Call the Ford Customer Assistance Center at (800) 392-3673. Have your vehicle ID ready and ask for a list of all recalls that affect your vehicle.

 

Well they pulled the valve covers off my explorer today and it jumped timing on the passenger side. When turning engine over by hand the chain jumps the gear on the cam. The gear on the cam is intact but the teeth are damaged. Also all the components of the tensioners "appear" to be in place from one can see. Everyone seems to be surprised, as they all indicated that it shouldn't have been able to have done what it did. This is also the first time my dealer has seen a case like this. In the past they just replace the camshaft tensioners and there hasn't been any follow up problems. Dealer is recommending a new engine under the circumstances. Final resolution is still in limbo as service manager is waiting on Ford to make decision.

So we wait...

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 23-Jan-01 AT 03:26 PM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 23-Jan-01 AT 03:22 PM (EST)[/font]


Good news... my Ford dealer came though..

I have to participate pay a reasonable amount but in turn I will get a replacement(rebuilt)engine and an extended warranty which will take me out long enough that I feel very comfortable in keeping our explorer several more years. Considering this vehicle only had 36,400 miles on it I thought Ford went the extra distance to work out a equitable resolution. I think the best thing I did was to take my vehicle back to where it was to be serviced to begin with. Also the fact that it was scheduled for work to have the cam tensioners replaced unfortunately the engine failure occurred before the work was able to be performed (less than 24 hours). They were also aware of the problem before the 36,000 rolled over is another factor.

If you get the recall on your explorer, stop by have them give it an ear check, setup an appointment to have the work performed, should it fail before the work is performed, not likely but it could, at least you can show good intentions and they saw the vehicle was in good running order at the time you scheduled repair. It is important that you have a good working relationship with your dealer, they don't have the final word in these matters unless it is still under warranty. But what they say goes a long way in resolving a settlement. I did not see the need to call Ford Customer Service as the issue was resolved to my satisfaction without their assistance. Ford policy is first attempt to work with the dealer, if you can't resolve the issue at that level after a reasonable effort then one should consider other alternatives. Each case is based on it's own merits, there is no "Flat Policy". You may be asked to pay some labor to explore the problem if it's out of warranty this is not uncommon, it was to my advantage to do so in this case.

I will post the final settlement once the work has been completed.

Do the recall 00M12... ASAP!

Later

 

Well, what was the outcome? and, if I may ask, where in California are you located?

 

Waiting on rebuilt engine, 30-day backlog. Looks as if the cost to me will be $500. and carries with it an extended warranty on engine and drive-train which will take me out a couple of years. Dealer did inspect engine before Ford approval, this labor was included in the above figure.

Still not final until the work is completed and receive closing service statement. However I do not expect anything to change between now and then

I am located in Santa Cruz County.

Later

 

Well I picked up my explorer today and runs like new! The dealer did a fine job, mechanic very through.

When I asked about the warranty they said Ford will send out the extend warranty in two to three weeks, seems a bit strange but will wait it out. As part of the agreement they extended the warranty out to 6 years and 75,000 miles for engine and drive train. Since my explorer is less than 3 years old and only 36,400 miles on it I thought this was a reasonable settlement.

Later

 

>Well, I just got the call
>back from the service department.
>He said 00M12 was a
>recall for head gaskets and
>was not related to the
>timing chain tensioners. He said
>they were talked about in
>a TSB and that they
>were not covered by Ford.
>
>Where do I go next? Is
>there somewhere that I can
>get a copy of the
>actual TSB so I can
>know what it really says?
>Then, maybe I can take
>it and show them what
>I am talking a obout.
>
>Bob

Take a look at my scanned copy of ONP 00M12. There isn't one mention of head gaskets. It applies to the camshaft tensioners and lower intake manifold o-rings gaskets.

http://www.zing.com/picture/pf62f411d5db5ad9fea15d10040397923/feff2985.jpg.orig.jpg

 

Well, I got the timing chain tensioner letter that extended it to 100,000 miles so I took it in and had them do the timing chain tensioners, throttle body and front sway bar recalls all at once. Took it in at 9:00 and got it back at 4:30.
I can see where they replaced the throttle body and sway bar mounts but can't really tell if they did the timing chain stuff or not. Should this be obvious?

It still rattles on about every third start. Not all the time, tho and stops quicker than it used to. Should this have stopped all the noise?
Bob

 

The chain guides are warranted to 100K miles per ONP 01M01. The tensioners still carry the same 72K warranty per ONP 00M12.

 

I have a 97 that is going in the shop for 3rd time. began at 65k miles. i got the recall after I had it fixed. WHen it broke again, Ford paid the previous mechanic $1565 and also repaired mine free of charge. warranty had run out at 36k. This time they tell me the engine needs to be replaced and they wont pay. kinda shiity. FORD BLOWS!

 

Does anyone know if this SOHC can be replaced with the 302? If I Have to replace the engine now, I would rather change engines. THe SOHC is the biggest POS to leave Detroit. What would need to be done to put in the 302? New trans or will adaptors work or are they even needed? thanks. If I could afford to ditch this vehicle I would, but its a 97 and I still owe more than its worth. Sad that Ford has begain building such POS. and what is the deal with their windshields? i have 2 fords, both with 2 or 3 cracks from a tiny rock.