On the way to work this morning, I was in real heavy traffic, stop and go for about 40minutes in first and second gear. All of a sudden I see small puffs of smoke and a hot smell coming from the vents on my hood. Have any of you guys had this issue in their 03/04 cobra's. Mine only has 4500 miles on it. Is it normal for it to over heat like that? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Peace!
03 Cobra Smoking during heavy traffic
- Thread starter redfire03 cobra
- Start date
-
Sponsors (?)
1fast94svt
New Member
you may have that drivers side head problem. I think there was a recall on that. Check your oil cap for a beig color goo on the bottom. Also check your oil-is it the right color???
I do have the drivers side head problem I believe. You can hear this ticking at idle. The tick sort of increases with rpms and goes away. I did not know this would cause that smoking problem though. I already took it to the dealer for that "tick", and they said it sounded normal. Also, I use Royal purple Synthetic oil, so my oil should be good should'nt it? I changed to Royal purple at 3000 miles, and I am at 4500 miles now. I raised the hood when I got to work, and the smell was coming from the radiator, I think. How could the drivers side head casue that slight smoke, burning smell? Peace!
1fast94svt
New Member
well the head might be leaking and causing the motor to overheat. This would make your radiator go overtime and work hard. If you are losing coolant (check the level before you leave work and when you get home) than you have a blown HG and the smoke is due to coolant mixing with oil. Your head is causing this weather its blown or not, something is wrong with your car. Take it to the dealership if you notice the coolant level changing or if you find any of that mocha colored stuff on teh oil cap or in your radiator.
simpman76
Founding Member
I just bought a new 03. I hear no tick but sometimes I smell a smell like plastic burning? Any ideas what that is?
1fast94svt
New Member
check your plug wires, they might be rubbing against the headers cuasing them to melt, and smell....terrible. Also check other lines if thats not it, good chance its some sort of line or wire getting the coating burnt up a little. You guys are killing me with these 03's. I am going to get one soon here and i dont like hearing all these problems.
simpman76
Founding Member
Mine so far is awesome. No problems what so ever so far. It runs like a champ, I've just noticed that plastice burning smell which is probably what you've said. No tick, no vibe, no pull.
COBRA90GT
Mod Dude
1fast94svt said:
There are no spark plug wires per se on the 99+ COP (Coil On Plug) ignition system.
I just took mine to the dealership, and there was this grey residue all over my pulley cover and all over the fan too. They have my car now, so I will just have to wait and see. The residue was hard and grey, I guess it had time to dry. What is this mocha residue you are talking about. The dealer also said that Ford said that this ticking issue does not have any adverse effects on the engine so they have stopped fixing this "ticking". The radiator smelt exactly what the smell was like on the inside of the car when it started smoking. I will keep you informed.
Tat98Cobra
Founding Member
- Nov 2, 2002
- 681
- 0
- 0
simpman76 said:
I get that smell all the time when shes real hot - I think its just the heat of the engine, probably baking that hood blanket..
peace
98_c0bra
New Member
I think you can goto alldata.com and see recalls and TSB's if you wanna check that head thing out
98_c0bra said:
Here is the "head thing" data.... has absolutely nothing to do with over heating though...
U.M.
Article No.
03-11-4 ENGINE - MUSTANG COBRA - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - COBRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 11/1/2002 ONLY
Publication Date: May 23, 2003
FORD: 2003 MUSTANG
ISSUE:
Some 2003 Mustang Cobra vehicles with engines built before 11/1/2002 may exhibit an unusual engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. This noise may be due to valve guide wear in the left bank cylinder head. Guide wear manifests itself as a tick noise which can be heard at the rear of LH head, through LH catalyst, at the LH front wheel well and may not be heard with the hood open.
ACTION:
Use the diagnostic procedures listed in this article to evaluate the vehicle condition and replace the cylinder head if applicable. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THIS REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT IMPROVE OR REDUCE PERFORMANCE.
In order to diagnose noise, the following items must be checked.
Verify noise by placing a stethoscope on the back of the left head near the exhaust ports.
Verify that the noise is heard in the left side exhaust system (left side wheel well or catalytic converter, from underneath the vehicle).
Try to isolate the noise by canceling the cylinders, by unplugging the injectors one at a time (start with #8 cylinder).
Verify that there are no exhaust manifold leaks.
Check to make sure that the camshaft spacers are in place. If not, install cam spacers (per Workshop Manual Section 303-01C) and retest vehicle.
Check for proper cam sprocket bolt torque, retorque to spec listed in the Workshop Manual Section 303-01C.
Check for spongy lash adjusters (refer to Section 303-00 in the corresponding Workshop Manual).
Verify that the timing chain tensioner pin has been removed.
If the above diagnostics does not eliminate the noise while the cylinders are cancelled, and the engine was built prior to 11/1/2002, replace the left side cylinder head and cam assembly with Part Number 3R2Z-6049-GA. Refer to Workshop Manual Section 303-01C for cylinder head replacement procedures.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
3R2Z-6049-GA Cylinder Head And Cam Assembly - Left - Cobra Only
). I was thinking it could be the supercharger belt. This Normal?
simpman76
Founding Member
Well, As I was walking back to the Cobra today after visiting the store I noticed something sticking out underneath. Turns out I had pieces of plastic trash bags stuck in my cats on my xpipe. I think that could have been the burning plastic smell. I will keep a nose out to see if it still does it now that I got the trash bag out of there.
simpman76
Founding Member
Dr.Bleed said:That's probably it. The minute anything plastic touches those cats it almost literally evaporates. Bet you were breathing a sigh of releif eh?
You better believe it
Similar threads
