Many problems plus a small rant.

[Jonsen Sation]

Well I have a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer its a V-6 with a sohc.

My engine light came on recently and i took it to the mechanic to get fixed. The mechanic said he had to take apart the whole car to find out what the problem was and that it wasnt registering on any tests. They had to fix, I think the ECR something and clean a fuel filter, I think. It was suppose to get charged to my warrenty, but a guy from the warrenty place came over and said they wouldn't pay for the cost because I've been using regualr gas instead of premium or whatever it was. Well now that cost $1000 to get fixed.

It's 2 weeks later and now that same check engine light has come on again. I have no how to fix it or if its the same problem again.

On to my multiple problems. My gas milage is getting at most 250 miles per tank when before it use to get over 300 miles per tank. Anybody know any way I could fix this or why it does this.

My second problem is that whenever i start my truck in the cold it will rev up by itself and then go off. I have to keep the gas pedal press down just to get it to warm up untill it wont stop anymore. Once it gets a little warm it will finally stay on, but untill it warms all the way up it shakes pretty bad whenever the truck is stopped.

The last one I can think of right now is that whenever it is stopped it idles below the 1, when before it use to idle at the 1.

Also I've been looking those online manuals like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=7943796565&category=34221&sspagename=WDVW

Does anybody else have one of those and do you think its better than the chilton manual?

 

[Blee1099]

I could have swore the Mounties were all V8 Models then again I could be wrong. Get your truck scanned for OBDII codes and post the results. Definately clean the IAC & try cleaning the MAF sensor, it would help also.

 

[Doug]

Well unless you got some sorta special mountaineer they only came with the v8. As far as putting premium or mid-grade in your truck he is dead wrong. All explorer's are designed to run on 87 octane. Your idle problem more than likely is the idle air control valve and needs to be replaced.

 

[Jonsen Sation]

Yeah I though they were suppose to all be V-8s. Thats why I'm surprised mine isn't. My mounty dosent even have the keypad on the side of the door or leather seats like others do.

Also i remember another problem. My door unlock button on the drivers side dosen't work either. Could it be a fuse thats blown out or maybe the whole thing?

 

[Jonsen Sation]

Since the warrenty said they wouldn't pay for the work just because of the gas what should I do? Should I call them up and tell them that the type of gas dosen't matter or what?

 

[Xzibit A]

id call the warrenty comepany and call BS on them and refund the price of your warrenty or pay for the repair, second clean the IAC and that will fix the idle problem, cleaning the mass air meter will help the gas milage, and the drivers side lock is most likey because there is a broken wire in the door jamb( peel back the rubber beteen the door and truck and you will probibly see it) if not its a bad switch)

 

[IAmTodd]

Ok . Mounties came as the V6 OHC as well as the V8. See alot of both around my area.

The idleing problem is caused by a bad Idle Air Controler(IAC).

Your check engine light is signifying that the computer has a code to out put. And reputable shop should be able to pull this code and fix the problem some-what easily. Whatever shop you took your truck to is taking advantage of you. Go somewhere else.

I assume you have an aftermarket warranty (aren't they nice!). You should be able to take your vehicle to the dealer and have no problem getting it covered there, what company do you have your's through?

As far as the gas issue is concerned, you should be using regular. That is what the vehicle is programmed to run on, and you will actually cause harm to it by running premium.

Sounds like you're getting the run around by both the mechanic(leave him) and the warranty company, demand that they cover it, you paid for it, them must cover it!

Good Luck! The IAC is simple to replace and only about $60. I would replace that yourself and save the hassle.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

Do all of the above and find another mechanic who knows what he's talking about. A simple scan of the OBDII system would have pointed him in the general direction...regardless of what he says. A CEL will always provide a code to direct you. From now on, go to autozone, get the code scanned, and bring it to us here (SEARCH first, the post). We'll do our best to assist...

Take no offense, but that CD may be a bit above your head. Start small with a Haynes manual (or chilton's, but i prefer haynes), and work your way towards the CD. The book manuals are very well written and should help you a ton.

For the door lock, check the fuse first, then take the door apart and check for power at the switch. The Haynes can direct you for these simple tests...

Good Luck and again, find another mechanic.

 

[Jonsen Sation]

Wow, thanks for the advice everybody, you have all been very helpful.

My warrenty is through carmax. I'm going to be calling them first thing in the morning. When I call them should I really push that they reimburse? How about if they still keep refusing?

The reason I've been taking it to him is because once he found out I had a warrenty anytime I bring the car into to get fixed he just charges it all to the warrenty. He got me new tires and some other stuff that wasn't covered. He seemed like a nice guy too. Guess I won't be going there though anymore.

Right now I have the Chilton guide. I figured that the CD would provide a more simple guide, with trouble shooting tips. Does autozone charge to get the codes scanned?

Also can you clean the IAC or does it have to be replaced? Also Xzibit, you said clean the mass air meter, did you mean the Mass Air Flow Sensor and how hard is that to clean?

 

[Brain]

I wouldn't push for a refund, but instead that they cover their part of the deal according to the contract(s). Just because they don't get to make money at the contract isn't a valid reason that they don't cover it. Now, they might have gotten tired of being charged for things that aren't covered in the contract (tires etc.), and there could be repercussions if they find out about it being fraudulently turned in as a charge for other things, but that is a different issue all together. If you have the owner's manual, you can always site what octane fuel is suggested for the vehicle, but if the contract doesn't disclaim bad gas as a reason for not covering repair work, they can't use it as a valid reason to deny the claim. Period. Good luck, and at least give them the opportunity to make things right before threatening legal action (but you can't threaten legal action if you don't review the policy to make sure the disallowance is not legal). The contract is the final say.....

 

[Jonsen Sation]

They are suppose to pay for everything. The guy told me that the stuff he was given me was covered under warrenty and I would go back and look at it but couldn't find it. It was free stuff though so I just accepted it.

The warenty listed stuff that would void it and I don't remember reading anything about gas because if I read that I would remember it.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

Well, first off, don't say anything about using Premium, even if they ask! They're not going to send someone out to test your gas.

Next, the mechanic was so hot to help b/c they can charge the warranty co whatever markup they want (within reason) for the services they provide, much like general contractors when they're doing emergency work. This is y it cost you $1000 to replace an EGR valve and "clean the fuel filter."

BTW, i SURE hope you have more on that invoice than just those 2 things you listed.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Are you the original owner? Do you know if the intake manifold o-rings were ever replaced? search for 00M12 an 01M01 for thread relating to SOHC engine problems and extended warranty info from Ford.

Your rough idle and check engine light might be caused by unmetered air entering the engine, leaning it out. If you get the codes pulled (yes, autozone is free), or get the ones from your mechanic, then tell us and we can pinpoint the problem better.

 

[Jonsen Sation]

On the work sheet what listes is: diagnostics test. R&R mass air flow sensor, Clean injectors . EGR valve, Combustion camber, throttle body, purge fuel system. and the oil change I orginally went in for.

Thats exactly how it's listed on the sheet. All I did was ask him to check the engine light, then I called him to ask if my car was ready and he told me he was taking apart the whole car.

So when I call the warrenty do I just say that "I had a service done recently and that I was told the warrenty would cover it but they never did"

 

[Jonsen Sation]

I'm not the orginal owner I bought it used. I checked on the ford website and my suv only lists the recliner bolt recall nothing else.

I'm going to go get the codes checked right now.

 

[Jonsen Sation]

I called my carmax warranty and I was just told by automated message that I would have to mail a complaint to them. I have written my complaint and would like to know if this is basically what I should tell them or should I add any other stuff?

To whom it may concern:

On 12/07/04, I took my car in for service at a local mechanic. My check engine light was on and I asked him to check it out. He ran tests on it and had to keep my car over night. He told me to fix the problems would be covered on my warranty. I then went to go pay for the service and he told me that someone was sent over to figure out a problem with my vehicle and that they determined they would not cover the costs to repair my vehicle because I had been using regular gasoline. He said that my vehicle was supposed to be using supreme gasoline, since I wasn‘t, they wouldn‘t cover the vehicle due to negligence on my part. After asking around I found out that I was using the correct gas that my vehicle was suppose to use.

I’m am a little frustrated and confused as to why I had to pay for something that I was told would be covered by my warranty. I bought the warranty for the specific reason that if something was to occur, I would have them to help fix it.

I would like to say that even though my car has given me a few problems, I am still very satisfied with it.

Attached to this sheet I have a copy of the work order form from the mechanic regarding the problems.

 

[Eneurb]

Working at a Ford dealer, I have to deal with alot of aftermarket warranty companies, and it seems that too often they are more than willing to sell you the warranty, but when it comes time to use it, it's a whole different story. Alot, but not all, do what ever they can to "bounce" claims, like not pay for a window motor because you didn't flush you coolant at the recommended intervals. They also like to nickle and dime us to death on the things they do pay for. I know it isn't always an option, but Ford ESP is by far the way to go, and believe it or not, it is not much more expensive than aftermarket warranties. As far as I know, (I can't find anything related to octane ratings in the shop manual) my 1998 Explorer owners guide states a fuel rating of 87 octane. And as rare as it seems, Mountaineers were available with the same 3 engines that Explorers were available with.

 

[IAmTodd]

The thing about Ford's program is, the vehicle has to be purchased from the dealer, or a continuation of the factory warranty. Some of *us* have to purchase an aftermarket warranty to be covered. I have mine through Wynns. They seem to be quite reputable. You call and get your authorization number, take the truck to an authorized mechanic(I take it to the dealer since I don't have to pay), and the rest is between the mechanic and Wynns.

We have Ford's program on our '02 and its not different from the factory warranty. Hell, we took it in about the tranny not shifting right and they reprogrammed the computer for our oversized tires!

Writing them a letter is a bunch of BS. Wait till after the holiday and call them again. Keep calling, everyday, different times, until something gets done.

And the Mounty, to my knowledge was never made with the OHV.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, the earliest Mountaineers were V8 only, but quickly the V6 was available.

Is the door lock intermittent? My left door lock works at least half of the time, but it does fail to, often. It sounds like the MAF and throttle body have been cleaned. Once in a blue moon my engine will idle very low, and die. It is usually slowing to a stop when it does it, but it doesn't do it continuously.

It sounds like the mechanic was looking forward to helping you, and expecting a big repair to make his big profit.

You must have some problem which is killing your mileage. I used to get about 325 miles on a tank with my V8, until I installed 18" wheels. Now I usually buy gas at 275 to 300 miles. Mine is AWD, I assume you are driving in 2WD. Good luck,
DonW

 

[IAmTodd]

Holy crap, I'm lucky if I get 250 to a tank!