The Dreaded Water in Spark Plugs (TSB 21-2147)

[Gizmokid2005]

So, it got me finally after 60k, last week I was pulling out of a restaurant and started to feel some hesitation, then a misfire, then the CEL and blinking CEL. Limped home and popped the hood, plug 1 was full of water...

I didn't even pull the others, I knew it was bad enough from this, and knew that TSB 21-2147 existed and despite being just over 60k, I have a top-tier ESP from Ford as well. Had it towed to the dealership on Thursday and he got back to me today, Ford won't cover it under factory warranty, ESP won't cover it, the TSB isn't active anymore - it's apparently been superseded by a new TSB with the exact same language in it.

Total damage?

He's willing to knock off the $205 in labor (which is 1 hour at this place, for the diag), but that still leaves ~$740 for the replacement work (including $250 for the cover itself....)

I'm not sure if furious is angry enough right now.

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EDIT 2023/10/06:

Just talked to the dealership, they have managed to figure out it is covered under warranty. I should have a $50 deductible, but it sounds like it might be waived? Either way, free or $50 is in line with what I was expecting. They're still waiting on the engine cover showing up which is still supposed to be here today.

What a debacle.

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[NotBudule]

The engine cover is not needed to keep the water out , a piece of foam pipe insulation does a much better job ...

 

[Gizmokid2005]

The engine cover is not needed to keep the water out , a piece of foam pipe insulation does a much better job ...

View attachment 197033

Yeah, I'm less concerned with the engine cover, more with the fact they're basically telling me to get bent.

 

[NotBudule]

Dont give up ! speak with the service manager and maybe Ford and about how its a known problem (And shame on you for not checking sooner ! Damn it man , dont you read the threads here ? Have you smelled your oil lately?)

 

[NotBudule]

Will the plugs come out ? Thats where it might get fun ...

 

[Gizmokid2005]

Dont give up ! speak with the service manager and maybe Ford and about how its a known problem (And shame on you for not checking sooner ! Damn it man , dont you read the threads here ? Have you smelled your oil lately?)

Oil is fine, the fuel in oil stuff in here is basically conspiracy level at this point, I've followed the thread since its inception. I also used to live in SoCal where it never rained, I've only been here a year and was actually under the hood this spring without issues. I'm sure they'll come out. I'm going to call Ford Protect tomorrow (since they're already closed) since they should cover this, and go from there. I'm not hoping for much.

 

[airline tech]

For plug 1 to get water, I’m guessing you park with nose down and water travels towards it.
Yes the TSB’s get updated yearly to incorporate the newer model years if the TSB still applies.
Unless you have used a car wash to clean engine bay, then this should be on Fords dime.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

For plug 1 to get water, I’m guessing you park with nose down and water travels towards it.
Yes the TSB’s get updated yearly to incorporate the newer model years if the TSB still applies.
Unless you have used a car wash to clean engine bay, then this should be on Fords dime.

You'd think. The SA is saying Ford isn't covering it. I'm 700 miles past the 5/60k Powertrain warranty and he's saying Ford Protect is saying to pound sand, both regardless of the TSB.

 

[underwhelmed]

You'd think. The SA is saying Ford isn't covering it. I'm 700 miles past the 5/60k Powertrain warranty and he's saying Ford Protect is saying to pound sand, both regardless of the TSB.

Absolute BS from Ford regarding an obvious manufacturing defect. Ford is really pissing me off with these reactions to their poor engineering problems. I hope you can work some kind of satisfaction from these ? ?s…

 

[DubVeeRanger]

I'm not sure if furious is angry enough right now.

Rightfully so. I would be beyond irrate!! I had a f150 years ago that was 3 months old and had 3000 miles on the odometer when the seam in the seat came apart. Warranty was denied at first. After a month of getting jerked around I went ballistic, threatening to drag the service advisor outside (im a big boy which helps with this tactic), i got moved to the service manager. He agreed with me and my truck was fixed under warranty. On the bright side now the service manager really likes me, I always get great service there, and the joker that wouldn't do his job was fired over the whole ordeal.

Hopefully a pleasant phone call to Ford ESP today will net you some satisfaction. If not a respectful conversation with the service manager may work. If not I'd go to another dealer before I forked over money that I shouldn't have too. Hope today is better too you!

 

[Squatchranger]

Oil is fine, the fuel in oil stuff in here is basically conspiracy level at this point, I've followed the thread since its inception. I also used to live in SoCal where it never rained, I've only been here a year and was actually under the hood this spring without issues. I'm sure they'll come out. I'm going to call Ford Protect tomorrow (since they're already closed) since they should cover this, and go from there. I'm not hoping for much.

Yeah that is complete bullshit, you definitely need to talk with ford, I would also insist on getting some facetime with the service manager as well because I don't see any reason it wouldn't be covered. Did they give you a reason? Or did they just say oh they didn't cover it? My first question would be why and how can they justify that? If all else fails threatening legal action could get the wheels turning but it also could get them all to lock up. But if all else fails take the truck elsewhere and try your luck at a different store.

 

[alcohenusa]

Yeah, I'm less concerned with the engine cover, more with the fact they're basically telling me to get bent.

I have attached the latest version of the TSB that I can find (23-2011). Maybe there is a newer version adding the 2023s.

Check the Warranty Status section. It states this is covered under the ESP (old name for Ford Protect warranty).

 

[Gizmokid2005]

I have attached the latest version of the TSB that I can find (23-2011). Maybe there is a newer version adding the 2023s.

Check the Warranty Status section. It states this is covered under the ESP (old name for Ford Protect warranty).

Thanks! That's what I thought too, it states this is covered under ESP and I've got my PremiumCare ESP that I bought specifically for stupid stuff like this.

 

[Jason B]

IMO, if you have and ESP that goes beyond 60k, you should be covered.
That SA may be shady and trying to double dip, get you to pay and then charge Ford ESP.
If it all goes to pot, fix it yourself for under $100 for new plugs and the cowling mod.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

IMO, if you have and ESP that goes beyond 60k, you should be covered.
That SA may be shady and trying to double dip, get you to pay and then charge Ford ESP.
If it all goes to pot, fix it yourself for under $100 for new plugs and the cowling mod.

Yeah, I do, and that's my thought. I'm on the phone with Ford now, seeing what happens.

I'm also on the same page, if I knew this was going to be my problem, this would've been fixed a week ago for pennies on the dollar.

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