Ford Ranger Powertrain Problem

[Nereus]

Hopefully it may just be a loose hose clamp, allowing the boost air to escape. Would not be the first time that I have had that happen with weak wristed "technicians"!

[Big Boy]

Well, I'm just back from a very frustrating couple of hours at Ford, but I did manage to keep my cool.

I requested an English speaker, and had the manager. She might be an excellent manager, but knows as much about engines as I do - or was she deliberately playing dumb?

I didn't realise she was the manager for about an hour. The conversation started, "What is the Problem?"

I explained the history, and the fact the Powertrain Light had come on 5 times yesterday on a 154 mile journey, and after the 5th time the engine management light had come on.

"What's a Powertrain?" she asked.

"A word used by Ford in the Ford manual to describe my problem with my Ford car which I left with Ford for 8 days to get fixed," I replied.

"I've never heard of it, could you write it down for me?" as she handed me a pen and paper.

Anyway, she got the mechanics to put the computer on it again, and she kept me updated with their progress. At every interaction, I asked why it had taken 8 days to fit 2 hoses, a relay and 4 plugs? At every interaction, she failed to answer.

Eventually, she came back with the news I had been dreading. I need a new Intercooler Panel (no idea what that is). I've Googled it, and it makes sense:

The function of the intercooler is to cool the air compressed by the turbocharger / supercharger, reducing its temperature and thereby increasing the density of the air supplied to the engine. As the air is compressed by a turbocharger /supercharger it gets very hot. ... A charge-air cooler is NOT required.

I asked when they would do it, and of course, it was covered under the warranty. No, not covered, this is additional to the previous fault, and will cost 5,300 Baht. A long debate then ensued regarding the competence of the Ford mechanics - throughout, she still avoided the question, "Why it had taken 8 days to fit 2 hoses, a relay and 4 plugs." Despite my protests, she basically asked if I wanted it fixed?

I replied, "Yes, that's why I'm here."

She said, "Bring the car in at 08:30 Saturday - it'll take just 3 hours to fix. You'll be able to pick it up at 16:30 Saturday afternoon,"

I asked why it couldn't be done before Saturday?

She explained she couldn't get the new part until Wednesday, and Saturday was the first available slot.

At that moment, a timely notice popped up on the ad board directly in front of me, stating, "If we cant deliver your parts within 24 hours, they will be provided free."

It seems that applies only to parts that are available within 24 hours. My patience was wearing thin, but I was determined not to lose it. A long debate then ensued about the integrity of Ford's promises, and what they meant. I brought up my previous Ford promise experience, where it took 2 years to get a replacement turbo under guarantee. Of course, my Intercooler Panel is totally different to everything else.

In the end, I decided resistance is futile, and I'd see them on Saturday.

Oh, and just to finish, I had told Mrs BB to keep her mouth shut throughout (she did nip out for her breakfast though ). Eventually, I asked Mrs BB to ask the question in Thai, "Why it had taken 8 days to fit 2 hoses, a relay and 4 plugs." The eventual answer was she had been on holiday, so doesn't know.

[Nereus]

I need a new Intercooler Panel...……..

Sorry, my comment is BOVINE ORDURE! As it has not been fixed, go and talk to K. Pichai at "L Garage" opposite the Palace. He speaks good English, no BS! Be aware that the intercooler has engine coolant flowing through it, which will be lost when and IF they replace the cooler. It functions similar to a radiator. Does not add up to me!

[Nereus]

Hmm, a quick look around the Internet brings up several reports of intercooler failures. Most of them just out of warranty period! I would still get a second opinion.

[Nereus]

Hmm, a quick look around the Internet brings up several reports of intercooler failures. Most of them just out of warranty period! I would still get a second opinion.

And a further look seems to show that these things are just air to air type mounted in front of the radiator. Appears to have plastic ends along with light weight material, as there are numeraous after market ones advertised. POS!

[Big Boy]

go and talk to K. Pichai at "L Garage" opposite the Palace.

As always Ford have taken a 50% deposit, so I'll let them do their worst. However, when it happens again, I will give him a go - thank you.

[Nereus]

As always Ford have taken a 50% deposit,

You jest, surely? What a load of BS! It is a bloody insult as well! When you go and order your dinner at a restaurant do you also pay a 50% "deposit"? If they were some small single workshop, yes I would consider paying a deposit if the guy had to buy in expensive parts, but as I understand it you are using a Ford dealer.

I just ordered some special electrical cable from a small supplier in Pattaya. It is just on 500 Baht / per metre and I only need 20 metres. He has to buy in a 100 metre roll as that is how the factory sell it. But I need 10m of red and 10m of black, so he has to buy in 2 x 100 metre rolls. It is called business! He will get paid when and if he delivers it!

[Dannie Boy]

I have to agree, how can a big organization like Ford have the temerity to ask for a deposit for a car repair that basically looks like it’s down to their poor design - I’m amazed that you passed over the money BB?

[hin]

An old cliché

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily

[hin]

The fact is, they do not seem to consider their cars to have enuf value that the car itself can be considered as a deposit.

Also, in most cases a dealer is the wrong place for servicing after the warranty has expired, unless you have deep pockets and are unconcerned about your cash. Especially the Hua Hin Ford dealer. When we came here we had an Everest and learned that on first visit.

[NOKYAI]

I still have my B100 on a cheap power train sensor!

We should run a sweepstake to help fund the repair! I bet it will still be running ( the sweepstake not the car) at Christmas

[Big Boy]

Christmas? After the previous turbo problems, that is very optimistic, but I note you don't mention the year.

[VincentD]

Jumps in..
After reading all that has transpired, I find it odd that they would want to change the intercooler (engine/turbo related) for a drivetrain (totally different area) problem?
Diesel turbos are typically smaller than their petrol cousins, mainly to get spooled up at a very low rpm. Thus they are working most of the time you are driving and would warrant reasonable wear and tear over the years. However, it is not difficult and fairly cheap to get these overhauled.
Changing the intercooler would only affect engine performance, and if the intercooler has sprung a leak, you will hear it as you accelerate, with some loss in power.

What sort of transmission do you have? Manuals seldom give problems but if an auto the radiator in some cars is combined with the oil cooler in one unit. A leak could result in the gearbox overheating, and thus triggering the 'transmission fault' light; worst case with cross-contamination you could also compromise the engine cooling system.

Perhaps she meant radiator and not intercooler?

[Nereus]

It appears that these intercoolers have cheap plastic end chambers on them that are prone to blowing out. Land Rover were using the same type with the same problem. The same with the interconnect hoses, they are cheap low quality rubber. Both of these components have a big after market improved quality supply availability, which says it all.

They are an air to air cooler mounted in front of the radiator, as I understand, as they are similar to the Land Rover one, which was first introduced during Ford ownership.

As I understand it, the fault indicator just shows "power train" as a type of group alarm. The turbo is not the problem, but it will be if it continues to get crap in it from delaminating hoses!

[Big Boy]

if the intercooler has sprung a leak, you will hear it as you accelerate, with some loss in power.

Please remember, I am a complete mechanical ignoramus.

Saying you will hear it, makes my ears prick up. Could this be the whooshing I've been reporting? The same whooshing they replaced the original turbo for?