Gave in brought x to dealer

[BillM]

I wish there was a icon with a guy bending over
and Ford shoving it up his butt cause that's how
I am going to feel. I finally gave in and brought
my 98 X to the dealer. It is making a rubbing noise in the steering rack when turning left,
there is a vibration when you accelerate in the
drivetrain,the a/c lost is charge AGAIN, and
it is making a metal on metal sound from the front
of the engine. I was told the last would be fixed under program. It only has 55,000 miles on it.
Ask me if I'll buy a Fords again.

Bill M
Mystic, CT

 

[TPLYNCH]

I believe there was a recall (or TSB) on the power steering hoses for '98's, replacing them with a larger diameter hose. That may be covered as well.......

 

[BillM]

Program for timing chain turned into new motor.

I got word from the dealer on the problems.
The a/c needs a new accumalater,they feel no
vibration when accelerating,the power steering
is a hose and a new bracket for the hose.
This is an updated part by Ford. Not a recall or
program as they call it now. They should be paying for that. I'll argue it later, beacuase the
program for the timing chain and gear has somehow
turned into a new motor. Yes, Ford is paying for a new motor to be installed. The person there today couldn't elaborate on the reason ,but I'll find out more tomorrow. I only have 55,000 miles on the
explorer now. I'll still have a bill for 325.oo
for the power steering hose and my deductible on the a/c repair. Like I said before though I am going to argue the hose and bracket. Did anyonelse get Ford to pay for this repair.

Bill M
98 XLT

 

[Jason_25]

Re: Program for timing chain turned into new motor.

Originally posted by BillM
they feel no
vibration when accelerating,

Do they ever? Anytime I take my truck in and complain about something not being right, the mechanic's response is "seems normal to me".

 

[Jon_Herr]

???

Did the updated steering hose part fix the problem?

I understand there is also a related exhaust bracket involved.

I too have this vibration, and I have the TSB info but have been reluctant to fix...

 

[BillM]

The bracket and hose fixed the steering noise. Not the vibration though. Are you looking at a TSB for a vibration?or the one for the Steering noise? I have to
bring it back soon because I think the
exhaust bracket from the steering fix
makes noise when cold. If I could just
get rid of the vibration and maybe I would not want to burn my X to the ground.

 

[Jon_Herr]

TSB # 98-21-1

Noise - Boom / Grunt / Groan / Moan During Idle, Engine Hot or Cold - SOHC vehicles.

A vehicle vibration may be present during a hot or cold idle condition and/or audible "Boom / Grunt / Groan / Moan " may be present between 700-800 rpm during a cold start and low vehicle speed. This concern may be more noticeable on left turns. This may be caused by exhaust system vibration when the engine firing frequency lines up with a resonant frequency of the exhaust system.

Action:

....Install y-Brace on exhaust

Service Procedure:
1. Reprogram the PCM with the latest calibration. Refer to TSB 98-1-18 (Do not reprogram 1998 vehicles built after 2/14/98). The new calibrations limit the amount of time the vehicle will spend in the critical rpm range.

2. Neutralize the exhaust system per explorer workshop manual, page 100-04-29.

3. Install new pressure Power Steering Hose (F87Z-3A719-JA). Isolate the metal lines on the steering assembly (use rubber hose). Refer to figures 1 and 2.

4. Install the new exhaust brace. The top Y portion of the brace attaches to two (2) bolts at the bottom of the transmission bellhousing per the following process:
a. Install Y brace (F87Z-5K249-AA)to transmission bellhousing hand tight.
b. Attach to the left catalyst converter brace (F87Z-5A231-BA) using 2" U bolt.
c. Torque transmission bellhousing bolts to 30NM (22 lb-ft)
d. Torque the U bolt to 40N-M (30 lbft)

Obtain a new emissions sticker... blah, blah, blah.

Good luck! Please let me know if this works for you!

Jon

 

[Jon_Herr]

PCM

Maybe they didn't reprogram your PCM?

 

[Jon_Herr]

Motor details

I have some details as to why a chain recall can turn in to a motor replacement.

If the condition has persisted long enough for the plastic guides to fracture and fall in to the pan they can result in restricted oil flow to the upper engine. This damages the engine and is generally not serviceable.

That's the long and the short.

Basically they do an inspection of how bad the guides look and conditionally perform some other tests to the engine to determine the severity of damage.

 

[sideswipe]

I also had my engine replaced in my 98 at 60k miles under the 00M12/01M01 recall. Thew new engine also comes with a new warranty.