Manafold Bolts

[Don Hay]

Well I took the trac to my local mechanic & he told me the # 5 cylinder bolts on the passenger side were both broke. He told me he would have to pull the engine to get at the bolts & it might cost between $1500.00 - $2000.00 bucks. I felt sick to my stomach. I then took it back to the dealer & it is still under warrenty. Stupid me I guess, for not going to the dealer first but feel a bit better now. It goes in under the wrench next Tuesday. Dealer said to plan on 2 days without the truck. Now I hope it all goes well after reading some of the other posts on the site. I'll post back next week. Thanks for the link last week on the subject.nline:

 

[MikeSondra Grossen]

It will...until the drivers side starts. hopefully warranty will cover that also. We went 3 days for ours..lost 1 day waiting for parts. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Good time to replace the timing chain while it is out,,,,

 

[Frank Zabski]

Don:



How many miles did you have on your truck? What year? I have the same problem and have to take it to the dealer as well.

 

[Richard L]

Don,

It's not uncommon for exhaust manifold bolts to break when attempting to remove/reinstall them, but rare to break just from running the engine? They rust, high heat and the continuous heating and cooling cycles makes them brittle. If they were installed without using anti-seize, they will break fairly easily...as it appears that you found out.:cry:



I guess that would be one of the bad points of having a V8 in a Sport Trac. I think it is bad engineering when they design something that requires complete engine removal just to replace a minor external part. However, I suspect that the bolts could normally be removed or replaced with the engine installed, but they need to remove the engine for clearance to drill out and remove the old broken bolts.



...Rich

 

[Don Hay]

Frank,

There is 52,897 on the 2007 4.6 V8 Trac as of today. The warrenty is up to 60,000 miles or 5 years.

I guess I'm lucky to have this done before the warrenty is over, but I still wonder if any more studs will fail in the future.

Everyone says I drive the truck like an old man. It gets washed & dried most every week by hand,but I do tow multiple trailers often with it so maybe it get used a bit harder than most. Neigbors say I'll wash the paint right off of it. HA!

Hey, who dosen't want to have a nice looking vehicle. Wife says I go a bit over the top when I Armor All the engine & hoses.:supercool:

 

[Frank Zabski]

Thanks for the response Don. I should be good with the warranty as I have 56k and its an 07...so that should cover the 5 yr. or 60k either way. I am stressing about bringing it to the dealer. I've just had so many bad experiences with the local dealer...I have to bring it somewhere....



Nothing wrong with cleaning the truck, it's like medicine. I used to be that way as well but work, kids, hobby's, etc. have got in the way...

 

[Wayne Partridge]

Don did the dealership have to remove the engine ? If so might want to replace all manifold bolts and spark plugs . Good luck.