25,000km And Some Problems

[cwilliams]

My Blueprint Manual has now done 25,000km, ans it has mostly been fun to drive, but now it has started to get some minor probelms that together are taking the edge off the fun.

Has anybody experienced any of the following, and how successful have you been at getting warranty action to rectify them?:

1. Brakes shuddering – varies from very minor to severe, occasionally pulls to the right on mild brake application – discs have previously shown this condition and been rectified – is it XR6T “characteristic”?

2. Engine/driveline snatches at very low to zero throttle on overrun, to coast, to drive

3. Driveline lash makes smooth downshifts (particularly 3rd to 2nd) and then slow acceleration very difficult (eg in heavy traffic), which won’t be improving the driveline lash!

4. Acceleration at constant throttle feels like engine is going thro several distinct stages of power application (steps rather than smooth as it used to be when younger)

5. Ticking noise from serpentine belt area at idle when cold/cooler, not audible with windows closed, may diminish as revs rise, but hard to tell – new noise, not previously evident

6. Ticking noise from engine at each upwards gearshift as accelerate –waste gate ???

7. Occasional failure to start at first turn of ignition key, then requires fair bit of cranking to start

8. Hose to valve cover has blown off once, owner simply refitted, and engine OK

9. Fuel economy very suddenly improved (after 27mpg economy during 450km country run at highway speeds) – used to struggle to get 100km from first ¼ tank, now suddenly improved to over 120km – leaned off, potentially dangerous to engine?

10. Blueprint paint soft – easily stone chips on front and bonnet – common problem?

11. Pattering noise from rear suspension at low speeds (40 to 70 kmh) – something loose or worn at rear?

12. Still fun to drive though, but the above are annoying, so it is off back to the dealer this week!

[Guest cul08r]

hey cwilliams, I will try to respond to most questions.

1 Get angry with the dealer re this, and demand a fix, saying that it is dangerous for your family. Ford should do something about this soon.

2 normal with a manual, although I think it's too much in this car, so ask for it to be checked. Associated with your point 3, called backlash, or driveline shunt.

4 basically normal, but should not surge too much. should be basically uniform.

5 not sure, mine did too this week, 16,500k

6 called wastegate flutter, when the wastegate releases thepressure from the turbo when acceleration stops. completely normal, and very cool. watch the WRC somtime on fox or 10.

9 ask the dealer to check out the air fuel ratio, make sure all is OK.

10 same with most new cars, use a good polish and wax to protect it...

11 small child? really, no idea. get them to check - shocks?

Andrew

[len]

10. I have the same problem. My blueprint has done 21000Km and has several chips on the bonnet. I however use a good polish / wax. (Meguires).

You can see the grey undercoat on every chip. The paint seems horribly thin. I intend to complain to the dealer about how thin the paint is. Has anyone else experienced this problem / complained to Ford about it?

Len

[ktford]

1. Brakes shuddering – varies from very minor to severe, occasionally pulls to the right on mild brake application – discs have previously shown this condition and been rectified – is it XR6T “characteristic”?

5. Ticking noise from serpentine belt area at idle when cold/cooler, not audible with windows closed, may diminish as revs rise, but hard to tell – new noise, not previously evident

6. Ticking noise from engine at each upwards gearshift as accelerate –waste gate ???

9. Fuel economy very suddenly improved (after 27mpg economy during 450km country run at highway speeds) – used to struggle to get 100km from first ¼ tank, now suddenly improved to over 120km – leaned off, potentially dangerous to engine?

11. Pattering noise from rear suspension at low speeds (40 to 70 kmh) – something loose or worn at rear?

Get your discs machined & fit aftermarket QFM pads cost about $50.

Think you'll find most of your ticking noise is your injectors, some injectors are always audible.

I wouldn't worry about your economy, sounds like it's settled down now.

Pattering noise I'd suggest is coming from an irregularity in a rear tyre.

Welcome to the site & please continue to post & keep us informed with your cars progress.

Scotty

[Falchoon]

5. Ticking noise from serpentine belt area at idle when cold/cooler, not audible with windows closed, may diminish as revs rise, but hard to tell – new noise, not previously evident

Mine does that, been doing it for a while. I 'spose I should get it checked out one of these days. Doesn't do it when hot, only when cold. My belt was leaving fine shavings all over the engine bay due to rubbing on edge of pulley, Ford dealer sanded the pulley smooth, no more shavings. Not sure if this is related though, ticking noise still seems the same.

[XRTank]

FYI... I have experienced 1, 5 and 7 as well. Regarding the ticking noise, I've had this from very early on, but does subside once the engine has warmed up after about a minute of idling. I haven't raised this with my dealer though.

[ktford]

I've had the pulley fix & it does reduce the self destructing belt.

Scotty

[BLKXR6T]

I experience the backlash and the driveline shunt too.. and although my diff has been replaced twice, it continues to happen. I put it down to extremely poor engineering in the driveline/diff.

It is very dangerous when downshifting at low speeds.

Ford should act on this immediately, and stop acting like theres no problem. It is widespread with the manual gearboxes.

[TURBO4LT]

If they fixed these quality control issues what is a good car would be a great car, come on FORD get it together.

[ZAP]

11. I would say is the dredded handbrake swish.

Someone has overajusted the handbrake and the pads are slightly rubbing on the disks.