Chubstang

Ok, so ever since I bought the car last april it's had a pretty noticeable tick at idle that increases with RPMs'. I'm a tech so I know my way around cars a bit. At first I thought it was a loud injector but after doing a little diagnosing that's not it. The tick is coming from the drivers side of the motor. You can hear the tick inside and out and can barely be heard with the hood open. It also gets louder when you put your head next to the wheel well. It is really annoying, I can hear it anytime I have the windows down and it just doesn't sound healthy. So I found a TSB that matches my problem perfectly.

03-25-6
ENGINE - ROMEO BUILT 4.6L 2V - TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE - ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 9/17/2003 23 September 03
Robert Lane

Ford Motor Company told dealers that 4.6L 2V engines built prior to 29 September 03 and installed in 2001 through 2004 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles may have defective cylinder heads.

The engines were installed in:

• 2001 - 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars
• 2002 - 2004 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
• 2001 - 2004 Ford Mustang GT
• 2001 - 2004 Ford E-Series Vans
• 2001 - 2004 Expedition
• 2001 - 2004 F150s

According to Ford, the 4.6L engines "may exhibit an engine tick noise that is present at all temperatures during idle. The noise may be emanating from the valve guide area in the cylinder head. The noise may be more prevalent in the front wheel area, any may not be heard with the hood open."
Unfortunately, Ford may not notify owners of this action and will only perform the service to those who know what to ask for in order to get their vehicle fixed. It's part of Ford's secret warranty program - a.k.a, "If you don't ask, we won't tell."

I still have the warranty up to 54k miles and April 2009. My question is has anyone had this TSB performed and how exactly should I go about this? I can see myself going into the dealer and getting jerked around, they'll look at it and tell me it's fine and not to worry about it or some crap like that. How do I prove that the TSB needs to performed? Any suggestions?
Thanks

GodAmGT00

Make sure to bring a copy of the TSB with the # on it, and if they deny it, get a second opinion... That's about all you can do.. I mean, if you really want to be a jerk, you could make a scene, but that usually doesn't get much done...



JT

Chubstang

Bump it

900RR Puzzle

Back in 2003, when my GT was still under warranty (it's a 2002), I took it in for the rear end making noise. I also asked them to check out the ticking noise I could hear from the drivers side of the motor.

They called me a few hours later and said that they wouldneed to keepmy car for 2-days, so they could replace the head on the driver side. I was shocked and asked them what the problem was. The service Dude said that they had no idea why it was ticking and that there was a service bulletin that said to replace the drivers side head if this ticking noise was present. I just said, OK. Hasn't made the noise since, and that was 80,000 miles ago.

Oh, they also replaced the ring and pinoin gears as well as all of the bearings in the rear end.

All I did was ask them to check it out, under warranty.

Chubstang

Sweet man, it's going in on monday to be checked out, I just hope I don't get screwed because I have the extended warranty. I said to the guy "so this is all going to be covered under the extended warranty right?" He asked what year and I told him 2002, he kinda looks at me funny "that still has a warranty?"
But anyways, with my luck it won't be covered somehow.