ford is in deep [censored].

I'm more to believe it's a builder issue with these engines just with a few hundred miles on them.

Was the engine tore down and inspected first?
It's salt in the wounds if it's an oiling failure of a rear rod bearing. (FO contamination)

His post says very little except he had maybe 400 miles on it.


We know the engine itself can take high rpm. Be it 2.5L or 3L
So blaming that is just passing the buck.


Terry may know something is not copasetic with something but then why is there not a high failure rate of 3L engines. There has to be more then a million on the road in the US alone. That's more then the total Contour/Mystique production combined.


I have about 6000 highly abusive miles on my engine. (~10k total engine miles) It's pulling stronger then ever. (knocks on wood just to be safe)