Did I Hurt it!!

[ssmock]

Took a road-trip out to Reno NV from Kansas City towing my enclosed auto trailer. This trip is about 1650 miles one way. Was kind of on my bucket list to do attending Hot August Nights in Reno. I made a lot of gas companies profitable on this trip!

Trailer is a new all aluminum 22' with 10K axles. Empty weight of the trailer is 2,300 lbs and the car I tow is a 64 Buick Special convertible weighing in at 3,200 lbs. All in at 6,000 with the trailer and car. The Expy is a 2014 Limited 4X4 with the factory heavy duty towing package, 91K miles. Should be well under the maximum capacity of the Expy. The truck towed the trailer very well and only struggled a couple of times going over a couple of steep grades. Used the Tow / Haul feature during the trip and got 8 to 9 miles per gallon average. Did I say it was 1650 miles!!

Anyway, it only used a 1/2 quart of oil during the whole trip and that was added on the way back to Kansas City. I had changed the oil before leaving on this trip. As I said a couple of times it was wound pretty tight going over a 7% grade but it kept 50 to 60 mph speed. When I got back that next week I noticed a slight valve / lifter tick upon starting. Since I put another 3,500 miles on it I had the oil changed again. Ford dealer changes the oil since it still has the extended warranty and uses 5W20 weight motor-craft oil every 3K to 5K miles. I still get a slight ticking upon cold start up and can hear it only accelerating next to cars or along a guard rail after it warms up. It's not loud but it is there, increases with speed and wasn't noticeable before. Think maybe I wore out a lifter or something? Also could be a manifold exhaust leak I guess as I have heard those ticking back in the day, opens when cold and closes up as it expands when hot. Not too familiar with the new engines and the management systems they have. I hate putting additives in as well but maybe try some Seafoam or Marvel Mystery oil or something. The car (engine) is still under the Ford Extended warranty and it would cost $125 I guess to check it out but just wondering what others on the board thought. Thanks for any input, great forum.

 

[Don Hall]

ssmock: "The car (engine) is still under the Ford Extended warranty and it would cost $125 to check it out......"

I think you have provided a sage solution.

 

[JExpedition07]

It’s under warranty, take it in. Don’t mention the towing even though it’s well within the limits as you’d be giving them ammo.

 

[Trainmaster]

Worth $125 to document a future problem and possible get a fix.

 

[TheDoug]

Worth $125 to document a future problem and possible get a fix.

Do this

 

[Adieu]

ONLY lost half a quart of oil?

On a '14 with <100k, that's imho kinda atrocious... then again, I believe in feeding these things Rotella T6 Diesel 5w40 full synth

 

[ssmock]

Thanks for the comments guys! I'll see what the dealer says. I do stand corrected it was a full quart low toward the end of the trip. I really like this truck and being able to tow a trailer in comfort is a plus. My car is not a trailer queen, its 55 year's old and without power steering or air conditioning driving it over 200 miles is a chore. Thanks again for the comments!

 

[Adieu]

Imho it shouldn't be eating oil at all

 

[08navigator]

There's a good chance you cracked an exhaust manifold or a few of the manifold bolts broke and you now have a leak. I would definitely let Ford deal with it if you have the warranty. The manifolds are a pain in the ass to get out.

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[rjdelp7]

Timing chain rattle? Cam phaser? The overhead cam engine has 'roller followers' and lash adjusters. Using an oil additive that thickens the oil, can damage them. A leaky manifold will sound like a tick.

 

[ssmock]

Thanks for the responses. Never used any additives and it does sound like a leak somewhere. I'm taking it in next week as soon as I can get an appointment.

 

[ssmock]

O8navigator was right on with the cracked manifold. The dealer checked it out and that was or is the problem. It's on the drivers side which is the more labor intensive side. The service adviser said they are indeed a ***** to repair and usually involves broken bolts and studs which adds hours to the job. Gave me an estimate of upwards $1,500 to $1,700 for this repair. I told him I have the ESP warranty until 100,000 miles and the truck now has 94K. He said that's a good thing and is scheduling the repair. For once the Ford ESP extended warranty pays off.

 

[ssmock]

O8navigator was right on with the cracked manifold. The dealer checked it out and that was or is the problem. It's on the drivers side which is the more labor intensive side. The service adviser said they are indeed a ***** to repair and usually involves broken bolts and studs which adds hours to the job. Gave me an estimate of upwards $1,500 to $1,700 for this repair. I told him I have the ESP warranty until 100,000 miles and the truck now has 94K. He said that's a good thing and is scheduling the repair. For once the Ford ESP extended warranty pays off.

 

[08navigator]

O8navigator was right on with the cracked manifold. The dealer checked it out and that was or is the problem. It's on the drivers side which is the more labor intensive side. The service adviser said they are indeed a ***** to repair and usually involves broken bolts and studs which adds hours to the job. Gave me an estimate of upwards $1,500 to $1,700 for this repair. I told him I have the ESP warranty until 100,000 miles and the truck now has 94K. He said that's a good thing and is scheduling the repair. For once the Ford ESP extended warranty pays off.

Good to hear it's covered. I think the dealer usually pulls the engine to remove the manifold. Us normal folk have to get it out without doing that and it's terrible!

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[ssmock]

No mention of pulling the engine, he just said it usually takes a number of extra hours due to broken bolts they always seem to have to deal with. Plus being in the drivers side which is harder to get to. How does a exhaust manifold get cracked anyway? Engine under a load like pulling a trailer do it or cheaply made parts combination of both?

 

[rjdelp7]

No mention of pulling the engine, he just said it usually takes a number of extra hours due to broken bolts they always seem to have to deal with. Plus being in the drivers side which is harder to get to. How does a exhaust manifold get cracked anyway? Engine under a load like pulling a trailer do it or cheaply made parts combination of both?

The exhaust manifold studs break, because Ford uses cheap stuff and they rot out. The manifold warps slightly and eventually may crack. I was told they make/use a stronger replacement studs and gaskets. The engine stays in the vehicle. The plastic inner fenders are removed to swap them out. The shop time varies, due to where the stud broke off. If they break flush with the head, they need to be extracted(appx.30min per stud). Ford has a 'specialized' tool, for this bad design. The stud/bolt/gasket kit is about $85 and the new(always replace them) manifolds are around $90/each. The rest is labor(5-7hrs). $1700 sound a bit high. Mine were around $550/per side. The passenger side is the harder side. This problem is one of the reasons, I will not buy another Ford.

 

[ssmock]

When the service advisor was quoting the price over the phone he forgot I had the Ford ESP warranty good until 100k miles. Said he needs to call on the approval, get parts and schedule the time. Maybe that's why the comment $1500 to $1700. I never really trust the dealers especially some of the service advisors.

 

[rjdelp7]

When the service advisor was quoting the price over the phone he forgot I had the Ford ESP warranty good until 100k miles. Said he needs to call on the approval, get parts and schedule the time. Maybe that's why the comment $1500 to $1700. I never really trust the dealers especially some of the service advisors.

Its a tough job to quote, because of not knowing how many studs are broke. My service advisor has seen enough of these, usually expects 3 per side. The ones on the back of the engine. Mine broke with enough sticking out, the mechanic 'vise gripped' them out. He said, any that need to be extracted in the head, would be around $50/each.

 

[ssmock]

Just wanted to give everyone a update. Picked up the Expedition after letting the dealer have if for 4 days and the cracked manifold has been replaced. Much quieter now. Work order said they had three bolts / studs broken off and had to be drilled. The dealer gave me a loaner car the whole time it was in their shop and that was not in my service contract so that was a plus. Hopefully, the passenger side manifold will be ok as I only have about 5K miles left on my Ford ESP extended warranty. This one only costs the deductible of $109.

 

[Adieu]

Maybe that's why the comment $1500 to $1700. I never really trust the dealers especially some of the service advisors.

As well you shouldn't