Major engine problem at 60K

[keathk523]

Alright, here is the deal. I bought a 2003 XLT with 40k miles on it a little over a year ago. After I had had it for about two months the car started over heating and the radiator blew. I took it in and got that fixed. About two months after that the car started over heating again so, I took it back in this time they just put more anti freeze in it and told me there was nothing wrong. Sure enough after about a month it started overheating again. Took it in, and again Ford told me there was nothing wrong with it. Of course it started over heating again and so I took it in again. This time they kept it for a while and decided that it was thermastat. So, they replaced it and charged me around $400. Now the overheating stopped for about 4 or 5 months. Then it started up again. It would overheat, i would have to stop and put water in it and then the problem would be gone for a while. So, then I go in for a standard oil change and the guy comes to get me because the oil is white, from mixing with the coolant. The guy at the oil place says he thinks it is bad head gasket. So, again I take the car back to Ford. They say they have to take it all apart to see, but it is probably going to need a new engine and that will be around $5,000. I tell them that I can't afford that and to see if I can qualify for assistance from ford. This is around christmas time so I have to wait basically a month for the Ford rep to look at. Well finally they call yesterday and tell methat they have great news, they will replace the engine for only $2600.

I would just like some feedback b/c to me it feels like I am still getting screwed, or maybe ya'll think this is as good of a deal as I am going to get.

Thanks in adavance for any respone.

 

[smo0othride]

Well I have no idea why it keeps overheating, but I sure would be very mad if I had to replace an engine at 60k miles. I am hoping to get atleast 200k out of mine. Do you have the 4.6L or the 5.4? Also, did it come with maintenance records? If so, did the previous owner follow the regular maintenance schedule?

 

[Exped2002]

i have an 02 with 58,897 and its running strong...i wonder what happened

 

[BryanRivera]

I think you are being or got screwed

My hypothesis is that your head gasket was defective and in the road for blowing, with subsequent overheating of the engine, the head gasket sure enough completed the blowing process.

It is not for you to pay, not even a penny, especially since you already got screwed, *****, whatever you want to call it, with the thermostat. It is very easy to replace and it is relatively cheap. But by them doing so, you bought yourself an insurance, since the vehicle was taken over many times for the same reason, they probably missed the diagnosis and replaced the thermostat, because they didnt know what to look for. So they didn't find nor treat the real problem. Hence, it is their fault and you should not have to pay a penny.

You should get a lawyer involved since they will deny and refuse everything I have just told you.