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BlueOvalNews.com |
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Is there anything wrong with Ford's Cobra Mustang? |
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BlueOvalNews has been receiving reports from 1999 Cobra owners for several months now regarding the performance of their vehicle.
Many ALL Mustang web sites such as SN-95.com , The Corral, MustangWorld and Stangnet have their message boards buzzing with upset Cobra owners as well.
If you own a 1999 Mustang Cobra, then you can have possibly one or both of two reported problems that seem to be affecting the many vehicle's performance.
The first problem is a reported vibration between 68-78 miles per hour. The second reported problem is a lack of engine performance.
If you own a 1999 Cobra and experience either one or both of these problems then you might have already called Ford SVT to find out just what's going on? And if you did call Ford SVT they probably read some type of response to you from a prepared statement. Some people find SVT's "form letter" response hardly comforting considering the type of vehicle they purchased. . . .not to mention the amount of $$ they paid. But in all fairness, SVT and Ford are handling the situation in a very professional manner by working with engineers to SOLVE the problem correctly.
But that's probably why BlueOvalNews has been receiving a lot of mail from concerned 1999 Cobra owners. You want some basic questions answered - .
BlueOvalNews put the word on the street here in Dearborn that we needed information to find out what's going on with the 1999 Cobras. . . .and we received word from a secured source at Ford Motor Company on what Ford has found out and what they are doing to solve the problem.
We compiled the below information from what we allege to be from either SVT or Ford internal documents.
VIBRATION: BlueOvalNews has learned that SVT is aware of a vibration occurring at 65-78 miles per hour. Ford/SVT has determined that the cause of the vibration is a possible drive line imbalance. Ford/SVT might be in the process of issuing several technical bulletins asking Cobra owners to check the following: STEP ONE (1) 1) Are the tires mounted and balanced properly? 2) Is there any undercoating on the driveshaft? 3) Has the driveshaft been replaced by an aftermarket one? 4) Has the vehicle been lowered or is there a bushing failure? If none of these problems are the cause, then SVT will be offering another possible solution. STEP TWO (2) 1) Check the vehicle's driveshaft to verify that there are yellow paint indexing dots. One yellow dot should be on the left side of the driveshaft and another yellow dot on the high side of the companion flange. 2) The next step is to measure the companion flange's runout. The specification is .008" maximum runout. Use a dial indicator to do this procedure. If the above two steps do not solve the vehicle's vibration, these are the additional solutions that SVT will be recommending: STEP (3) 1) Have the driveshaft offset serviced. 2) Obtain a matched driveshaft and axle set. 3) Obtain a new vibration dampner. 4) Have the driveshaft indexed to the transmission. SVT might also issue a bulletin to Cobra owners reminding them of the following: * Engine performance characteristics are different from previous models and that the suspension is different than other models due to rear IRS versus a live axle. BlueOvalNews has no information on how Ford/SVT will handle the warranty aspect of the drive line problem; however, it is suggested that owners who have a problem(s) with their 1999 Cobra take it to a local Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership to document your concerns. Remember to keep copies of all documentation for future reference. You can also print this article and take it to your dealership for additional reference if needed. <continued upper right> COPYRIGHT 1999 WARNER PUBLICATIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BlueOvalNews.com |
ENGINE PERFORMANCE The second concern with the 1999 Cobra Mustang is the engine's performance. We've received e-mail from Cobra owners who are alleging that they have dyno tested their engines and that they are not receiving the 320 horsepower that Ford advertises.
BlueOvalNews has also received several documents covering the possible causes in relation to the alleged 1999 Cobra's performance problem.
Based on internal Ford SVT memos obtained by BlueOvalNews, SVT is listing two possible causes. 1) Intake manifold and 2) Exhaust system components. Based on internal Ford memos, BlueOvalNews has reason to believe that a third reason also exists 3) Engine compression.
Cobra owners really started to take notice that something might be wrong with their vehicle when CAR and DRIVER reported in their August 1999 issue that they could not achieve a 0-60 time in under 6.0 seconds. Ford advertises a 0-60 time in 5.4 seconds; however, this was achieved with a coupe while CAR and DRIVER conducted their test with a convertible model. Ford still believes that CAR and DRIVER should have been able to achieve a 0-60 time in at least 5.6 seconds.
It is thought that CAR and DRIVER'S article possibly exposed a problem to customers who were otherwise not informed. This translated into increased customer calls to Ford/SVT during the week of 05 July.
BlueOvalNews started to receive internal documents concerning possible problems with the '99 Cobra several weeks ago. One internal document, which we are also alleging is from a Ford/SVT source immediately caught our attention by stating "Exhaust and intake solve part of issue, but it appears there is a design flaw."
Another section of that same document that also caught our attention read "Where do we address fix for compression ratio issue".
BlueOvalNews also obtained a memo issued by a senior Ford employee in the Large Luxury Vehicle Center with Advanced Vehicle Technologies which states "production engines down on power 5-7 Hp due to intake (5-6 Hp) and compression (1-2 Hp) -Production muffler restriction is resulting in 7 Hp loss vs development. Containment actions: (1) Qualify Manifolds and recover loss to development levels. Timing and feasibility is TBD. (2) Hand cut muffler tubes similar to development to reduce restriction to development levels. Timing is TBD. (3) REP looking at changes to recover CR without screwing up 5.4L 4Vs." We are alleging that another part of the same memo reads "Service actions: (1) Hand cut tubes for muffler to reduce restriction. Timing for service TBD. (2) Investigate service rework of customer manifolds from service. Timing TBD. Permanent Corrective Actions: Make sure that production hardware can achieve development levels Also, recommendation is to revalidate and confirm that we can achieve 320 Hp/ 5.4 sec 0-60 with production variability for 2000 Job1 or defer Job1 until we confirm we achieve".
BlueOvalNews has also learned at an alleged 60% of 1999 Cobra Mustangs are affected with this problem(s)!
If you were Ford Motor Company, you would probably be concerned not only with the embarrassment and repercussions that this whole mess will generate, but you would also take into account the bad amount to Public relations and money it's going to take to fix the problem.
BlueOvalNews further alleges that another Ford/SVT document states "This doesn't include financial implications of dealer picking up car from customer's home/work w/flatbed truck; providing comparable loaner, returning vehicle via flatbed, washed and with full tank; extending powertrain warranty to 6 years/60,000 miles".
Another section of that same document states "Also doesn't include potential implications if fix is not sufficient. If we admit that this gets only 305-310 hp, then do we need to offer to replace engines with proper 2000MY engines, offer customer $$ ($2500?) off future FMC product, or potentially buy back vehicles??? MAJOR COST IMPLICATIONS".
BlueOvalNews DOES NOT know when Ford or SVT will address either of the two issues covered within this article; however, we expect that they will issue a press release/statement sooner than later. . .generally after damage control reports come sizzling in. (We expect that SVT's phones will be ringing off the hook this entire week).
BlueOvalNews has more documents and plans to do a follow up article concerning both the vibration and engine performance issues pertaining to the 1999 Cobra Mustang soon. GENERAL TERMS USED: CR or C/R = compression ratio. 2000MY = 2000 Mustang Cobra production. TBD = To be determined 5.4 = 2000 Cobra R WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK ! <OR> READ AN APPEAL TO ALL FORD ENTHUSIASTS.
BlueOvalNews.com |
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