new 8/28/02
To: twright@one-eleven.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2002 3:46 PM
Subject: V8SHO.com Website
Tim,
Hi, My name is Justin and I own a 97 SHO. I recently had to send my car off to the shop for repairs. We were parked at a light and the engine just died. We got it started back up and managed to get it to a friends house right up the street. It was running like it had no power at all. There was no ticking noise or anything. We just heard from the dealership and they ran 3 tests on it, all coming back with nothing. They seem to think that it may be a problem with the cam. I've been reading on your sight and I can't seem to find anyone telling what happens when this "Cam Failure" problem occurs. Can you give me any information? I did find the information to call the NHTSA and Ford. I fully intend to raise hell with them if this is the problem. It sounds like it won't do any good, but it might make me feel better. Anyways, any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Justin Zigon
Well, I just heard from the workshop were the car is, turns out the cam shaft broke in half. The mechanic says it was due to running the car on low oil all its life (which must have been the case before we got it, because we always check to make sure everything is right). I appreciate your help and as always my family and I will continue to read and support your site.
If you want know the final price for the repair with labor ....its $3000. We appreciate the opportunity to put our experience online for other to read.
Thanks
Justin Zigon
update 1/14/05 - Cam Failure # 499
Hi Larry,
My Name is Michelle and I am a V8 Sho owner. I had a cam problem a couple years back that I have already dealt with and Tim Wright was a person that I talked to back then. I had him add mine and my husbands name to lawsuit as well. My problem now is that I have another cam that has gone bad. This time it has totally messed up the engine. According to my husband we have a busted piston along with the cam problem. What I need is a number or a list of numbers to get in contact with Ford about the problem. If you could please get back with me as soon as possible I would really appreciate it. I would like to get the phone calls started as soon as possible. If I can make any headway with Ford I will provide as much information back to you as I can. I appreciate all of your help and support with fellow V9 Sho owners and this cam shaft problem. If there is any other way that I can help please let me know.
Thanks
Michelle R. Zigon
For those that had engine failure: Answer all the questions the best you can.
1. VIN#s -
1FALP54N3VA271959
2. Date of malfunction - 1) Aug 2002 2) 12-23-04
3. Where did the malfunction take place (highway, city streets, driveway, parking lot, etc.) - 1)City street 2)Parked, running in a driveway
4. Odometer reading at time of malfunction - 1)69,408 2)94,440
5. How fast were you traveling? - 1) 35 2)0
6. Were you accelerating or staying at a constant speed? 1) decelerating 2)stopped
7. Estimated date of purchase, new or used? March, 5 2002 - used
8. Estimated Odometer reading at time of purchase 61,000
9. Full Name, address, and a good phone# to reach you at during the day and night.
Justin A Zigon (snip)
10. Brief description of the time of events leading towards the malfunction. (what did you hear and see before, during, and after the malfunction)
1) No Indication - all of a sudden car felt like it was running on a couple cylinders, and lost all power 2) Ticking noise for 2 days, car stalled while parked, wouldn't start again
11. Customer service phone # you called and the name of the person you talked to. (if you can remember) 1) Don't Remember 2) 1-800-392-FORD - Rhadah
12. Did you feel satisfied with the answers customer service provided? Explain. 1) No, made it seem it was my fault, and that it was a very rare failure 2) No, once again it was my fault, and there was nothing they could (or would) do according to Ford Policy
13. Which dealership did you take your vehicle in for service? (name, address, phone#)
Middlekauf Ford 4400 West Plano Parkway Plano, Texas 75093 972-758-8035
14. What was the cause of failure determined by the dealer? They told me that I must not have been taking care of the car which cause the cam to fail.
15. What was the cause of failure determined by you?
Ford's faulty manufacturing and/or design
16. How much was your statement? (I hope you kept your receipt)
$2873.65
17. What can FOMOCO do to make you a satisfied Ford owner?
Take responsibility for its mistakes, pay for repairs, and develop better customer service policies.