• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

98 cobra rod failure

  • Thread starter Thread starter eezibleed
  • Start date Start date Aug 4, 2006

eezibleed

New Member
Sep 17, 2005
1
0
0
Aug 4, 2006
#1
  • Aug 4, 2006
  • #1
my 1998 cobra shattered number 6 piston and rod.

The car is at Ford. They pulled the oil pan and inspected the damage. They want 8k for a rebuilt motor installed.

The dealer tech said it was caused by lack of oil. There is no evidence of water or coolant in the pan. I assume coolant turns the oil gray (at least that’s what happened 30 years ago with my Boss 302 when a piston when through the cylinder wall.

The oil was changed at the Ford dealer on June 10.

The car was parked for 2 weeks. The car was driven lightly for 2 weeks.

On July 15 the engine blew.

I was accelerating into traffic when the engine blew. During acceleration the engine was sluggish. Next came a boom and a cloud of smoke.

The coolant light has been on and off for some time but every time a checked the level it was OK. I spoke with Jeff at SVT who said that coolant could drip into the oil if a head gasket was blown and that I should check the coolant level with the motor running. The dealer did an inspection at the oil change and stated the coolant level was OK.

The dealer put in 6 quarts of 5w 20.

I am trying to find the root cause and hoping I can tie it to the oil change.

Comments appreciated.

Second question: does the onboard computer store the odometer value?
 
R

RoadconeTuning

New Member
Apr 4, 2006
458
0
0
Upstate, SC
Aug 4, 2006
#2
  • Aug 4, 2006
  • #2
it does store it on 99+
 

stangGT97

New Member
Dec 22, 2004
1,299
1
0
Boston area, MA
Aug 4, 2006
#3
  • Aug 4, 2006
  • #3
Out of curiosity, did you ever verify the oil level in your car? I'm just curious, I don't know how you could tie the engine failure to their oil change unless you had concrete proof they did not fill it properly... it would just be your word against theirs I think
 

DropTopPony

Noob Slayer
Founding Member
Aug 13, 2002
2,570
3
48
south jersey
Aug 4, 2006
#4
  • Aug 4, 2006
  • #4
did you check out the oil pump? The stock oil pump gears are known to break thats why the billit gears are so popular.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Aug 4, 2006
#5
  • Aug 4, 2006
  • #5
8k...?




You might be better off buying a low mile used Cobra engine, or finding the best price on a new one with warrenty if thats what your going for. I think I heard somewhere they go between 4-5k (assuming its not an 03-04 S/C'd engine). Sorry, but 8k just sounds like your getting taken for a ride man. Actually, that just seems plain obsurd. Thats why people call them stealerships.
 
P

Pennywise2

Banned
May 16, 2006
1,379
1
0
Aug 5, 2006
#6
  • Aug 5, 2006
  • #6
BurningRubber said:
8k...?




You might be better off buying a low mile used Cobra engine, or finding the best price on a new one with warrenty if thats what your going for. I think I heard somewhere they go between 4-5k (assuming its not an 03-04 S/C'd engine). Sorry, but 8k just sounds like your getting taken for a ride man. Actually, that just seems plain obsurd. Thats why people call them stealerships.
Click to expand...
Aspecialy when the stealership charges 95-100 per. hour to work
on your car or troubleshoot.
 
J

jwktn

New Member
Sep 16, 2007
0
0
0
Sep 16, 2007
#7
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #7
.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,397
3,543
233
Sep 16, 2007
#8
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #8
DropTopPony said:
did you check out the oil pump? The stock oil pump gears are known to break thats why the billit gears are so popular.
Click to expand...

+1 Almost all Mustang shops sell the upgrade because the stock plastic ones are notorious for breaking. Thats why I always keep an eye on my pressure gauge.

Brothersperformance .com sells Ford Racing 2000 Cobra engines for $6000. It includes: 320 HP 2000 engine, Tremec 5 Speed and crossmember, exaust headers and H-pipe, T-body 62mm, Alternator, power steering, coolant hoses, wire harness, EEC V, anti-theft, new keys, air intake, MAF sensor, Cobra dash instrument pod. IMO killer deal
1-800-486-2681 is their number

Hope it helps
 

DBMSTNG

I fantasize about it being BIG!
Founding Member
Apr 23, 2002
2,120
0
56
not quite here
Sep 16, 2007
#9
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #9
orange92gt said:
+1 Almost all Mustang shops sell the upgrade because the stock plastic ones are notorious for breaking. Thats why I always keep an eye on my pressure gauge.
Click to expand...


unless your oil pressure gage is aftermarket, it's useless. by the time the stock gauge shows loss of pressure, you're already screwed.
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,397
3,543
233
Sep 16, 2007
#10
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #10
DBMSTNG said:
unless your oil pressure gage is aftermarket, it's useless. by the time the stock gauge shows loss of pressure, you're already screwed.
Click to expand...

I know I cant get an accurate reading from the stock gauge as far as exact psi, but I can use it to see if there is enough and it moves just as fast as an aftermarket if the pressure goes away. The sending unit on stock is a good piece, just no markings on the gauge itself.
Hey DB, did you check out the first part of the "Im stupid, and a little mad" thread?
To answer the question of the speeding ticket.
Sorry:OT: , not trying to hijack
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Looking for suggestions and or ideas
  • PonyGTrider
  • Aug 25, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
17
Views
506
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 7, 2026
PonyGTrider
F
Ford 460 swap
  • Ford460
  • Sep 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
308
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 14, 2026
Ford460
F
Engine 87 NA - Tune or no Tune needed?
  • R82148V
  • Sep 17, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
430
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 17, 2025
R82148V
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
1K
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Alternator not charging
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
182
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 19, 2026
SchwarzStock
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?