Question: My new truck's engine had to be taken out and repaired at only 161 miles. What can I do?

Sept. 11, 2005

Hello Tony

I purchased a New 2005 Ford F150 SuperCrew on 8/26/05. On picking it up from the dealer it had 161 miles on it. One week later it started running quite rough. I took it to the closest Ford dealer to be repaired. It ended up being a broken valve spring and a bent valve.

Their service repair order reads as follows:

I was able to pick up the truck yesterday evening. This morning in the light we found greasy footprints on the passenger side carpeting and fingerprints on the center counsel.

Here I have a 'New' Truck, the engine has been removed, taken apart, and put back in. And what would make a valve bend? I know a piston could do it if the valve set low enough. And what damage might that have caused that hasn't been seen... yet.

What would you do? What might be a reasonable requests to Ford. Would a replacement truck be out of line? I haven't even put in any gas yet!

Do you know of anything like this that has happened in the past and what happened?

Thanks,

Chris W.

Answer:

Hi Chris,

First of all, the fact that the truck had 161 miles on it means that someone was driving it. Either someone at the dealer or the truck was dealer-traded from another dealer and was driven from the trading dealer to the dealer where you bought it.

This would normally not be a problem, however who's to say that whoever drove it didn't abuse it and over rev the motor?

Of course the valve spring could have been defective and broke on it's own then causing the valve to hit the piston and bend. If there was any collateral damage it would be to the piston of the affected cylinder. I assume the mechanic inspected that thoroughly while he had the head off, so we have to assume there was no additional damage.

You do have a 36 month or 36,000 mile warranty. If problems persist you will be covered as long as they are within the warranty period.

As far as the greasy foot prints and finger prints that is a dealer screw up and you should take the truck back and insist that they clean it thoroughly for you. Remind them that you just bought a new truck. While you are there try to track down the mechanic who worked on the truck and ask him what the piston looked like to set your mind at ease.

As far as asking Ford for a new truck they will, on occasion buy vehicles back from their customers to keep them happy. Usually there has to be a record of consistent problems with the vehicle. But if you drive them crazy enough who knows!

Look Chris, no one likes to have their brand new vehicle taken apart and parts replaced. I wouldn't like it either. You can either drive it and try to enjoy it, keeping keenly aware of any problems that may manifest themselves, or you can start bugging Ford - not the dealer - (Ford's contact info should be in your owner's manual) and tell them how unhappy you are.

Especially tell them about the 161 miles that was on the truck and the fact that the broken valve spring and bent valve worry you that someone abused the motor before you took delivery of the vehicle.

At the least, by filing a complaint with them you have it on record in case there are additional problems. Especially after the warranty expires. At the most you may be able to convince them to replace the truck.

Also, make sure you keep copies of all records pertaining to the vehicle repairs and documentation of the miles on the vehicle when you took delivery of it.

All my very best...

Tony Iorio