FORD dealer says the NGK cold plugs from ZFG now means I need a long block in my 25!

[Zorrosdens]

I can’t even wrap my head around this. I’m gonna go in in the morning and find out they’ve had it since Monday. I’ll try to make a long story short had about 47,000 miles on the motor. Everything running, smooth and good no tune yet I haven’t put that on, but I have it, but it’s not on the car yet no real additions under the hood other than the cosmetic computer cover and strut tower brace from Steeda… so had them drain and flush the transmission, front and rear differentials and I had the cold plugs put in acquired from ZFG tune gapped… a little while after they did all the service I got an engine light it had to do with a crank case ventilation took it in they ordered a part. They put it on a few days later, the light was off and then a few days after that it came back on, so brought it back in. They ordered another part (still motor run just fine), and I had an appointment one week after the second diagnosis and part order. This weekend on the way home on Saturday night from work second shift felt like the accelerator wasn’t giving me much results and the motor was running rough and poorly. It went away and got better. Still didn’t feel perfect but just kind of took it easy and got home I was going to get it looked at it was going in on Monday anyway because they got that other part to put on. Was going to work Sunday 2 miles from home same thing also the error code during this time was for misfiring on one and five and multiple… therefore turned around, went back home, brought it in first thing in the morning on Monday They’ve had it since then, I’m in a loaner and now I hear that they the aftermarket plugs did cylinder damage somehow they say from the aftermarket plugs they’re talking about seeing if they can get it under warranty sounding like a long block is what they’re calling. I’ll be going in in the morning to talk. I can not even believe that those could do that and I still don’t quite believe that I have to find out some very big specifics and ask some very specific questions.

 

[Zorrosdens]

I just found this out and it’s making no sense. Unless something else happened wrong on the installation of the plugs is my biggest guess

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Were you tuned when you had the plugs done. Since they’re aftermarket units, they would have grounds to decline the warranty claim, and make you pay it. If they do that, I’d go somewhere else to get a second opinion, because if there wasn’t installation error, the chance of colder plugs causing a full long block replacement is a little crazy.

 

[Zorrosdens]

Yeah, I’m in total agreement. I feel like something happened during installation. I’m going to double check this product. Make sure I got the right one. I’m sure that I did, but I have to check that against ZFG website again make sure I’m not off and I understand what you’re saying and they said the same thing but they’re still going to try. They said I don’t think it’s going to fly if it goes through the regular route I even signed something that it was OK for them to put them in whenever I had them do it I told them it was a direct aftermarket replacement, but I certainly wasn’t expecting this. I mean, who would… it’s going to be a pretty serious and probing question on who did the install which tech looked at it later whenever I brought it in the second time and when they went ahead and replaced it back with the Ford plugs that they recommended doing, taking the new ones out that I had them put in try to see if there’s any tracking of some problem possible from faulty installation somehow I don’t know if that’s possible a probable.

 

[UNBROKEN]

This is quite literally what the Magnussom Moss Warranty Act was written for. They can’t deny warranty because you used an aftermarket spark plug, air filter, oil filter, etc.
Not to mention NGK is who makes the oem plugs for Motorcraft.

 

[Zorrosdens]

Thanks very much for that info. I will have this on hand when we talk tomorrow. It’ll be first thing in the morning for sure. Appreciate that OG

 

[2020FordRaptor]

This is quite literally what the Magnussom Moss Warranty Act was written for. They can’t deny warranty because you used an aftermarket spark plug, air filter, oil filter, etc.
Not to mention NGK is who makes the oem plugs for Motorcraft.

Well if they cite the plug as what caused the problem they can void it still.

 

[SugarMouth]

First question that comes to mind is what did they disconnect then damage during install that would cause the crank case code.

95605 is correct and not the issue. There is a better chance the tech dropped something in the cylinder while the plug was out than the insulator failing and falling into the cylinder...especially on a stock tune.

I would ask for a very specific explanation on what they think happened with photos of the plugs and the cylinder. Also, ask for photos looking up at the valves.

 

[Zorrosdens]

These were the codes…
Screenshot that includes Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 28

 

[BuckStrickland]

Well if they cite the plug as what caused the problem they can void it still.

Not really. It's just Ruthenium Spark plugs. The man didn't have them install stage 5 turbos.

My guess is they didn't seat them correctly, or damaged them during install.

 

[BuckStrickland]

These were the codes… View attachment 36397
Screenshot that includes Saturday June 20 and Sunday June 28

Do you have an aftermarket intake? P2C90 is a code due to lack of vacuum. This just backs up my suspicion they installed the plugs incorrectly.

 

[Zorrosdens]

Negative on the intake I actually have it in a box still with an intercooler charge pipes and an oil catch can but they have not been put on yet so everything is very STOCK. Also, I’m in agreement with the post before yours. I can’t see it being the plugs I’ve researched the plugs. They technically are not the ones that are recommended and that is simply because of the heat range as far as the ones that are recommended for fitment WISE from NGK so the physicals are the same. I was on my way to Starbucks to grab coffee before I go in and talk with them, but the technicians that are applicable are out today and Monday will be a better day if things lineup for the discussion so I will wait till then, but I’m very sure that the plugs did not cause cylinder damage. I have to see what they say and what they are talking about and what they are going to say how it caused it that’s going to be interesting. I think it was something else and I’m going to have to step forward about it with as many ducks as I can have lined up which I’ve already gathered a good few appreciate the responses. It’s really unbelievable… A long block of all things because I had that servicing done and changed plugs so crazy.

 

[Zorrosdens]

Literally, I had the fluids changed and flushed in the transmission and both differentials with specifics on my transmission fluid level requested between 2 1/2 and three and that felt much better with that change whether it was the level or just new fluid. It was definitely an improved feel, and I had the plugs installed pretty much was all I had done and then shortly the check engine light on the crank case ventilation and the story else is above no additional that would cause any kind of an indicator to go wrong other than somebody messing something up or apart getting fouled the first time they cleaned the PCV valve was one of the things they did so I would just have to find out what the word is going to be about what they say and we’ll just have a small court session as far as discussion

 

[BuckStrickland]

The math isn't mathing. Maybe they were speculating, but regardless, if it isn't tuned yet, I wouldn't worry too much. They may try to put it on you, then you may have to either find another dealer, or reach out to ford personally, but I would have a hard time seeing them not covering this over a set of spark plugs that THEY installed.