Help, my 2021 Platinum died tonight…

[scottfmc]

Some people think that just because they have a leased vehicle that they can just return it with outstanding issues and walk away. As far as I know, and I could be mistaken, all outstanding issues have to be taken care of before the dealer 'signs off' on the lease. I have never had an outstanding warranty repair so I don't know about that. In my case, because of the extremely low mileage, the dealer has bought the vehicles from Ford and put them up for sale. In 3 instances they even paid the final year of lease payments when I leased another vehicle from them.

Peter

Got it. Good info for others then.

I'm at the front-end of this lease (about my 10th or 11th), so I understand your caution. It'll all be water waaaay under the bridge by lease-end. I was just wondering if you were asserting some sort of issue at lease-end just because this exchange was done. I respect your knowledge, so I never assume that I know something you do not! Had to check!

Scott

 

[scottfmc]

Engine has arrived, but dealer only has one tech capable (I hope!) of handling the repair. Fingers crossed. Will be next week at best. Will report back.

 

[scottfmc]

Dealer called me yesterday to say that this was their first such engine change-out for a 2020 or 2021 Explorer and it is going very slowly as they have to document, via pictures, the entire process. Been working on it since Monday the 20th, but do not expect to be done before late next week. 64+ hours to replace a engine with a pre-built engine (less fuel lines, accessories). Is that reasonable? 64+ hours? What will Ford reimburse them in hours? I feel like they are BS'ing me.

 

[peterk9]

Dealer called me yesterday to say that this was their first such engine change-out for a 2020 or 2021 Explorer and it is going very slowly as they have to document, via pictures, the entire process. Been working on it since Monday the 20th, but do not expect to be done before late next week. 64+ hours to replace a engine with a pre-built engine (less fuel lines, accessories). Is that reasonable? 64+ hours? What will Ford reimburse them in hours? I feel like they are BS'ing me.

If they are having to document everything with photographs it is naturally going to take longer than a normal engine swap. Also, as you mentioned, this is their first such replacement. It is best to take have them take their time and hopefully get it done right, then to hurry and get it wrong.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Scott.

Peter

 

[Argentimage]

Dealer called me yesterday to say that this was their first such engine change-out for a 2020 or 2021 Explorer and it is going very slowly as they have to document, via pictures, the entire process. Been working on it since Monday the 20th, but do not expect to be done before late next week. 64+ hours to replace a engine with a pre-built engine (less fuel lines, accessories). Is that reasonable? 64+ hours? What will Ford reimburse them in hours? I feel like they are BS'ing me.

Stop in unannounced and request to see your car immediately

Better walk in there in a way that they can’t fake it being worked on

Many dealers have it so hidden now your best bet is to check out the back lot after hours and when you arrive, if your car is outside you know they aren’t being honest!

Some will not have the space or not want to give up a service bay if there is no mechanic actively on the spot

While Ford service division can ask for proof of work being done, this sounds fishy if they implied Ford never changed an engine before and needed to see how it was done

To the contrary before these got released to the public the repair process was developed by Frod and distributed to all dealers via their computer system, including pictures.

 

[buzzard302]

Dealer called me yesterday to say that this was their first such engine change-out for a 2020 or 2021 Explorer and it is going very slowly as they have to document, via pictures, the entire process. Been working on it since Monday the 20th, but do not expect to be done before late next week. 64+ hours to replace a engine with a pre-built engine (less fuel lines, accessories). Is that reasonable? 64+ hours? What will Ford reimburse them in hours? I feel like they are BS'ing me.

I doubt they are BS'ing you. If they only have one technician available to do the work, then that's all they have. Yes, it takes a long time to change an engine, especially having to document the process. Ford reimburses the dealership for the cost of the parts, plus a set labor rate (there are book labor times for warranty operations).

Plus, it's going on a holiday week. The timing is tough for everyone. Have faith, maybe they'll get it right and you'll be happy with the outcome.

 

[Argentimage]

I doubt they are BS'ing you. If they only have one technician available to do the work, then that's all they have. Yes, it takes a long time to change an engine, especially having to document the process. Ford reimburses the dealership for the cost of the parts, plus a set labor rate (there are book labor times for warranty operations).

Plus, it's going on a holiday week. The timing is tough for everyone. Have faith, maybe they'll get it right and you'll be happy with the outcome.

Spot on thank you Jack I forgot to include that in my prior reply

The labor hours to do this job are less than 20

If you look deep enough you can find details on the web

My estimate inside the factory is 8 hours or less

You would never have a factory with a 64 hour turnaround time on an engine change

Ever.

As often as this happens… never ever.

And 64 hours are 64

Doesn’t matter when it is

The only thing that matters is when do they plan to work those 64 hours and it sounds like it’s being stretched out

I’d be at that dealer looking at my car

Nuf said

 

[rscalzo]

Bad gas tank placement in the Pinto and the Crown Vic?

The Crown Vic issue was inexperienced techs installing fleet equipment and drilling into the tank.
The more serious issue was the power steering pump in early versions.

 

[scottfmc]

So NOW, the new fuel lines had a crack. Had to order new fuel lines from Ford. We're 3 weeks into the engine changeout, No end in sight,

 

[Argentimage]

So NOW, the new fuel lines had a crack. Had to order new fuel lines from Ford. We're 3 weeks into the engine changeout, No end in sight,

Did you stop in and request to see your car?

Same thing on the fuel libes

They don’t crack on their own

Again first hand experience from the indide

If they cracked
It’s likely operator error snd they didn’t release the clip and broke them

Better be watchful if their write up

 

[scottfmc]

Did you stop in and request to see your car?

Same thing on the fuel libes

They don’t crack on their own

Again first hand experience from the indide

If they cracked
It’s likely operator error snd they didn’t release the clip and broke them

Better be watchful if their write up

Unfortunately no, out of town for Christmas. Not back until this weekend.

 

[Bluesnake01]

Can't you ask for a buyback if its been over a month and still making payments?

 

[scottfmc]

Can't you ask for a buyback if its been over a month and still making payments?

Ford has already agreed to refund my payments AFTER the repair is done/verified. If not done correctly, I may go down the buy-back path.

 

[94Eddie]

I'm constantly amazed at the negativity I read here about dealers and their repair attempts. I'm sure glad I haven't had similar experiences here with those I've dealt with.

There are two Ford dealers within 15 minutes of me. One I trust fully. The other one I wouldn't trust to change a light bulb. The reasons are from personal experience. The bad dealer has failed to diagnose many issues over 2-3 vehicles. Things as small as a disconnected vacuum line is something they have failed to diagnose to a bad electronic transmission controller in our 2015 Edge. The good dealer found the issue with the Edge immediately and fought for the proper repair to be done with the warranty company. The bad dealer kept replacing the same part time and time again. The Edge has run fine since the repair was done right 30k miles ago. The transmission issue was the real eye opener for me concluding the bad shop has systemic issues in their service department.

I am not throwing all dealers under the bus but there are plenty of ones who just don't seem to care about doing quality work. I think they just have poorly trained techs in many dealerships for which I fault the upper management staff.

 

[94Eddie]

Dealer called me yesterday to say that this was their first such engine change-out for a 2020 or 2021 Explorer and it is going very slowly as they have to document, via pictures, the entire process. Been working on it since Monday the 20th, but do not expect to be done before late next week. 64+ hours to replace a engine with a pre-built engine (less fuel lines, accessories). Is that reasonable? 64+ hours? What will Ford reimburse them in hours? I feel like they are BS'ing me.

I would rather they take longer to get it right than throw it in and have perpetual issues down the road.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Did you stop in and request to see your car?

Same thing on the fuel libes

They don’t crack on their own

Again first hand experience from the indide

If they cracked
It’s likely operator error snd they didn’t release the clip and broke them

Better be watchful if their write up

Get broken, cracked, generally bad parts from Ford all of the time it's a constant battle for Ford technicians, that Job might pay 20 hours but I'm guessing it will take that technician quite a bit more time than that to do the job but yes 64 hours does seem excessive. Ford is losing experienced technicians at a alarming rate due to the flat rate pay plans most dealership use. Tech shortage continues to worsen: new study - Auto Service World

 

[scottfmc]

Getting vehicle back today. Will report out later.

 

[scottfmc]

Cause: Started the vehicle & verified the rough running concern notice the fuel level low checked for DTC's foundP2282 P0306 P0305 P0313 had 5 gallons of fuel added to the vehicle prior to road test after due to the P0313 cleared the DTC's & reran the self test after clearing the DTC's the misfire DTC's did return performed a power balance on &verified cylinder 6 misfiring at all operating modes performed a relative compression test had a 6% loss on cylinder 6 also performed fuel system test high & low systems passed swapped the #1 ignition coil & plug with #6 &reran the power balance no change present ruled out the ignition system I removed the spark plug on cylinder 6 &began a cylinder leak down test & the gauge showed a 68 %loss & could audibly hear air escaping the throttle body with #6 at TDC & all the valve close I then inspected using a bore scope & found damage to the piston from the valve using the bore scope mirror attachment aimed at the valves found a bent valve also found scoring on the cylinder bore. Contacted hotline. Correction: Contact ID 118524555 based on the hotline instructions longblock recommended under LTIS due to short block damaged found with boroscope. Evacuated the AC system then removed the engine assembly per WSM instructions replaced the longblock assembly then reinstalled the engine assembly vacuum bleed the cooling system recharged the AC system cleared the DTC's & reran the self test the test passed road tested the vehicle to verify the repairs the road test passed.

 

[joney]

It jumped timing and bent the valves? (my guess) Wonder how it happened, such a new vehicle.

 

[scottfmc]

First 20 miles no Check Engine Light. Tranny is acting differently, but I suspect it will have to recalibrate. So far so good.