Help! Blown Engine. Warranty Issue?

[Jhall302]

I am writing on behalf of my grandmother in law. She really needs some help! She has a 2001 Explorer sport trac with the 4.0 6 cyl engine with 75k miles on it. She was driving on the highway on a long trip home and the air condition just stopped on her and white smoke began pouring out the back of the car. Seeing this, she immediately pulled off the road and called someone to get her. When the ford dealer finally looked at the car, it came back that the engine would need to be replaced. It turns out that somehow a pop rivet got lodged in the water pump impeller and jamed it. This caused the motor to overheat rather quickly. Luckily, she has an extended warranty that is still valid. However, they are calling an expert to come out to see if it will cover it. My question is how can a pop rivet get into the cooling system? Could it have come from the thermostat or water pump itself? I know a little more than average about working on cars and I have never heard of such a thing. I am worried they will think she or someone else tried to sabatoge it somehow for a new motor. The also brought up the point that she should have seen some light and cut it off before the motor burned itself up. She is pretty good about watching her guages and she says no light came on even as the smoke was pouring out.

We do have one thing on her side. She bought it new and has always taken it to the ford dealer for ANY repair or maintenance. However, this is a different dealer the car is at now, so I dont know how much that will count for.

If possible, please give me any ammo I can use to help her. The quote for the repair is going to be $5k to $7k if she has to pay and she doesnt have that kind of money. She is a 71 year old on a fixed income. Please help and thanks again!

Stephen

 

[Majisto]

White smoke? Definitely sounds like a warped head gasket or something along those lines, but on the SOHC? I will say that on some Contours, the water pump impeller can crack, causing the car to over-heat, but not show any of the usual symptoms. Can't see this happening on an X, and the temp. gauge should have climbed towards the red zone before anything bad happened.

 

[aldive]

Before she does anything get it to the dealer where she purchased it for a second quote.

Good luck .........

 

[douglasd1951]

I have a 2001 Ford Sport Trac with a trashed body front to back and side to side but the engine, drive train, suspension is all good. This rig was highway only but the previous owner made a habit of too many bumps scrapes a deer and a t-bone on the passenger side. You could have it cheap and have someone switch out the engine.

 

[Blee1099]

look at the date.. 2006

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Not to stress you any more, but when you said extended warranty I shuddered.

They are not worth the paper there printed on the dealer always tried to weasel out of it. I was always told "we need to call Ford to see if it is covered". Short story nothing ever was.

Good Luck.:thumbdwn:

 

[snoranger]

Not to stress you any more, but when you said extended warranty I shuddered.

They are not worth the paper there printed on the dealer always tried to weasel out of it. I was always told "we need to call Ford to see if it is covered". Short story nothing ever was.

Good Luck.:thumbdwn:

I dont think he's stressing it anymore. The thread is 5 years old.

 

[swetrid]

Just for some info the thermostat comes apart and pieces end up in water pump and lock up pump. I have 10-15 come in with same problem.

 

[ncranchero]

And, I have a good friend who is a member here that is quite pleased with his extended warranty..... right Ray?