The Death of My '01 Cobra

[Mk10]

Thursday night: Took g/f to pet store to get dog food. We leave Petco, and walk to car. I start car.

In addition to the wonderful normal sound, there is a new sound in town. "Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack..."

Me: "That doesn't sound right at all."
G/F: "No...no it doesn't."

Went home. Next day, called up dealer. Dealer says to bring in.

As I pull in, a mechanic is walking by, and freezes in his tracks. His gaze rests on my car, and a look of horror is on his face.

My friend Jim who is one of the service managers walks up.

"Jeez Chris, is that sound coming from your car?"

"Why yes Jim, it is."

"That's not good. Go ahead and start it up again."

<Mk10 starts up engine>

"Okay, shut it off."

"Alright Jim, what's up?"

"It's bad."

"Okay Jim, how bad?"

"Real bad."

"Alright Jim, I've been through a lot in my life, and I think I can take it, what's up?"

He said he thought it would mean a new engine. Mentioned a rod and the camshaft. He said that SVT replaces the entire engine in situations like this.

I'm just curious, what are the chances of being able to find a new '01 Cobra engine? I know most secondary sellers are out, and I believe SVT likes to at least micro-manage things like replacing engines in SVT cars.

I didn't know with the detonation issues and pinging and such, just how many '01 engines the Romeo plant has lying around, and I know the new engine has a lot of different stuff in it, in addition to the S/C.

Anybody know what might happen in this situation? Does Romeo have a lot of regular '01 Cobra engines around?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Mk

[rachrse]

Mk10 I read an artical in Mustangs & FastFords that with the new Cobra motor it freedup the old one for use in other cars so I'm sure they can come up with a 01 motor how long will it take who knows Rachrse

[Greg@SVTOA]

Well, this sucks. Major bummer. If it makes you feel any better, my Cobra is a '94, and I USED to have a 302 and a Vortech S-Trim with all the goodies. The first week of the racing season this past April, my engine went KABOOM!!! The entire front half of the motor blew off. Cost me $200.00 just to get home from the strip on a flatbed, and then I had to fix the car myself, since the warranty had long since expired and I seriously doubt that they would have fixed it anyways...

Wanna see how ugly it was?

http://www.svtownersassociation.com/images/KABOOM2.jpg


http://www.cobracentral.net/snapcrank.jpg


There's always a bright side however!!! :D

Running 12.20's with this puppy! No boost or nitrous needed!!

http://www.svtownersassociation.com/images/347-2.jpg

Hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted on your progress..

[Ken 01-Cobra]

OUCH! That hurts to look at! :(

[Mk10]

Well, that's the whole terrible thing about this whole situation.

I wasn't racin', wasn't running her hot or anything, and even the shop manager said it wasn't anything I could have done.

I just don't know if an '01 Cobra engine can be replaced that easy, who'd do it (since SVT techs seem rather particular), or stuff like that.

I've even heard mentions from other 'boards about buy-backs and all that.

I just really want to know what might happen, and what I could be looking at.

Plus, even thought I'm sure they're great cars for other folks, I'm not having fun driving a Loaner-Camry around. :(

[Ken 01-Cobra]

Mk10...you seem to have a good relationship with your service guys, so why not wait to see what they have to say? I wish I could be of more help, but I don't know the answer to your question...just trying to add some moral support! I DO hope it works out for you though...

[Mk10]

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Mk10...you seem to have a good relationship with your service guys, so why not wait to see what they have to say? I wish I could be of more help, but I don't know the answer to your question...just trying to add some moral support! I DO hope it works out for you though...

Roger that old boy, and I am trying to do just that.

It's just that one day you're sitting in your Cobra, all is right with the world, and then all of a sudden you hear a sound, your world changes, and you're not sure for some time just what in the heck is going on.

I'm just trying to see what's going on, and what might be in the future, and just how dang long that might take.

I'm not jumping the gun, or conclusions for that matter. I'm just curious, of course it had to happen on a Friday afternoon, and I'd sure like to know what's going to go on.

Thanks for replying, and any further replies are certainly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Mk

[rachrse]

Mk I talked to a service rep who workes on my Cobra when it has to go in for repairs. He told me they replaced the motor in a 01 about two weeks ago the total time the car was in service was about four weeks so maybe you will have a new engine soon. Hope this makes you feal a little better. sorry to hear about your car. Rachrse

[Mk10]

Hey, thanks for checking for me. I appreciate the help!

[mattkats1]

I see em every so often on Ebay, they usually run anywhere between $2000-4000, even saw one once that was balanced and blueprinted...it didn't reach reserve and the last bid was over $6500. My fingers are crossed for ya buddie. I'd be checking the parts yard just to be safe though. Most of them have a national parts computer and if there's one out there, it should find it.

[Mk10]

Update:

Dealership called Ford. Ford said there are no more '01 engines available, and told them to tear it down, and see exactly what is going on.

Then, once they find out, they are to call Ford again, and await further instructions.

I called SVT and they said if it was a current model year, the engine would be taken out and sent to Romeo.

So, I'm hoping for a call from the dealer to tell me what's going on today, but I doubt if they'll get to it in one.

Well...I'll keep everybody posted.

Thanks again for all the input and ideas.

[Ken 01-Cobra]

Tell em since no '01 engines are available, you will take an '03 engine instead! :bna :D :bna

[Elapidae]

What's the difference between the 01 Cobra engine and the Mach1 engine? :huh:

[mattkats1]

Taken out ad sent to Romeo? BBBBSSSS! I'd be screaming my head off for a 2003 motor then and take my chances with the "weaker" aluminum block...hehe.

The Mach engine is rated at 300HP, that's the wrong direction!

[Mk10]

Prologue:

The Scene is the residential home of Mk10. The phone rings.

Mk10: "Hello."

Ford Dealer: "Hello Mr. Ottinger, this is Debbie. How are you today?"

Mk: "Gosh Debbie, we'll see. What have you got?"

FD: "Mr. Ottinger, how do you drive your car?"

Mk: "Why, what do you mean?"

FD: "Well, we know you take very good care of it, and were just wondering how you've been driving it."

Mk: "Yeah...well I told Jim that lately I've been kind of babying it, trying to keep it around 2000rpm when cruising in town to save a little on gas."

FD: "Well, SVT vehicles are meant to be driven hard. Before Jim tore down the engine, he had the SVT tech start up the engine. The sound was still there.

He then told the tech to take it out, and run it hard. If there was a problem in there, he wanted to take it as far as possible, and be as pronounced as possible.

Our tech took it out, ran it hard, and then brought it back in. The sound is gone. Completely gone.

Mr. Ottinger what we think is that there was a carbon build up on one of the cylinders that was causing the piston to knock. It's running smoothly now with no problems whatsover."

Mk: "You're kidding."

FD: "I know it sounds strange, but we think it was just because you've been kind of babying it lately. SVT engines are made to run hard, and we recommend running these engines more along the lines of 3000rpm around town versus 2000rpm."

Mk: "You're kidding."

FD: <Laughs> "We'd like you to come by and pick it up, drive it around for awhile, and make sure you're comfortable with it. No matter what happens, you're covered by your warranty and your extended warranty, so there's not a problem, but really, we think it's because of the carbon build-up, and recommend you run it a little harder than you have been."




I was amazed. I went in and picked it up, and Jim came over and talked to me. He too told me to stop babying it, and keep the revs up.

It's running smooth as silk. Sounds like a dream and powerful as ever. I thought it was a little weird because when I first heard the noise, it wasn't as if the car didn't drive well, or that there was any kind of vibration, or anything like that.

I think their initial reaction was out of concern, and they defaulted to the worst case scenario. Of course that certainly put me into a tizzy, and had me trying to figure out just what in the hell was going on.

This may be the first case of a car dealership calling a customer, and good-naturedly chastizing them for "babying" their car.

As I talked further with them, they said basically that if people don't turn their heads as you drive by, you're probably running the revs too low. :)

I'll keep everyone posted if anything further happens, but for right now I feel like a schmuck. :) :)

Mk

Post-prologue: If you've got an SVT, don't necessarily take it up to redline each time you shift, but don't try and cruise at 2000rpm for a couple months trying to save gas. You may wind up with carbon build-up, and having to admit to the dealership that you've been driving like a wuss trying to save gas.

[Ken 01-Cobra]

Heh...now THAT is a problem I should NEVER have! ;) :D

I am glad they found something simple and fixed it!

[rachrse]

MK glad to here they could fix the snake so easly. Everwhere I go I try to see how fast I can get there and back so I don't think I should have that problem either. Now all you have to do is drive hell out of your car so they won't think your trying to take care of it . Thanks for the up date Rachrse

[BUG]

Your post gave me a good scare. I went ot to drive it and there was that same kind of clack-clack. Once I read your post I thought of crank and pistons ready to go. Well I went out and drove the hell out of it for a couple of new nitrous solenoid tests. no nitrous used. I haven't even hooked up the bottle yet. When I got back to the garage and did a couple revs it wasn't there. Glad to hear you had some of the same luck.

Chris

[mattkats1]

Beam me up Scotty...:jawdrop:

[Tom01Snake]

I can vouch. ;)


Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Heh...now THAT is a problem I should NEVER have! ;) :D

[GaborVincer]

what a roller-coaster ride

at least you have the beast back:bna :tmb: :bna

Glad every thing worked out:cool:

[NeilBerry]

I have been watching 1999-2001 Cobra motors on Ebay. They are going for about $3300. Having rebuilt a 352 ford engine, I can tell you rebuilding can easily cost more that that. I suggest that 1999-2001 cobra owners buy these now while they can be purchased at these prices.

[kpl]

Don't worry now when you rev it up and you hear the motor pinging, that's normal according to Ford :haha:

[reflexr]

Well just got the Cobra back from Galpin and I have to say all my woes have been addressed. The new engine, which finally checks out as a 2000/ 2001 Cobra, sounds fantastic! The new engine runs great sounds like the original, and so what if it lacks the signature plate, I'm just glad to know the part number matches a Cobra! On top of the 3 year/ 36000 mile warranty! It sucks that I had to take the car there 4 times but the last, oh the last, no one could deny the noises coming from the engine bay. I originally posted the events leading up to this, but, alas, the post was lost, during this latest computer mess up. I have to say I am happy, Galpin finally delivered, but I must say that I had to complain to Ford, SVT, and Paul Trupiano(head of Galpin Service) to finally get things done. Actually it was the engine letting go that got things done. But their awareness of the problem beforehand(4 visits) helped. I am now getting ready to have it dyno tuned, hopefully locally, and start adding power to this sweet sounding peice of al- u- minium.

[NJStangFan]

Don't they offer an '01 engine in the FRPP catalog?

[reflexr]

NJ, yes they do, though it is listed as a 2000 Cobra Engine. Now, though, I have the correct engine, the sound is different, and I had noticed the tinnier sound when they stuffed the other engine in(the one that blew up). Now all sound correctly, as well as even the wife noticing the extra power over the old engine. :fryem:

[BurnsK]

That is really interesting. I wonder if it applies to the S/C engines as well. That sure was the best of all possible outcomes. Good luck.

[NJStangFan]

Good luck with the new motor! Make sure to keep an ear on it so that you don't have to go through the hassle again.

[99cobra lover]

Hey I'm glad you aren't having any serious problems after all cause that would suck. Ive been driving mine kind of wimpy myself cause it gets no gas mileage at all it seems. Maybe I won't be so soft on it as much. I wonder if any of yall have mods done and what is a good place to begin. I know cold air intake- Ive been playing with the idea of an h pipe cause I have flowmasters and Ive been told it won't sound good to add a x pipe. - and a programmer, however I can't quite afford these yet. Any other upgrades you have in mind I won't allitle more power. I had a GT pull on me yesterday (wasn't stock) but still it would have beat me at least for a while I was not happy. Got next to him in 4th and I shifted to 3rd, should have shifted to 2nd Oh well.

Thanks
I'm new bye

[snake]

MK-10. I just purchased an '01 Cobra convertible from the original owner (21k miles), and my forehead broke out into a sweat reading your story. I'm relieved that the outcome was one of those often welcomed "easy fixes". I will certainly keep the revs up and hope for the best. Thanks.

[vger]

I should let my wife read this story. Now she will never have an excuse to yell at me for stepping on it. Well she never did yell at me, she likes to be planted firmly in her seat!!

For a weekend trip my friend needed more room so he traded his HHR for my E150. His HHR gets 22-23 mpg on the highway less in the city. I can't wait to tell him my Cobra gets better gas mileage then his HHR and is way more fun to drive.

[Glitch]

There is/was a NEW 01 motor in thousand oaks, cali for about 5500.00. Haven't been looking lately but I would be glad to help (PM me), I found an 01 w/14k to go in to my '99 after it mysteriously developed a slapping rod when turned in for some polish body work, all is good until I could not get the PCM for the 01 or anyone to flash the '99 to what it needs to be to support the 01 motor. In short, I entered a 25MPH corner at 50MPH, noted loss of HP curve at several power up RPM to stick A$$ end to ground (go, stable, loss stable, loss switching between timing settings and fuel managment from 4800 to 6800), planned exit speed was 62MPH to 65MPH in 2nd. While calculating off camber in-drift exit speed with interrupted power band while '99 PCM is trying to learn motor beyond 'the fix' (was applied to my PCM), decided that my rig is not safe to push. Have been in contact with several ford techs, they all want to sell me a new one (CAR), I DONT LIKE STRAIGHT AXLE REAR ENDS after driving one that will 'HOOK' and with a few mods expend with the wheel hop. Anyone know where I can find someone with a pic programmer with the expertise and files to save the VIN, mileage, key files in a '99 PCM, load 01 factory firmware (Timing/fuel mgmt obviously hexedited to report 01 firmware to support aftermarket programming? I realise this is difficult in Kalifornia, but my rig has NV tags...

Anyone that can point me in the right direction would essentially be a kind hearted soul worthy of beyond a simple thank you, 500 miles north I could get this fixed, I am on an IT project down here in LA, but it is apparent that red tape outweighs safety here...

Glitch