Even Expensive Cars Can Have Dumb Problems

[rbattelle]

So I thought the 6. 0 guys had it bad. Imagine buying a nice new $150000 Ford GT with a poorly machined crankshaft that causes a rear main seal leak? Think it doesn't happen? How about every Ford GT out there (problem's been fixed on those currently in production).



So what's Ford's fix for the problem? They're installing Speedi-Sleeves. Ah yes, I remember using a Speedi-Sleeve to fix the rear main seal on my 1985 Bronco II 2. 8L V6. Just the kind of thing I want on my new GT.



Or how about Ferrari and Maserati recalling 605 vehicles because they have dummy passenger airbag shutoff switches? That's right, the switches were deliberatly installed but never connected to anything. They even have a little LED that lights up, but it just means you've pressed the button. Brilliant.



My point is, people complain about problems when they pay $45k for a new vehicle. It could be much worse.



I got these stories from the 28 February issue of Automotive News. Thought they were funny, especially the one about Ford. I heard a rumor that Ford wanted to get into making televisions a few years back, but they abandoned the project when they couldn't make one that leaked oil. :-laf



-Ryan

 

[Rescue Ram]

I got these stories from the 28 February issue of Automotive News. Thought they were funny, especially the one about Ford. I heard a rumor that Ford wanted to get into making televisions a few years back, but they abandoned the project when they couldn't make one that leaked oil. :-laf



-Ryan

:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Royk]

I heard a rumor that Ford wanted to get into making televisions a few years back, but they abandoned the project when they couldn't make one that leaked oil.

Actually Ford really was into TV production for a while. I know because I owned a Philco Ford B&W 13" TV. It didn't last long though; all the capacitors leaked! (a little Electronics humor there) :-laf



Roy

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Actually Ford really was into TV production for a while. I know because I owned a Philco Ford B&W 13" TV. It didn't last long though; all the capacitors leaked! (a little Electronics humor there) :-laf



Roy

And I suppose those leaking caps fried your butt every time you went to change the channel or turn it on/off? #@$%! #@$%!



:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Forrest Nearing]

none of my Fords have ever leaked oil... but they sure like to consume a fair amount! low tension rings = "Ford perpetual oil change" :-laf



but it's also why the cylinder walls look great at 150k miles.



Forrest <-- only reason I drive a dodge is because the put a Cummins in one

 

[michigandon]

none of my Fords have ever leaked oil... but they sure like to consume a fair amount! low tension rings = "Ford perpetual oil change" :-laf

My first car was a 1979 Mercury Bobcat (glorified Ford Pinto) that I more or less had a "shotgun wedding" with. 2. 3 auto of course. Damn thing leaked three quarts of oil per day on the ground and sent two more out the exhaust pipe. Forced me to walk home more times than I can count on all fingers and toes. No sense in even trying to start it whenever the temperature fell below 30 degrees. Cracked two pistons, threw the timing belt on a triweekly basis, and the transmission also leaked like a sieve. The last straw came when I drove it to the store one day and it began to lose what little power it did have on the two miles coming back home and barely made it into the driveway under its own power. Popped the radiator cap off: DRY. Tried pouring more water in it and it ran back out the exhaust pipe! #@$%!



I cannot describe how overjoyed I was to see that Pinto get blown to smithereens on "BOOM!" last saturday night. At least those cars are good for SOMETHING.

 

[rkressg]

My Jaguar (99 xjr) has been a great car except for one thing, the stupid stoplight switch (been there, replaced that) that never works until the car seems to warm up (don't ask why). The only problem is, when you park a car for a while, it seems to (get this) cool off. Unfortunately when this car is cold, the stop light switch does not like to work. The computer will only allow you to shift out of park when it registers your foot is on the brake and with a malfunctioning stop light switch, it will not register pressing on the brake.



This can be fixed with a screwdriver, but is still a known problem with this model of car. Great QC for an 80k+ car. Although FORD is the best thing to happen to Jag when it comes to reliability, but their tastes for styling sucks.

 

[LightmanE300]

Ryan - the problem is that someone spent $150k on a ford, not the crankshaft

 

[Forrest Nearing]

funny you mention pintos... I bought one a few years ago... pretty well maintained little car. 2. 3/4sp. drove the snot out of it for a year or so, sold it to a buddy, and it's still running strong. slower than x-mas, but a fun little car, no leaks, no problems, no nada.



the 2. 3 is a strong little engine... gutless without a turbo hanging off of it, but the stock block/crank/rods will stand up to 400hp no problem. the block and crank have gone over 750hp.



there are guys who get brand new CTD's that are bought back under lemon laws too.



Forrest

 

[supersonic]

I love the 2300 Turbo motors. I'm in the middle of helping a friend put one in a 87 Ranger. Back halved, tubbed, short bed, standard cab (duh, 87). I got a feelin' it'll be a nice little head jerker when it's done.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I had a pretty decent EFI 2. 3t in an 81 Fairmont wagon back in the day



Forrest

 

[Joe G.]

I had quite a few Fords starting with a very nice '47 convertable. Then I realized that every one had made me walk.