HELP!!!....Cops problem?

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

They hook it up to a diagnostic machine, shows how all the cyclinders are working. I remember when my first one went, they let me out in the repair bay to show me the car was running perfect after the COP replacement....right before our eyes, a second one failed.

If at all possible, have them replace all four on whatever side yours is on....or at the very least, I have them replace the boots and add dielectric grease to the ones they won't replace while the bank is open.

Thanks for the advice........I will push for that.

Seems reasonable to say if the environment under the cover took out one another might follow shortly but who knows if that argument will fly.

The whole extension of the warranty here is a mixed blessing.

I'm grateful for the idea that Ford picks up the cost but less than happy about having to BEG to get the idea across that another will probably follow so while you're in there..................just change do 'em all would ya!!

What you suggest is certainly how I'd do it but.......this won't be my garage.......and it's not my nickle........if it's a single weak COP right now I'm at the mercy of what-ever they decide.

My big fear is dealing with this over and over and over again.

Call me crazy but if they fix this and I see this happen again before the summer is out and I may just suck it up.......buy 'em myself and change 'em all at once here at home......but now I'm getting ahead of myself.

Taking a deep breath, trying to relax and do my best to go into this with a POSITIVE attitude.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

I had a few minor misses for the first time in 7 years. Engine light (not wrench light) started blinking. Took it to Star Ford in Glendale, CA, and they replaced all 8 COPs, no questions asked, under my extended warranty. They evidently didn't replace anything but the coils, as that's all that's on the service ticket. Boots and gaskets must have still been good after 57,000 miles.

I've been looking at ;em on-line for pricing. As I said earlier we own an '02 as well so if it happens there it's my problem.

I'm thinking you may have gotten the boots too........unless they actually told you that they get the coils seperately......

New Motorcraft coils go for about $60/coil and it appears to include the spring and boot.

Found a low ball price on Rockauto.com for $44/coil......no picture though that may actually be just the coil.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Well, today is the day!

It's RAINING..........not that I'm that anal about it but I really do try to limit exposure to the weather. I've come home in the rain a few times but this will be the very first time I've backed out of the garage in the wet weather.

Anyway.....I have a 9:30A appointment to get the coils checked out. Hopefully we are about to get to the bottom of this.

I'm going to ask to talk to the mechanic who'll be working on the car before hand. I'll be pushing for at least a change out of all cops if a weak one or more shows.

I'll post back later as to what sort of reaction that one gets.

What I'm really after this morning is a diagnosis.

Assuming this is actually a COP failure problem.....

If they won't go for the idea of changing 'em all I may just end up buying a full set of coils and doing this myself....... a tow from the middle of no-where and the inconvenience of it all is probably worth the price in itself.

Anyway.....wish me luck......I'm out the door here in a half hour.

[ArgonV]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

If and when you get the spare coils, find BWD ones. They have a lifetime warranty. :)

[redbirdsal]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Good luck Steve!

A lot of us know exactly how you're feeling

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Good luck Steve!

A lot of us know exactly how you're feeling

Thanks!

I'm home now and waiting word.

So far it looks promising. No code showed up but the car was stumbling after if warmed up on the ride over. I left the car running had the service manager grab the tech who'll be working on it so I could take him for a ride. We didn't make it but a few hundred yards out the driveway when with just some light acceleration he says, "yeah, there it is!"

He had a a half hour left in the job he was on before he'll take it in but he says he must do a stress test of each coil that will take approximately 2 hours to complete and then he can show me the read out on paper.

On a side note there was a Red '04 in for service with New Hampshire plates "FUNFNFN" ........makes me wonder if the owner is a member here?

Anyway I pointed the car out to the tech and he said he'd recently changed out all 8 coils in it.........my opening for sure!

"Gee, you won't hear any complaints from me about swapping out all eight!"

He admitted that when the first goes more are soon behind.

My fingers are crossed.

I'm not especially optimistic about getting it fixed today though.

I asked if they have coils in stock and he said he doubted it.

Anyway........I'll be posting more later today.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

If and when you get the spare coils, find BWD ones. They have a lifetime warranty. :)

Thanks.......can you "link me"?

Where did you find 'em?

[ArgonV]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

I got my BWD coils at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[rpatton3]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Should I buy these in advance? The last thing I need is getting stranded since my wheelchair does not fit into the car.
I wrote Rep. Marion Berry (D) Arkansas about the 2002's being excluded from any warranty.. The letter is on another thread.

[MATBird]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Well, today is the day!
It's RAINING..........not that I'm that anal about it but I really do try to limit exposure to the weather. I've come home in the rain a few times but this will be the very first time I've backed out of the garage in the wet weather.
Anyway.....I have a 9:30A appointment to get the coils checked out. Hopefully we are about to get to the bottom of this.
I'm going to ask to talk to the mechanic who'll be working on the car before hand. I'll be pushing for at least a change out of all cops if a weak one or more shows.
I'll post back later as to what sort of reaction that one gets.
What I'm really after this morning is a diagnosis.
Assuming this is actually a COP failure problem.....
If they won't go for the idea of changing 'em all I may just end up buying a full set of coils and doing this myself....... a tow from the middle of no-where and the inconvenience of it all is probably worth the price in itself.
Anyway.....wish me luck......I'm out the door here in a half hour.

Good luck Steve. And, if it's Granite Ford in Rochester that you are going to, they always treated me great, in service.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Good luck Steve. And, if it's Granite Ford in Rochester that you are going to, they always treated me great, in service.

That's exactly where it is.

...and you're right. I haven't dealt with them very often but in the couple of times I've been in things have gone well. No complaints here either.
I also liked the mechanic they put on this for me. He is experienced with the problem already, as it pertains to these cars, so no worries that this is new to them.

Just got the call back. They asked, and I agreed to it, if they could keep it through 'till Tuesday. It's apart and rather than put it back together they said they'd keep it inside for me if they could hang onto it 'till the part comes in.

Turns out #8 is indeed gone.

Good news/bad news......sort of thing.

No water and no oil contamination......that's the good part.

Bad part is in the idea that he can't change anymore than the one bad coil. I think if there'd been any sign of contamination at all I might have been able to make an argument to change out at least all 4 on that side but.....hey, that would also mean I have other problems going on under the cover too......so I'm gonna just take his advice and go with the one coil for now and should the engine start skipping again......we'll bring it back in.

Hopefully they will order in more than just the one coil......it'd be nice to think that if this happens again they will have a few on hand next time.


No way I'd get coils for a shelf in the garage here though.......I was quoted an eye popping $110/coil.

[Lonestar]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7060

MOTORCRAFT Part # DG529 {#2W4Z12029BD, DG509, DG515} $44.79

DG529 superceeds DG515

[redbirdsal]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7060

MOTORCRAFT Part # DG529 {#2W4Z12029BD, DG509, DG515} $44.79

DG529 superceeds DG515

Thanks Bill! Dot and I were just discussing the old vs new part number a day, or two ago.

Do you have the old vs new part #'s for the valve cover gaskets?

[redbirdsal]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

Should I buy these in advance? The last thing I need is getting stranded since my wheelchair does not fit into the car.
I wrote Rep. Marion Berry (D) Arkansas about the 2002's being excluded from any warranty.. The letter is on another thread.

Russell, from what I experienced and read from other members, if you experience a display on the road, just pull over in a safe area and turn off the key. After a few minutes (10?) your Bird should operate well enough to get you wherever you want to go.

CARTOY displayed the E in New Mexico and I continued my out of the way trip home thru Big Bend and Fredricksburg before bringing her on home to Dallas. Yes, she had a miss now, and again, but she made it home just fine. She had three bad COP's and had been exhibiting intermittant systems for at least a year and a half prior to the "E", but had not stored a code.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: HELP!!!....Cops problem?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7060

MOTORCRAFT Part # DG529 {#2W4Z12029BD, DG509, DG515} $44.79

DG529 superceeds DG515

Yeah, I found that one while surfing around too.

CRAZY to think the parts counter at the dealer wants two and a half times that price.

I mean I recognize the need for a little mark-up at retail but that's just ........