The Engine and the Oil Leak(s) - Phil Long Ford

jage · 02-20-2010, 05:56 PM

Turned the van in today under warranty. It's just barely under warranty too, depending on how you look at it. The factory engine and powertrain expires March 7th, 2010 and the extended only goes 365 days past that.

Phil Long came highly recommended for having the best Diesel techs around, and if the service manager I worked with is any indication, then my van is in good hands. I certainly hope that is true as the front crankshaft and the rear pan, or main or whatever are leaking. They are going to have to pull the engine to fix it. Ironically this is kind of what I wanted, since I've read a few accounts on here of dealers which feel it is necessary to pull the engine to do a quality leak repair in similar situations.

Still, it's been running great and I've put off doing this because I didn't want to monkey with the lack of functional problems. Good news though- the oldest, slowest, diesel tech is assigned to it. The service manager used the word meticulous when explaining his technique. Since I want it fixed right, not fast, and I'm willing to give them the time they need to do so I expressed that that's exactly the tech I would have choosen.

So, hold a good thought for my van... it's going to be away from home and under the knife until later this coming week.

bettyford · 02-20-2010, 07:07 PM

We will keep you SMB in or thoughts!!

Ron

**BroncoHauler** · 02-20-2010, 07:10 PM

When I hear the word meticulous when it comes to my SMB, I may just have to make a trip to Denver if I need service. Fingers crossed.

Herb

TwoVans · 02-20-2010, 08:11 PM

If they have already agreed to pay the labor to pull the engine, I would look into doing some of the upgrades mentioned in this video:

http://powerstrokehelp.com/video/video_homepage2.htm

In particular, the replacement of the head gasket and bolts. The labor to pull the engine is the most expensive part of those upgrades.

rnj · 02-20-2010, 08:13 PM

Haven’t been to Phil Long but I’ve had good service from other dealers.

Clutch, head gasket, & traction control on my Aero, Clutch on my CSE @ Mike Shaw SAAB Buick GMC on Colorado Blvd.

Intake gaskets & fuel gauge on Minivan (Replaced as agreed when I bought the van) GO Buick GMC on County Line.

Rear axle seals on my SMB @ Courtesy Ford on Broadway. I started to do it but couldn’t get the diff cover off and called them, they said to bring it in. They did it that afternoon. The diff shaft lock pin/bolt broke and they had to drill it out which took an extra hour. They said that can happen since the pin had been Loctited in for 15 years. I had bought a pin before I started as the manual said there were 2 types: single use and one good for 4 uses. I told them I had it so they knew they had one to replace it. They needed a real long drill bit (I think it was at least a foot long) as there isn’t much room to get a drill close enough to the differential to drill the pin out. I think I would have also broken it in my driveway and would have probably been down a week just looking for a drill bit so in this case it worked out for me.

I noticed you had an oil leak as I had a couple of new drops on my driveway after you left.

Randy

jage · 02-20-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnj

I noticed you had an oil leak as I had a couple of new drops on my driveway after you left.

Whoops. Sorry about that! I used to get drops at the old house, but strangely haven't had any from the van at my new place.

**daveb** · 02-20-2010, 09:36 PM

Jage, mine just came out of having the bed plate gasket replaced...man...I'm still a bit worried but thankfully they didn't have to replace the entire block like they said might have to be done. I guess the 6.0's are prone to this leak. It's been leaking since day one but never left any marks on the ground so it took about a year for me to "smell" it out

For the same reasons I waited until the last year of the warrantee...who knows what else they might screw up. I did a double take when they said a block change could be over 12,000 bucks

Can that be right? I guess I'm gonna have to get the extended warrantee before Ford again changes their minds. Hopefully I'll get her back on Tues. I hate loosing the vehicle this time of year. Out here it's the best time to travel the foothills.
Dave

saline · 02-21-2010, 08:30 AM

Jage,
Good to hear that the dealership seems confident. Make sure they change out your STC fitting on your HPOP in they haven't already.
The dealership here pulled the transmission to fix a rear crankshaft seal on mine.

Stumpalump · 02-21-2010, 08:51 AM

I've used Phil Long In Castle Rock for repair twice when in was in a hurry just moving in to Colorado and once when I was in hurry leaving Colorado. Be carfull because they will try to charge the hell out you if they can get away with it.

jage · 02-21-2010, 10:02 AM

This Phil Long is up on Wadsworth* Blvd in the City... they did prepare me and took a moderately hard line at first, but I do believe they want the warranty work- not to mention Burt closed after getting sued for denial of warranty, which I posted about before.

[*Corrected, see below]