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Robert Preston Coates - Cam Failure #281

new 7/8/03, updated 3/9/04


Tim and Larry,

I was the one diagnosed with an intake runner two weeks ago but was hearing a clicking from the engine. Everyone on the list told me to not drive it and I agreed but my ride to work last Wednesday fell through and I had to go down to the office and had no other choice. Of course the cam failed on my way home. Anyway, I am about to call Ford but I know I'm not getting anywhere with them. Once I get some details from them, I will fill out the complete form. Right now here's #1 - #10:

1999 Silver Frost

1. VIN# - 1FAFP54N8XA239234

2. Date of malfunction 07/02/2003

3. Where did the malfunction take place (highway, city streets, driveway, parking lot, etc.)- Turning from a 2 lane number road to a side street.

4. Odometer reading at time of malfunction - 78,267

5. How fast were you traveling? - ~15mph

6. Were you accelerating or staying at a constant speed? - I was decelerating into the turn. The engine failed in the middle of the turn.

7. Estimated date of purchase, new or used? - 1/31/2002, Used

8. Estimated Odometer reading at time of purchase - 32,983

9. Full Name, address, and a good phone# to reach you at during the day and night. - Robert Preston Coates (go by Preston)

10. Brief description of the time of events leading towards the malfunction. (what did you hear and see before, during, and after the malfunction) Throughout the late winter into the spring my "Coolant Low" light was coming on occasionally but everything was OK with the coolant level. Eventually, it was on all the time and I e-mailed the list and got some suggestions mid June. The reason why I bring this up was that I was checking the engine constantly and did not notice a ticking. Sometime during the week of 6/16 I noticed that my check engine light came on. It came on as soon as I started and stayed on all the time. I made a appointment with the dealer to check it out. Since I was traveling the next week, I gave it to my father in law to bring it to his mechanic. He pulled the code and said it had something to do with the intake which he couldn't take care of plus he noticed a ticking sound that I was starting to hear. I brought it to the dealer on 6/28 and they diagnosed the car with a bad intake runner. They also said the sound was because of that and not the cam issue which I asked about three times. They assured me that the car was OK to drive until the part came in the week after. I was able to stay out of it due to the advise of the mailing list until 7/2 when I had the failure. The ticking was about the same as it was during the dealership. I did not hear anything when the engine quit but I noticed the warning lights come on and lost my steering as I was making a turn. I coasted to a stop and tried to turn it once. It started once but I heard mechanical sounds coming from the engine so I stopped it. There was no liquid loss but the dipstick was not pushed all the way down.

The dealership was kind enough to offer me a Ford Rebuilt engine and labor for only $22,300 or a used engine from a junk yard installed for $6500. The engine they found has 71K on it which for some reason I don't trust. I have been in contact with Kirk and am figuring out my options. The dealer has not offered anything more than the loaner which I have to return 7/10 and take the car if I don't want to have them do their options. I talked to the service manager today who started out by denying that I said there was a sound. I was able to see the cam spin on the sprocket like it was a bearing. The cam that went was the intake on the front bank. I'll send you more details after I talk to Ford.


Update 3/9/04

Want to add the following from the previous owner before the ad?? This is gettin kinda good here. I've been trying to respond to these messages but it doesn't look like they are getting to the list. That car is my old one, as far as I know it was never fixed. It sat in the dealers lot for several months while the wholesaler that bought it tried to find an engine. For some strange reason he couldn't find any and must have given up and put it up at an auction. I don't know how he knows the engine only needs 1000K in parts, the dealer told me it was up to 22K. Also, I don't know how he knows the tranny was perfect since the car can't drive but I didn't recall any problems with it. Just some info in case anybody was interested. 

P. Coates


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Listed in category:   eBay Motors > Passenger Vehicles > Ford > Taurus
 1999  Ford : Taurus  SHO Item number: 2465374362
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Current bid: US $810.00 (Reserve not met)
 
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Start time: Mar-07-04 12:31:57 PST
History: 4 bids   (US $100.00 starting bid)
High bidder: 94fastang ( 13Feedback score is 10 to 49)
Item location: HIGHLAND MILLS,NEW YORK
United States /New York
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chefbeni ( 72Feedback score is 50 to 99)
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Item Specifics -
 Ford Taurus 4 Doors SHO
1999 FORD TAURUS "SHO MECHANICS SPECIAL"
Mileage: 78200   VIN: 1FAFP54N8XA239234
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Number of Cylinders: 8   Type of Title: Clear  
Transmission: Automatic   Interior Color: Gray  
Warranty: Free Limited Warranty   Exterior Color: Silver  
Standard:
DUAL AIR BAGS   ABS   POWER STEERING   POWER DOOR LOCKS  
AUTOMATIC   2 WHEEL DRIVE   POWER WINDOWS   LEATHER  
CASSETTE   8 CYLINDER 3.4 LITER   POWER SEAT DRIVER    
Optional:
REAR SPOILER   AIR CONDITIONING   SUNROOF   CRUISE CONTROL  
AM/FM RADIO        

 Seller chefbeni assumes full responsibility for the content of this listing and the item offered.

Vehicle Description

THIS IS A 1999 FORD TAURUS,"SHO".WITH 78,200 MILES.CAR IS SILVER IN COLOR,WHICH IS IN EX COND.INTERIOR IS GRAY LEATHER,WHICH IS IN EX COND.NO RIPS, TEARS ETC.POWER EVERYTHING,MOONROOF TRUNK,MIRRORS,WINDOWS,ETC.HAS A AM/FM CASS.FRONT TIRES ARE ABOUT 75% REARS ARE ABOUT 30%.HAS ALUMINUM WHEELS.OK,NOW YOU ASK WHY MECHANICS SPECIAL.THE CAR WAS PURSCHASED AT AUCTION .DIDNT REALIZE THAT IT NEEDED,1 CAMSHAFT 8 VALVES,AND A HEAD GASKET SET.PRICED ALL THIS STUFF AND CAME OUT TO ABOUT $1000.+LABOR.SO IF YOUR A MECHANIC,OR NO OF ONE YOU ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.BOOK ON THIS CAR IS $11,000.I WILL SELL FOR ANYTHING OVER $3000. FORGOT TO MENTION TRANSMISSION IS ALSO PERFECT.CALL FOR ANY QUESTIONS.  845-590-7286.  THANKS BEN

Vehicle Condition

TINY DING ON TRUNK.

Terms of Sale

CAR NEEDS TO BE PAID IN FULL 4 DAYS AFTER AUCTION.I CAN ARRANGE FOR SHIPPING.




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