#1 Spark Plug Broke I am in hot water now!

[Superspirit]

@Dr. Zaius I think he stated earlier that he had one installed.

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[Muscleford]

Sorry this took so long the issue with my broke Spark Plug is resolved. After it was towed to the Dealer I typed and printed and gave to the Dealer Service writer the exact sequence of what I did over 3 days that lead to the plug breaking off. This included multiple soakings in PB Blaster and waiting hours and even overnight for it to soak in then to heating the engine and trying to loosen the plug both while Hot, Warm and then back to cold.

I stressed the issuing by Ford of the multiple TSB bulletins of the water getting to the plugs and my following the resolution installing the foam engine cover at my expense.

I did have the Extended Warranty I purchased from Ford and the Service writer forwarded all the info as well as pictures they took for warranty approval to replace the Engine Head. Plan “B” if this was not approved was to remove the remaining spark plug threads and repair the head, to me not ideal. This Warranty approval took almost 3 weeks with multiple requests back to the Dealer for information and much hassle to finally get approval for the repair. I really feel the Warranty approval was delayed just to see if I would give up and just pay for it and the Service writer said this is common to have an approval be this much hassle. So after approval the parts were ordered, and I have a new head with new valves etc installed and running A-OK!

Total Cost to me,

Tow = Free with my Auto insurance road hazard coverage

Parts and Labor = $200 Warranty deductible

Rental Car = A few days I paid for and once approval hit the warranty paid for a rental. Kind of a hassle sharing my wife’s car but good.

Part of the repair was replacing the Engine oil and Filter so an oil change is done and they had to drain anti-freeze so new was installed.

Attached if I get this right is the Service procedure and parts list.

A shout out to Mona at Klaben Ford for your hard work. And funny thing I just received a mailer asking if I wanted to Extend my Warranty which expires in 3 months for $130 a month. After this hassle I will decline.

I work with Mona at Klaben for all my service. She is top notch.

 

[Mr.Mel]

So I am into some projects both at work and home and when the dust settles I am going to start testing to see if i can pour water on the windshield and cowel to see if I can get the water intrusion and take steps to avoid it,. I have done the rain gutter divertor with the foam pipe insulation but I wnat to be sure that does the job.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

So I am into some projects both at work and home and when the dust settles I am going to start testing to see if i can pour water on the windshield and cowel to see if I can get the water intrusion and take steps to avoid it,. I have done the rain gutter divertor with the foam pipe insulation but I wnat to be sure that does the job.

My truck sits outside mostly and I had Zero evidence of water.

I put my engine cover on very soon after I got the truck, like within a month.

Did you install your cover soon after getting the truck or did you wait a while before installing it?

 

[airline tech]

So I am into some projects both at work and home and when the dust settles I am going to start testing to see if i can pour water on the windshield and cowel to see if I can get the water intrusion and take steps to avoid it,. I have done the rain gutter divertor with the foam pipe insulation but I wnat to be sure that does the job.

For a true test - park the truck in it’s normal position- example if the truck is regularly parked nose down - this is a huge factor for rain water seeping into the wells

 

[ppfd]

I bought my first ranger at Kalben Ford. 1989 5 speed, manual hubs, think it was a 2.3 engine. No A/C
I grew up in Akron.

What's the process for the foam tube water thing?

 

[JimG_AZ]

Sorry you had trouble doing what should've been an easy routine job. This is another reason I stopped working on my vehicles and just let the shop do it now. I use to really enjoy it but not anymore. It seems that most times when I try to do something that should be easy (and only take a few minutes) usually ends up taking me 3x's longer and my neighbors learn new swear words. Good luck with the dealer!

LOL, been there - done that. This what makes DIY projects so much fun.

 

[Mr.Mel]

I added the engine cover I am guessing in late 2020 after seeing the TSB and I think at the time it was about $75. When my truck is parked outside in the driveway it is nose down but it is mostly parked in the garage but I will get some testing done to see if my adding black caulk to the seam in the cowl and the pipe insulation has done the trick. It will give my neighbros something to talk about when they see me with a watering can pouring water on my windshield..
Yeah PPFD I bought my first Ranger at Klaben as well. Late 1982 long bed, 4 speed and stripped out to the max, If I recall I paid $7,100 Cash out the door.

 

[awd.nv]

Sorry this took so long the issue with my broke Spark Plug is resolved. After it was towed to the Dealer I typed and printed and gave to the Dealer Service writer the exact sequence of what I did over 3 days that lead to the plug breaking off. This included multiple soakings in PB Blaster and waiting hours and even overnight for it to soak in then to heating the engine and trying to loosen the plug both while Hot, Warm and then back to cold.

I stressed the issuing by Ford of the multiple TSB bulletins of the water getting to the plugs and my following the resolution installing the foam engine cover at my expense.

I did have the Extended Warranty I purchased from Ford and the Service writer forwarded all the info as well as pictures they took for warranty approval to replace the Engine Head. Plan “B” if this was not approved was to remove the remaining spark plug threads and repair the head, to me not ideal. This Warranty approval took almost 3 weeks with multiple requests back to the Dealer for information and much hassle to finally get approval for the repair. I really feel the Warranty approval was delayed just to see if I would give up and just pay for it and the Service writer said this is common to have an approval be this much hassle. So after approval the parts were ordered, and I have a new head with new valves etc installed and running A-OK!

Total Cost to me,

Tow = Free with my Auto insurance road hazard coverage

Parts and Labor = $200 Warranty deductible

Rental Car = A few days I paid for and once approval hit the warranty paid for a rental. Kind of a hassle sharing my wife’s car but good.

Part of the repair was replacing the Engine oil and Filter so an oil change is done and they had to drain anti-freeze so new was installed.

Attached if I get this right is the Service procedure and parts list.

A shout out to Mona at Klaben Ford for your hard work. And funny thing I just received a mailer asking if I wanted to Extend my Warranty which expires in 3 months for $130 a month. After this hassle I will decline.

Glad it was taken care of by Ford. I think they were slow due to bureaucracy rather than intent to get you to pay. That and they probably have a massive amount of vehicles in the queue.

When I was at Benz, and it was a clear warranty issue on something expensive and unusual, the paperwork sucked and it was time the tech doesn't get paid for either. Not like you could flag time to deal with warranty approval. First, I would need to share info to foreman, then he would relay to Benz, then Benz might request more info or photos, then back and fourth we would go.

 

[Cabose-1]

On the plus side, new valves on a di engine. Priceless

 

[underwhelmed]

For a true test - park the truck in it’s normal position- example if the truck is regularly parked nose down - this is a huge factor for rain water seeping into the wells

My truck has been parked downhill outside everyday since I bought it. I guess I’ll find out soon about the spark plug issue. Just hit 88k and plan on getting plugs replaced at 100k. Zero issues that indicate I need to replace sooner.

 

[TJC]

I added the engine cover I am guessing in late 2020 after seeing the TSB and I think at the time it was about $75. When my truck is parked outside in the driveway it is nose down but it is mostly parked in the garage but I will get some testing done to see if my adding black caulk to the seam in the cowl and the pipe insulation has done the trick. It will give my neighbros something to talk about when they see me with a watering can pouring water on my windshield..
Yeah PPFD I bought my first Ranger at Klaben as well. Late 1982 long bed, 4 speed and stripped out to the max, If I recall I paid $7,100 Cash out the door.

I used the denser more flexible pipe insulation. Installed with a few dabs of silicone along the top and bottom of the seal. It been in place since almost new (2021). No water issues since. The seam in the cowling center is where mine was dripping. I didn't even attempt to stop the leak, just installed the foam insulation long enough to clear the engine on both sides.

I've gone through several extremely severe rain storms (flooding occurred) with no water getting to the top of the engine. The rain was so heavy that my intake sucked it into the intercooler where it pooled and very nearly stalled the engine when I came to a stop, and then began to accelerate. Engine stumbled badly for 3-4 seconds then cleared its throat. This has happened twice to me, but only in extremely severe rain storms. Again, no water made it way to the top of the engine. I've changed the plugs with no problem.

I used this type from Homedepot It is softer, more pliable.

Not this stuff

 

[awd.nv]

My truck has been parked downhill outside everyday since I bought it. I guess I’ll find out soon about the spark plug issue. Just hit 88k and plan on getting plugs replaced at 100k. Zero issues that indicate I need to replace sooner.

Maybe as a CYA, let the dealer do the set when the time comes.

 

[underwhelmed]

Maybe as a CYA, let the dealer do the set when the time comes.

Definitely going to let the dealer do it. I’m not much of a mechanic.

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