My 'new' 2003 Grand Marquis.

[Grand Marquis GT]

So your engine valve covers don't have the dots and x on them? If they did, the tensioner stuff was already done. I have some info on my website (see my sig) with pics of the markings. Nice car though!

Holy crap!

Where you been?

[GrumpMarky]

Oh, I got sidetracked with another car. A '66 Imperial. But I sold it in September, so I am concentrating on the LSE again!

[Piece-it pete]

Thanks for the info. No markings, oh well.

Your car looks great! I like Imperials too though.

Pete

[GrumpMarky]

I know your car is out of warranty, but maybe you can persuade the dealership to do the recall belatedly. It was a recall, and it should have been done. Good luck. Thanks for the kind words!

[Piece-it pete]

I will check on the recall, thanks!

I got the hood struts and installed the latch. The struts are the easiest thing in the world, 5 minutes, and made a difference even in the hood popping up. The latch took maybe 20 minutes including me cleaning the crap out of everything & aligning. It works new now.

The guy still has another latch left for $11! And it is Motorcraft. You should buy it.

I've been on a cheap parts roll lately, I just picked up a 8 pack of new Motorcraft coils for $85 delivered! My wife is gonna kill me though. And Amazon has Timken front bearing assemblies for less than $60 delivered! Must... Not... Buy....

But I might need them! D'oh.

Pete

PS Apparently getting pics in a week or two means a year 79lincs' nefarious plan to get me to take some worked!

[miamibob]

Me likey!!

[Piece-it pete]

Thanks!

I took Grumps' advice and emailed Ford this am, told them this is my 7th Panther (I counted the ill fated 89 TC I scrapped), had a engine noise, found out about the timing chain guide/tensioner issue and am FURIOUS.

Let's see what they do. It is about 9 years old now. But on my 97 they did do the intake for the cost of parts, when it had over 80k at 7-8? years old.

Pete

[packman]

....I took Grumps' advice and emailed Ford this am, told them this is my 7th Panther (I counted the ill fated 89 TC I scrapped), had a engine noise, found out about the timing chain guide/tensioner issue and am FURIOUS......
Pete

.......fix it NOW or I will buy an Impala.



Packman

[sly]

mid 90s Impala SS... none of that FWD BS

[Piece-it pete]

Um, I would drive a whale Impala for sure! As long as someone else changes the distributor from what I've heard.

Ford, you feelin me man? You make this cheap a$$ pollack happy or I'll.... I'll... I'll buy a Hyundi!!



Pete

[gadget73]

oh god, LT1 Optispark. And people pick on Ford's "better ideas".

[sly]

or just get an SS that's had an LS swap done already.

[Piece-it pete]

Those LT1s are brutal. I had a 96 Roadmaster wagon, that thing defied the laws of physics. It was u-u-ugly though.

I got an answer back from Ford. Go to a dealer, etc, and this: "If there is no coverage under applicable warranties, recalls or ESP's, repairs and services would be your responsibility.", so I said before I go to a dealer to find out what I already know, is the timing chain tensioner guide issue covered under any of it?

I really don't expect them to do anything but heck, worth a shot anyway.

Pete

[Piece-it pete]

Hey, just scored a new Katzkin interior set for less than $200!

[tjc78]

Nice score!

The TSB for the timing chain issue is 03157. That may help you in the quest for an answer, whether or not they have extended the warranty for this issue.