Engine Replacement Advice

5459 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by ELS, Mar 29, 2021

csanchez40

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2019

Forgive me for the long post, thanks for following along
It's been a rough few days for my 2013 1.6 Escape. While on a family road trip to Maine I noticed a low coolant light. I topped it off and the light came on again not much longer after that. The engine never overheated or even got hot. However, I still called around to every Ford dealer in a 150 mile radius to see if the could get me into their service lineup. I could not get into any service department until 3 days after we were supposed to return from our trip. This forced me to look around for the nearest shop that could take a look at the coolant leak. After looking around, Midas was the only place that could get me in and diagnose the issue. In a pinch, and without alternative, I brought my vehicle in to them. They diagnosed a water pump issue and gave me a quote to replace it. We decided to let them do it and got a loaner car. For the sake of time, it took them 3 days to get everything sorted because they couldn't get the timing right and tried to to tell me I had a turbo issue which was making the car idle rough (it was out of time). They said that it was road safe and that I needed to see ford for specific maintenance on the turbo. So already 3 days behind I had to get in the vehicle and make up some miles. About 200 miles down the road I lost all power and the engine was done. I eventually got towed to a ford dealer and they let me know my engine was blown. Midas owned their mistake and is paying for a used motor replacement with all labor done at a Ford dealer service shop.

My question is, how do I handle the new engine in the vehicle? Can I track down the original VIN for the new engine? Try to see if any open recalls are out on it? I know that coolant and water pump issues are big deal in certain manufacture dates on these engines (my original engine fell in the manufacture window of the engine fire recall, i replaced coolant solenoids, etc.) and I really want to get ahead on any maintenance so I can prevent some future headaches.

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centex

· #2 · Aug 15, 2019

I'd push Midas to fund a Ford remanufactured engine assembly rather than a used engine of unknown provenance.

They'll argue that makes you 'better than whole', you'll argue that you wouldn't have been in this position but for their error and a used engine of unknown provenance leaves you less than whole.

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csanchez40

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 15, 2019

I pushed for a reman. Not much progress on that front. They also provided me with transportation and accommodations home and said the reman was just too much. They also argued the engine was flawed when I brought it in. As it sits, I believe I am getting an engine with 38k to replace mine that had 95k.

I am just worried that I am going to get another 1.6 with coolant issues. I have kept reading through forums here that are not very kind to the 1.6 and its fit on the escape.
I really want that VIN so i can prepare myself or try to sell.

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centex

· #4 · Aug 15, 2019

AFAIK the only way to track an engine to a VIN is if the 'breaker' who pulled the engine maintained that record.

You might ask the involved Ford Dealer if they have a way, through Ford Corporate, to correlate the engine to a VIN (please let us know if they can, that'd be interesting information in general).

Good luck.

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centex

· #5 · Aug 15, 2019 (Edited)

PS - just curious, did Midas 'source' the replacement, or you, or the Ford Dealer? Does it (the used engine) have any sort of meaningful warranty at all?

I understand that Midas seems to be genuinely trying to reach a reasonable accommodation and did what they could to take care of you on your trip - not faulting that at all, kudos in fact. As you seem to recognize things could have been / be a lot worse with a less 'stand up' / proactive company. You're lucky in that regard even though this is a trial for you I'm sure, I hope the luck continues.

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ralph7up

· #6 · Aug 15, 2019

I would defer to Centex but as read recently, I also would inquire as to the exact nature of the reason the engine was "blown". Does this mean that the head gasket leaked coolant into the cylinder or does it mean that their "inabiity to get the engine timed properly was the major cause of failure? If the latter, it would seem to me you have a stronger position. Also, are they talking short block or long block. The 1.6 has some known issues with coolant leaking into the cylinders.

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murcod

· #7 · Aug 16, 2019

csanchez40 said:
My question is, how do I handle the new engine in the vehicle? Can I track down the original VIN for the new engine? Try to see if any open recalls are out on it? I know that coolant and water pump issues are big deal in certain manufacture dates on these engines (my original engine fell in the manufacture window of the engine fire recall, i replaced coolant solenoids, etc.) and I really want to get ahead on any maintenance so I can prevent some future headaches.

Doesn't the recall/ rework on the affected 1.6l EcoBoosts relate to re routing some coolant hoses, fitting a new coolant reservoir (with a level switch?) and reprogramming the PCU/ECU? (ie. all items external to the engine itself.)

A Ford dealer will be fitting the engine so they should know if any parts require replacing. If it was me, I'd get them to fit a new water pump and thermostat before the engine is fitted.

Push to find out what sort of warranty you're going to be getting on the engine. It will most likely be covered by whoever is supplying the used engine.

Hopefully it will all work out in the end.

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csanchez40

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 16, 2019

centex said:
PS - just curious, did Midas 'source' the replacement, or you, or the Ford Dealer? Does it (the used engine) have any sort of meaningful warranty at all?

I understand that Midas seems to be genuinely trying to reach a reasonable accommodation and did what they could to take care of you on your trip - not faulting that at all, kudos in fact. As you seem to recognize things could have been / be a lot worse with a less 'stand up' / proactive company. You're lucky in that regard even though this is a trial for you I'm sure, I hope the luck continues.

Centex, the engine is coming from LKQ with a 6month/6000 mile warranty. Ultimately, it was the best I could do. there was some questions about whether my model had a temp sensor in the head or not and that determined the engine that was to be ordered.

ralph7up, Ford diagnosed the engine failure to be a result of the engine not being in proper time. The 1.6 has 0 tolerance for timing issues and they concluded that this resulted in lost compression is a few cylinders, burned valves, etc.. Basically the Ford techs said the only way they would work on it was to replace the engine with what I'm assuming is a "long block" used engine.

Murcod, your point is exactly why I am trying to get my hands on the VIN of the replacement motor. From what I know LKQ supplies VIN numbers for all/majority of their parts. This way I'll know what recalls are open and whether to try to get a new water pump. I really do not want to have another coolant issue.

Thanks for all of your help!

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Rich gacina

· #9 · Sep 9, 2019

csanchez40 said:
I pushed for a reman. Not much progress on that front. They also provided me with transportation and accommodations home and said the reman was just too much. They also argued the engine was flawed when I brought it in. As it sits, I believe I am getting an engine with 38k to replace mine that had 95k.

I am just worried that I am going to get another 1.6 with coolant issues. I have kept reading through forums here that are not very kind to the 1.6 and its fit on the escape.
I really want that VIN so i can prepare myself or try to sell.

...as you should be worried that it’ll be just another 1.6 with the same coolant issues.

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ELS

· #10 · Mar 29, 2021

csanchez40 said:
Forgive me for the long post, thanks for following along
It's been a rough few days for my 2013 1.6 Escape. While on a family road trip to Maine I noticed a low coolant light. I topped it off and the light came on again not much longer after that. The engine never overheated or even got hot. However, I still called around to every Ford dealer in a 150 mile radius to see if the could get me into their service lineup. I could not get into any service department until 3 days after we were supposed to return from our trip. This forced me to look around for the nearest shop that could take a look at the coolant leak. After looking around, Midas was the only place that could get me in and diagnose the issue. In a pinch, and without alternative, I brought my vehicle in to them. They diagnosed a water pump issue and gave me a quote to replace it. We decided to let them do it and got a loaner car. For the sake of time, it took them 3 days to get everything sorted because they couldn't get the timing right and tried to to tell me I had a turbo issue which was making the car idle rough (it was out of time). They said that it was road safe and that I needed to see ford for specific maintenance on the turbo. So already 3 days behind I had to get in the vehicle and make up some miles. About 200 miles down the road I lost all power and the engine was done. I eventually got towed to a ford dealer and they let me know my engine was blown. Midas owned their mistake and is paying for a used motor replacement with all labor done at a Ford dealer service shop.

My question is, how do I handle the new engine in the vehicle? Can I track down the original VIN for the new engine? Try to see if any open recalls are out on it? I know that coolant and water pump issues are big deal in certain manufacture dates on these engines (my original engine fell in the manufacture window of the engine fire recall, i replaced coolant solenoids, etc.) and I really want to get ahead on any maintenance so I can prevent some future headaches.

I would suggest you save money for a new engine (short block rebuild was just put in mine and cost $5K)... or sell it. It buys you some time for now. I am not a mechanic, just after my experience as I had a used car check on it at my local Ford Service, yep, they said it was running rough (I only drove it 20 miles after purchasing and am used to a Dodge Diesel so thought is was running great ...oops). I have heard people paying more for the rebuild depending on the area. The parts are time consuming to get so have a few weeks or more to wait as this is apparently a very common problem (may even be able to contact Ford Factory on FB Messenger and see about them helping with the cost ??).

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