I have a 2001 F-150 7700 series with 10,000 Km on it. I wanted to be very diligent about servicing this truck as my intent was to keep it as the long term 'work horse' in the family for our small farm. I even had the factory oil changed after the first 500 Km was put on.

Anyway...I went in to my local Ford Dealership for a routine oil, lube and tire rotation maintenace at the 10,000 km mark. It appears that the technician forgot to add the new oil and, esentially, the truck was waiting for me on their lot with no engine oil (or very little). The engine started but after about a minute it stopped with the 'engine oil' light and 'service engine soon' lights on.

I quickly got the maintenance staff at Ford to check it out; and they tried to start it and it barely turned over...he then checked the oil and admitted it was very low. They profusely apologized and immediately provided me with a replacement car while they 'look at' what the problem may be.

I am not very mechanically minded so would appreciate some advice here...this very much sounds like negligence to me and I need to know if my truck will be permanently damaged as a result. Even if they get it running okay,,,will it affect the overall life of this engine?

I am sure it was an honest, but very stupid, mistake. However, I do not want to be the one paying for it in the end. Also, will this affect my Ford ESP warranty coverage?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Apr-02 AT 05:57 AM (EST)]You need a new engine. There is really no way around this.

They did a very bad thing to your truck. I'm scratching my head, trying to understand how they could do that.

The pistons and rings have enough lubrication to run for at least a few seconds without a crankcase full of oil but it's the crankcase itself, the lower end bearings that truely require proper lubrication. The fact the the engine shut itself down and had trouble turning over is a god indicator the the bearings were turning on very little, possible no oil and are probably in millions of tiny little peices.

I'm hoping that you have your service receipt. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. Dealers have insurance for this sort of thing.

 

Sounds like they did you in. I would expect, at the least, a NEW short block, not an overhaul. Stand your ground and don't let the dealership walk all over you.

Good Luck.

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'94 E-150 Conversion Van 4.9 / C-6 -- '89 Mustang LX 5.0

 

Thank you for your prompt responses, that is exactly the information I need and at least i am a little more prepared for when i arrive at the dealership.

 

Let us know how this turns out.

Good luck.

 

Well, you folks know your stuff. The service manager's reply when I asked how my truck was went something like: "not good, not good at all". He went on to say he will do everything necessary to fix it like new, such as replacing cylinders and bearings...he mentioned stuff like a short box or a long box replacement depending on extent of damage.

My brother thinks they will try and 'hide' their mistake and claim it as a warranty covered problem so they don''t have to pay for it themselves. I disagree with that line of ethics and am taking a pre-emptive strike by writing to Ford; Ford's Extended Service Plan office; and the general manager at this dealership all with a caution that this is clearly a negligent act and I will not settle for anything else but a replacement truck OR a new engine with seven year / 175,000 km extended warranty coverage plus a few additional perks or I will take them to court and make it a very publicized issue.

They have been very good abut all this thus far, but then again it was their mistake...so we will see what happens when I get a little aggressive about the repair issues. Thanks again for the advice on this, it was beneficial.

 

>Well, you folks know your stuff. The service manager's
>reply when I asked how my truck was went something like:
>"not good, not good at all". He went on to say he will do
>everything necessary to fix it like new, such as replacing
>cylinders and bearings...he mentioned stuff like a short box
>or a long box replacement depending on extent of damage.
>
>My brother thinks they will try and 'hide' their mistake and
>claim it as a warranty covered problem so they don''t have
>to pay for it themselves. I disagree with that line of
>ethics and am taking a pre-emptive strike by writing to
>Ford; Ford's Extended Service Plan office; and the general
>manager at this dealership all with a caution that this is
>clearly a negligent act and I will not settle for anything
>else but a replacement truck OR a new engine with seven year
>/ 175,000 km extended warranty coverage plus a few
>additional perks or I will take them to court and make it a
>very publicized issue.
>
>They have been very good abut all this thus far, but then
>again it was their mistake...so we will see what happens
>when I get a little aggressive about the repair issues.
>Thanks again for the advice on this, it was beneficial.

You said the dealer intended to renew the cylinders and bearings. This sounds like an overhaul, not a new engine, which you are entitled to. Quite frankly, the engine will never be the same again. Continue to stand your ground. If they are giving you a brand new COMPLETE ENGINE great!! if not, I would be doing just as you said you would do, that is writng to Ford and having them do the righ thing. Kepp te forum in touch, would love to here the outcome!!!!!!!