9000 miles, and intercooler gone....

[chadr812291]

Do you guys think Ford will pick up the tab on fixing the intercooler in my '99 L? Isn't that something that would be covered under the 8 year/80,000 mile emissions warranty? I just wanted to get your opinions, as it seems I will not be able to play this season.
Thanks Much,
Chad

[BlueOvalBolt]

Hi Chad,

IMO the answers to your questions are no and no. The intercooler replacement "program" ended in September of 02 and while the leaking coolant mixture into the motor will eventually lead to deterioration of the o2 sensors and clog the cats, I have never seen anyone successful in using this agruement for intercooler replacement.

If you are leaking and cannot afford or find the intercooler replacement kit, all is not lost. It basically comes down to 2 choices, both of which are not ideal but will at least allow you to use the truck.

The first option is replacing the coolant mixture in the intercooler system with just water. Obviously this is not a year round solution but will work for the Summer months. Water alone from the leaking intercooler blowing though the motor will not hurt it, the o2 sensors or the cats.

The second option is to do what I did before Ford recoginized the problem when the intercooler started to leak on my '99. I ran a half bottle of Bars Leaks radiator sealer through the system and it stopped the leak. I traded the truck in 6 months later and it was still holding. I probably would have never tried this on my own but Johnny Lightning told of doing this on his L before a fix was developed by Ford.

Hope to see you and your L around this year! :shft

[chadr812291]

Hey Chris,
Thanks for your input. I always like to hear what you think/know. I know it was only a matter of time before it happened, I was just hoping not this soon. I've got my dad talking to a few people higher up since he works for Ford. I just heard some good news, and Stumpf's in Appleton will soon be getting all of my business, as they are soon to become a SVT Dealership in the very near future!! She will stay parked for now, and when the time is right, she will be fixed and running wild again!
Thanks for your support,
Chad

[animal]

Check out the classifieds on the svt boards... there's people selling used intake setups from time to time.
'
Otherwise, using regular water could be like a free water injection system ;)

[chadr812291]

I sat down with the General Manager over at Berg. Ford in Neenah last Saturday, and I finally got a straight answer yesterday if they could help me out. They said all I have to pay is $450 for the intercooler recall kit, and they will pick up the rest. Sounds good to me! The kit recently went up in price to about $1200, but thats without any Ford employee discounts. I should have the kit in about a week, and have it installed in the next couple weekends... when time permits.
See you guys & gals at the events!
Chad