First major issue - engine misfire

[thegadgetfish]

I have a 2022 Outer Banks that I love. I take it in for regular service, and it’s the perfect adventure for me and my 2 dogs.

I drive between Norcal and Socal pretty often, which is around ~330 miles. Anyways it was 100 degrees outside, and suddenly the car starts shaking like crazy and the ac stops working. Check engine light is blinking. Fordpass app is reporting an engine misfire, but I’m literally in the middle of nowhere with 70 miles to go and dogs in the back.. so I roll down the windows and luckily make it home without too much issue. Other than being unable to accelerate up a hill, and watching the speedometer drop to 30mph on a highway with a truck behind me. Sorry!

Dropped off the car at Ford service this am and they said part of a spark plug is missing. I just had the 40k service done (currently at 46k miles), and we’re thinking a technician maybe put something back wrong? There’s damage to the cylinder wall and it’s pretty severe, so they’re going to replace the engine.

The BS is my first American car and unfortunately i’m not impressed. Luckily it’s covered by the 5yr/60k power train warranty. I’ll find out how long parts will take to order tomorrow.

Sponsored

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Was the Tip of the plug that's in the Combustion Chamber the part that was missing?

 

[Bucko]

Not much, but at least its covered under the power train warranty.

Are they helping you out with a loaner vehicle?

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Wonder if it's the cylinder used in cylinder deactivation. I think I read somewhere it's cylinder #1 which I believe is on the passenger side.

 

[Mark S.]

and we’re thinking a technician maybe put something back wrong?

This is quite possible. Errors during maintenance are one of the primary reasons for the old adage: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[Jake25]

They’re going to replace the engine.

sweet

 

[thegadgetfish]

Not much, but at least its covered under the power train warranty.

Are they helping you out with a loaner vehicle?

Yup, they’ll be providing me a rental from Enterprise. I’m a bit surprised it’s not a Ford vehicle.

Still waiting on the service invoice from the other dealership but hoping to get more details today.

 

[jkernitzki]

Yup, they’ll be providing me a rental from Enterprise. I’m a bit surprised it’s not a Ford vehicle.

I think it's cheaper for the dealer that way. They'll have a "bulk" agreement with Enterprise, be able to write that expense off, and not have to end up discounting many of their own cars as service loaners.

 

[thegadgetfish]

Just got an update, my service advisor hasn't seen anything like this before so that's exciting. Basically metal debris got inside the engine, so there's a lot of contamination and multiple parts they need to replace in addition to the engine, such as drains, lines, as well as the turbo charger. With the turbo charger they have to build a new one, so it'll probably take a few weeks. They don't know what caused it and are still investigating.

So i'll be getting a whole bunch of new parts! It'll just take a while. Sounds like some pretty catastrophic damage though.

 

[jkernitzki]

Tell them it's a good opportunity to detail the engine bay.

 

[thegadgetfish]

It’s been a month and a half, but my bronco sport is finally fixed! This is what they found:

Codes P0302 and P0316
Spark plug tip was missing, and they’re guessing it broke off somehow and fell into a cylinder.

“Used borescope and found groves and pits inside the cylinder walls and the valves. Unable to fix. Long block and turbo assembly is recommended.”

I thought it was a turbo failure, but it was a teeny broken spark plug that somehow caused all the damage. I did ask about an extended warranty, and was quoted $3761 for a comprehensive 3yr/36k. I’m still considering trading it in, but I really missed my car!! Felt great to drive it again.

Also if anyone is in Northern California, Frontier Ford service dept is fantastic and i’m very happy.

Sponsored