1999 Cobra 4.6L engine problems

I have a 1999 Cobra Conv. with 10,500 miles on it. I just recently noticed a knocking noise which sounded like a rod bearing. It is under the Ford ESP Priemiem warranty. I took it into the dealer and they discovered the number 4 cylinder rod bearing was going out. They said that they would put in a Remanufactured engine. My engine Dyno'd out at 292 to the rear wheels. I asked them if they were putting in a signature engine and the dealer did not know so I called SVT and they said that the reman. engines are rebuilt by a third party. I am a little pissed off because I don't feel the car will have the originality that it has now. I bought this car new so I could keep for many years. I don't want to get stuck with someone else's lame engine. I asked to by the core so I could at least maintain the original engine but they want $2200 for the core. I called SVT and they said a new one would be around $4200. I have offered to pay the difference between the reman and new but I am afraid that they are going to jack-up that price as well. Customer service is worthless. I feel like Ford does not care about collectors anymore. I am open to suggestions.
Thanks!!
 
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steve kelekian said:
... I am open to suggestions.
Thanks!!...


I would just be happy with the reman motor if I were in your shoes. You could try to ask the dealership to use the old passenger side valve cover on the motor (or perhaps save the signature placard from the old motor). Just an idea. Lastly, you could opt to foot the bill yourself and have a performance shop do the overhaul on your motor if you insist on keeping things entirely "original."

The bottom line is that these cobras are probably not going to wind up being as collectible as say, a '68 Shelby GT 500 KR or a '00 Cobra R (random examples). I know many of us might be bothered by this situation, but it is a pretty fair process for all parties involved. Using the reman motors means less downtime for the customers' cars and is cheaper from Ford's point of view too (outsourcing the engine remanufacturing, etc).
Besides, if you do plan on keeping the car for many years, it shouldn't really matter if the motor has been replaced because you won't have to worry about potential customers being "turned off" about the reman motor. Know what I mean? :cheers:
 
Well this is amazing that I am replying 2 years later with exactly the same problem. I have only put 3,500 miles on this engine since the dealer replaced it and there is another rod knock. This time the dealer says I am out of luck since my ESP Warranty expired on 7/22/05 and the replacement was only good for 12 months/12,000 miles. I did buy the original engine and plan on tearing into both to find out what happened but I can't believe that I would experience the same problem in two motors. The Dealer, SVT and Ford customer service have just turned their backs on it and will not do anything to help, Pretty disapointing!
 
Same thing happened to an '03 owner. They stuck him with a reman motor so he sold the car and got a new C6. I completely understand where you are coming from on the original engine. Sorry you are havin such bad luck. At least you have the other motor to work with in the mean-time. Get the block worked and slap some forged goodies in there. Go 10+:1 compression if you want the spray and go 8.5:1 for a boost friendly setup.

Wish ya luck!!!
 
No but working for both companies I have seen some bullshyt stunts by ford in denying a warranty on an engine or a car. However I have given engines at our cost while at toyota because it was the right thing to do. Buying a car is not all that keeps a customer. Servicing them while you service the car is what will keep a customer. You get sh1tty service you will lose that customer to some other brand.
 
LaserCobra said:
Lets not go overboard. A couple of bad experiences can't negate thousands of cars that are running great with no issues. Every maker has their issues...
couple?? better open your eyes more. there's hundreds of bearing failures on 96-02 4V engines, and that's just the bear, not to mention the head tick in the 03-04's

sad thing is most of the motors are STOCK and under 100K mileage
 
I found out about the bearing issue last night...I bought a 2001 SVT Cobra convertible on Saturday and it purred like a kitten! Drove it about 250 miles over the weekend, and then to work Monday. On the way home Tuesday night I got on it at a stop light and wound first and second up to around 6000 rpm, not to red line. I noticed the motor bog in fourth and then in fifth right after that. Then at the next stop light I heard the unmistakable sound of a rod knock. Limped it home the last mile and there it sits in my garage. I have had it for three days and now I want to set it on fire!!! It is definitely a rod knock. The piston has a hole in it and is blowing by into the crankcase… Does anyone out there know why I would lose a rod after one burnout??
 
Well, its been a few years since my last post so I thought I would follow-up with my sollution. I kept the original motor and tore into the reman motor. The bearings and oil pump are both to blame. Upgraded to Clevite bearings federal mogul oil pump, Probe pistons at 9.6:1 compression. Eagle H-Beam rods all ARP bolts and studs. And now for the best part, Procharger blower with a boost a pump and diablo chip, had to change out the fuel pump to a lincoln navigator pump more gpm's. 42 lbs injectors. Now she is bullet prof. She puts out 425 hp at the rear wheels and I have put on 30,000 since this build. I also have better numbers at the smog check. Only thing is I have to use Torco in each fill-up because we have such :poo: gas here in Ca.