Leaking valve cover gasgets on 03 LS?

[Sn8kbordin]

My dad's 03 LS V8 started misfiring. We brought it to the dealer and got a Ford Edge rental.
Now my service adviser sucks (name is Ed at Elmhurst Lincoln Mercury dealer in Elmhurst, IL) and most of the time does not know what is going on. So on 2nd day he tells me I need 8 new coils and they wait for Ford's permission to fix my dad's LS. WTF? I have ESP and it surely is covered, but I can't find out why they need FMC permission to fix my car. I do have ESP warranty on the LS. On 4th day i find out they need to order coils. On 5th day i find out that 2 coils they ordered are not what they were supposed to be. On 6th day I dont call. On 7th day it is ready, but I was in some paper mill plant, visiting for work, and missed their call. Still Ed doesn't tell me anything but that 8 coils were replaced because they were "worn out". 8 coils worn out on a 5 year old car with like 30K miles? Sure, Ed.
On the invoice it says that coils are covered in oil. They also replaced valve cover gaskets, and 8 coils. No charge, not even my deductible.
I thought the leaking valve covers were problem on 00-02 LS and 03+ did not have this problem.
Anyone else had this happen on 03+ LS?

 

[glanga]

It's a common problem on all years. 03 was actually the year that the recall first came out for so this should have nothing to do with your personal warranty on the car. It should be completely covered by Ford because of the recall and it should have nothing to do with your ESP. They are supposed to replace all faulty coils, the VCG, and some piece around the wiper assembly that leaks. The coils were most likely "worn out" from the oil leakage and its not uncommon for that to happen at 30k. It first happened to mine at 35k.

The actual recall that was issued to consumers is different than the one issued to the dealerships. The consumer one I've always interpreted that they were supposed to fix all 8 coils once and only once and replace the VCG. The dealership showed me theirs which said they were to only replace the faulty coils and VCG and that was it. If another coil went, it was on the consumer to replace.

 

[NYC LS8]

I have, twice. So have others. Ford extended the warranty on the VC gaskets, coils, boots and plugs for the 03 and 04s up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.

 

[Sn8kbordin]

I have, twice. So have others. Ford extended the warranty on the VC gaskets, coils, boots and plugs for the 03 and 04s up to 10 years and 100,000 miles.

10y/100K warranty helps.

Thanks guys.
I guess I won't be getting 06 LSE.

 

[NYC LS8]

Here's some info I posted about the letter I got from Ford last year:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=34064

 

[glanga]

According to the dealerships, now that your father's car has had all coils and the VCG replaced, if it happens again even within the 10yr/100k that it is on you or your personal warranty to cover. The recall no longer applies which to me is contrary to the recall letter they sent out. I've read two different dealership letters on this and they were both different than the one sent out to owners/consumers.

 

[Sn8kbordin]

According to the dealerships, now that your father's car has had all coils and the VCG replaced, if it happens again even within the 10yr/100k that it is on you or your personal warranty to cover. The recall no longer applies which to me is contrary to the recall letter they sent out. I've read two different dealership letters on this and they were both different than the one sent out to owners/consumers.

Dealer gives 1 year/12K warranty on the work they do so at least I have that and ESP for the rest, if this is the case.
I'm gonna call Ed about it and have him replace spark plug too.

 

[glanga]

I would request a new service advisor personally, or the head service advisor.

 

[King03LS8]

Ed sounds like a 9/hr idiot. Get someone new or go to another dealer.

 

[Sn8kbordin]

Ed sounds like a 9/hr idiot. Get someone new or go to another dealer.

The other Lincoln services departments are not better. I tried them already. Might as well not waste my time and visit the closest POS Lincoln dealer.

 

[glanga]

What about a Ford dealer. Or is this a FLM dealer to begin with?

 

[Sn8kbordin]

What about a Ford dealer. Or is this a FLM dealer to begin with?

Its not a problem anymore. I will be trading in my LS when Pontiac G8 GXP comes out and I'll either get G8 GXP or something else up to $35k, up to 2 years old.
Now in my LS there is noise coming from the wheels, sounds tires have marbles in them, airbag light is on, I'm getting noise from the differential, a rattle developed in the dash and rear deck... I'm not gonna spend any more $ on it. It served me well. Its just the Lincoln dealers are PITA to deal with.
My dad will have to deal with Lincoln dealers if he decides to keep the LS. Probably until his ESP will expire.
Funny thing is that I had less problems with my 01 LS V8 than he did with his 03 V8 and I auto-x, drag raced mine and I red-line it everyday.
If other dealers are like that I might as well not get luxury car. These 335i look tempting and I would like to see how their dealers treat customers. Just to see where all that $ goes

For sale soon: 00-02 V8 CAI intake, X-cal, aux input for Apline in-dash 6 CD changer, maybe 18" Dirty Dog, Dubz, wheels w/ 245-40-18 General UHP tires

 

[glanga]

Well good luck. Seems like more and more LVC members are dissenting to other brands rather than new ones joining or keeping their Lincolns.

 

[Sn8kbordin]

Well good luck. Seems like more and more LVC members are dissenting to other brands rather than new ones joining or keeping their Lincolns.

Lincoln doesn't have a product that I am interested in. I wont be driving much the car I own as I will be travelling for work a lot, 1-2 weeks at a time so I dont care about MPGs.
The twin turbo MKS is, but I dont wanna deal with their service departments anymore.

 

[King03LS8]

Lincoln doesn't have a product that I am interested in. I wont be driving much the car I own as I will be travelling for work a lot, 1-2 weeks at a time so I dont care about MPGs.
The twin turbo MKS is, but I dont wanna deal with their service departments anymore.

I'm getting to that point as well man. I've been looking for a replacement since I sold my TL. The LS is nice but they are a headache to maintain. Nothing has really jumped out to me though.