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dead cyl?

  • Thread starter Thread starter oxfordgt
  • Start date Start date Jul 6, 2006

oxfordgt

Member
Apr 30, 2006
288
2
18
Clarksville, TN
Jul 6, 2006
#1
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #1
ford just said i have a dead cyl and need a new engine. I knew that oil was all over the plug and causing it to miss thats why its there. I think it is getting oil on it because of a bad valve seal. Ford said I need a new engine but this dealership is very shady and has really ******* me over the whole time my car has been there. Can you guys answer these questions for me please?

What is the defination of a dead cyl?

what are the symptoms of a dead cyl?

Is there a fix to a dead cyl?
 
T

Torinalth

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
952
0
16
Clayton NC
Jul 6, 2006
#2
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #2
to my knowledge the only way to have a dead cylinder is if the cylinder its self its damaged... crack in the cylinder wall, blown rings... something of that nature. anything else would warrent head work, which would be cheaper... but not by much.

SVT would be the best one to ask, since he would be able to actually tell you the Ford answer.

Torinalth
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
939
0
36
Winston Salem, NC
Jul 6, 2006
#3
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #3
A dead cylinder just means you aren't getting any power out of that one cylinder. It can be caused by a lot of things. Broken ring, stuck valve, fouled plug, stuck injector, etc. The first thing I'd do if I were you is hook a vacuum guage up to it. Here are some instructions on how to use it. http://www.fordf150.net/howto/diagnoseengine.php Then I'd do a compression check on it.
 

hognutz

New Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,940
0
0
albany, oregon
Jul 6, 2006
#4
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #4
buy a $30 compression tester and verify it yourslef or make them show you with thiers. If you have compression they are full of sh&t. as long as you have compression then it is usually ignition related.

there are many causes of a dead cylinder though.

1. borken rings
2. burnt valves
3. head gasket? (usualy has other sings as well water in the oil, white smoke, etc)

short story long there is no compression so you get no combustion.

I can honestly say though without a teardown you don't always know you have a "bad engine". if there is constat blue smoke one could assume it is ring related I assume.

if it is ring related though you are usually screwed as it will score the cyliner wall.
 

oxfordgt

Member
Apr 30, 2006
288
2
18
Clarksville, TN
Jul 6, 2006
#5
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #5
ok there was no loss in power other then when the plug gets fouled. But when i took it out and cleaned it and put it back in there was no power loss. the reason i took it there is because of the oil consumption and a tick that i can hear mostly in the front cover and cyl 8 is in the back. i think the techs just looked at it and didnt investigate. Oh and they are blaming this on my headers and intake inorder to void my warrenty.
 
T

Torinalth

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
952
0
16
Clayton NC
Jul 6, 2006
#6
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #6
of course they are. but from what you are saying my money would be something with the heads... either head gasket, or the valvetrain... cant really say which... or possibly a ring....... compression test would be the fastest way to check into it like said above.

Torinalth
 

hognutz

New Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,940
0
0
albany, oregon
Jul 6, 2006
#7
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #7
yeah once you mod they will most likely void the waranty even though it is bull****.

the fact that the plug is fouling means there is a power loss of some kind though.

compression testers are cheap and it takes like 10-20 min tops to do so I would just do it. if it comes up low you will then have to decide how you want to proceed.

i would just pull that head myself and inspect what is going on. it will be evident really quick most likely. once compression is gone the proably is usually very obvious.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Jul 6, 2006
#8
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #8
How much did Ford want for a new engine..? 4-5k?

I definatly wouldnt agree to that before you find out exactly whats what. Did you by chance use Mac longtubes? Theres been some issues with them causing internal engine problems and alot of oil consumption.

Like everyone else said, do a compression test on it first... and if you let Ford do it, make sure you watch them.
 

oxfordgt

Member
Apr 30, 2006
288
2
18
Clarksville, TN
Jul 6, 2006
#9
  • Jul 6, 2006
  • #9
Yeah i have mac LT's but i deleated the EGR to avoid slag getting back up int the engine. And it burned through 4 qts in about 4 days.
 
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