New to this forum, what do you think about 2001 Mustangs?
Hi Mustang Lovers!
I own a 2001 Mustang, it only has 36K on it. So far, I have had a head gasket replaced....just last week. Last month I had the valve covers replaced because they were leaking. The sencer was replaced last month too!(My spelling is awful!) it was recalled, but didn't pick up on the head gasket last week!
I drove to the beach this weekend.....and heard a sound as if a bolt was knocked off and flew around the engine knocking around until it hit the ground? I looked under the hood....it almost looks like something is missing to me? There is alot more free space in the front of the engine and my belts look so exposed, I don't remember having them so exposed before and I don't remember such a empty space in the front of my engine near the antifreeze area. Weird? Did they forget to replace some kind of cover or something? I wish I had a picture of the engine to compare it with.
Last year was something to do with the smog? A Evap leak? Then last Christmas it wouldn't start, they found that a wire was pulled apart at SOLENOID? What ever that is???
Anyway, I'm afraid that the 2001 might not be the car to keep? I know my 95 blew a head gasket, now this one too? What's up with that? I'm almost afraid to see what happens next. The labor on fixing these cars is insane! I love my car, I love Mustangs, I love the looks of them, but will I always be fixing them?
Anyone else having problems with a 2001? Thanks for any input here.
You have low milage for a 98! But, yea....the $$$$ fixing these things!
Wish I knew how, I'd do it myself!!!
I had a 280Z that lasted me 24 years and 489 thousand miles, Yes... four hundred and eighty nine thousand miles! No problems at all! Just your normal breaks, clutch, normal wear and tear!
Nothing like the problems and expences you and I are having! And with low miles too! ???????
P.S.
Anyone want to buy a 2001 Mustang?????????????
I bet we can help. Assuming its a 2001 GT (I own a 2002 GT, which is essentially the same car), 36,000 miles is very low miles. Replacing a head gasket is an odd thing for one so young, and I wonder if it might have been modified - do you know whether the prior owner made any changes to the car? Mustangs are VERY frequent targets for young owners to experiment on, and fixing an inexperienced mechanics mistakes can be an expensive chore.
OK, assuming the car is still stock, head gaskets and valve cover gaskets with so few miles on them rarely fail so quickly. This is unusual, though not unheard of - and further evidence of my suspicion that someone has been modifying the car.
Which sensor did you have to replace? Knowing this will give me an idea what parts were removed to do the work. Sensors going bad is NOT unusual, but also not something that should happen frequently. My car has similar age and mileage, and still has all of its original sensors (though many parts HAVE been modified).
The noise you describe sounds like a loose tool - if the car was otherwise unaffected, I suspect it was just a socket or wrench left behind by whoever did your last service. This is NOT a good recommendation as to the talents of that mechanic, by the way! Check your hood and radiator to be certain you did not sustain any damage from whatever flew around. If the car starts leaking water (a hose might also be damaged this way), get back to that shop immediately.
The space you noticed in front of the engine is probably normal - you can take digital pics and upload them to this site if you want us to take a good close look - feel free to do so. 99-04 Mustangs all have good electric fan systems that leave lots of space (for superchargers for many of us!) between the front of the motor and the back of the radiator. This is normal. If you can take a pic and put it up here we'll know for sure, but I don't think you've got a problem with a missing part.
I won't comment on your smog problem - probably something minor, from the sounds of it, and the loose wire at the starter solenoid (an electronic component that controls the electricity going to your starter) is wierd.
In fact, you are experiencing a lot of little things that could either be coincidence, or (my darker side says) perhaps sabotage or abuse by an unscrupulous mechanic. Do you always take the car to the same shop - and is it a Ford Dealership?
Personally, I would not hesitate to take an unmolested 35,000 mile 2001 Mustang just about anywhere, any time.
You should be able to find and contact a Mustang Club of America club in your area - join, and plug into all the local Mustang lore and talk to your fellow owners in the club. They welcome new members, and will have ALL the lowdown on local conditions, shops, places to avoid, and advice you could ever want.
Get the car checked out by someone who specializes in Mustangs, and who IS NOT your current mechanic. I just don't trust whoever has been working on your car.
Come back here and let us know how it goes, with as much data as you can find.
Best of luck - and yes, I'd give the car a little more time to settle down before you dump it. It MIGHT be a lemon, but I think its still too early to tell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MustangAnnies
Hi Mustang Lovers!
I own a 2001 Mustang, it only has 36K on it. So far, I have had a head gasket replaced....just last week. Last month I had the valve covers replaced because they were leaking. The sencer was replaced last month too!(My spelling is awful!) it was recalled, but didn't pick up on the head gasket last week!
I drove to the beach this weekend.....and heard a sound as if a bolt was knocked off and flew around the engine knocking around until it hit the ground? I looked under the hood....it almost looks like something is missing to me? There is alot more free space in the front of the engine and my belts look so exposed, I don't remember having them so exposed before and I don't remember such a empty space in the front of my engine near the antifreeze area. Weird? Did they forget to replace some kind of cover or something? I wish I had a picture of the engine to compare it with.
Last year was something to do with the smog? A Evap leak? Then last Christmas it wouldn't start, they found that a wire was pulled apart at SOLENOID? What ever that is???
Anyway, I'm afraid that the 2001 might not be the car to keep? I know my 95 blew a head gasket, now this one too? What's up with that? I'm almost afraid to see what happens next. The labor on fixing these cars is insane! I love my car, I love Mustangs, I love the looks of them, but will I always be fixing them?
Anyone else having problems with a 2001? Thanks for any input here.
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I ditto what TripleBlack said. Everything that has gone wrong with your car is strange. I would not put it past a shady mechanic to pull such things to keep your car in his shop frequently. You've definitely found a place here that can help you with troublshooting and things of that nature.
__________________
Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
Thanks Guys!
WOW, now that makes me wonder. Yes, I am taking my car to the same place, A Ford Dealership. Hmmmm they have been known to have a bad rep. At least the one I'm going to does. The only reason I have taken it there is due to my extended warranty. I'm not sure what the rules are when you buy a CNA Warranty? Do I have to take it where I bought it? Also, they are close by and shuttle me to and fro. This last time, they gave me a nice 2006 for 2 days to drive at no charge.
Anyway, the Sencor replaced was a recall...the DPFE Sencor. (Does not seem to work Obviously!) Under description, it says: Sensor ASY 033024 if that helps.
Oh, by the way, it's not a GT....I wish it was!
Last month when I kept smelling something burning, they said it was the valve cover gaskets. Well, the smell wouldn't go away! They said..it's probably left over oil and to wait a week. Well, almost 4 weeks later it still was smokin. When I brought it in, OH it's got a NEW leak! The head! Hmmmmm Funny they didn't notice the first time, same smell....different problem? All billed to the CNA Warranty plus my 100.00 deductible. So, Iv'e spent 200 in 4 weeks, hate to say what the warranty people paid! Over 1,400!
When I bought the car, the prior owner made it dual exaust (Oh Man my spelling!) So, I have 2 shiney pipes instead of one, I found that unusual since it's not a GT. I do like the sound of it though.
I need to find my paperwork, Shortly after I bought the car the check engine light was coming on, I had to take it in a few times, and after I did.....the problems started happening! Usualy within a short period of time between visits! One after the other kind of thing. Then when I don't take it in...nothing. Until this valve thing happend & Head gasket followed it after I kept smelling the burning smell. Weird for sure!
Today, one week later......I'm still smelling a bit of a burning smell. Is that left over? I just don't know.
I'll try and take a digital pic. but where do I upload it? Probably somewhere in my profile huh? To see if my "empty space" is normal? Something just looks different to me, but then...I have been under alot of stress! hahahaha
If my intuition is right, I should get rid of the thing! This has been one of the worst years of my life! (Not meaning car stuff only) I need to get rid of problems, not have more for sure! The smog thing......that was a vapor leak. Evap leak? 300+ dollars later for a 48.00 part! All on me. The loose wire at the starter, that happend around the same time the vapor leak happend...not too far from it!
Well, I am beginning to learn a few things......thank you so much! I'll check back, I'm sure I'll know alot more by coming to this site than I do now for sure! Thanks again!
A cynical comment: It sounds like the dealership is soaking you (a little - I figure they are probably putting the new parts on the car) and CNA (a lot). Have they shone you old parts?
If your car had dual exhaust, it might also have had some tinkering with things like cam shafts and fuel systems - which when they aren't done correctly can really cause trouble down stream.
Is there anyway we can talk you into a nice GT? Not that the V6 isn't good transportation, and it gets a little better gas mileage than a V8...
Anyway, the customer service you're getting sounds good - though the amount of work on a late model low mileage car is very unusual. If the dealership is just correcting some prior mechanic's sloppy work, and getting it done under your warranty, they're doing you a favor. Without actually examining the car, it would be hard to call.
Work such as pulling heads and replacing head gaskets (or even the relatively minor job of replacing valve cover gaskets) can depost lots of crud and oil on the engine and exhaust system. This can take a long time to burn off, if ever. One thing to do is take your car to a detailer and get it cleaned, including the engine. If you still leak oil or smell burning oil, that's a bad sign, and you need to take it back to the dealer and ask them to look into it.
I don't know the details of your warranty, but you might want to pull out the paperwork and give it a once-over.
The recall is no problem - it was done on all V6 cars your vintage.
A check engine light after an exhaust modification is common. Its NOT good news in California, where they are strict about such things. If you get another light, discuss it and find out if its due to the custom exhaust. The prior owner may have bypassed the regular exhaust O2 sensor (with a device called a mil eliminator) that may result in the car failing emissions (have you had to have it tested yet?). The O2 sensor may also have been damaged in the process. Lots of things can cause a check engine light, even just a loose gas cap, though its possible to tell from the error code the EEC (electronic engine control module or "computer") stores what happened. Any shop can pull this code and decipher it for you - and so will most part stores (for free).
The exhaust probably explains the loose wire (knocked loose when rough people pounded on pipes to get them lined up), and perhaps the leak problem (sounds like they were really rough with that exhaust install - amateurs for sure).
I am so sorry you're having these problems. I don't know what sort of budget you have, but you can buy a low mileage GT for about $15000. I wish you were closer to Georgia - I'd make you a deal on the 2002 I have for sale (personal mustang gt) for $18k!
You can upload to the gallery, or us your CP. If you get lost, let us know.
This site has a dedicated V6 section - you can post in there and be talking to V6 officionados (who will all agree with us, of course! Ha!) that you need a GT. No, really, they are great guys and very knowledgable about the V6 situation.
My impulse (my version of your intuition) is to tell you to find a nice GT and walk away from the troubled V6. I wonder, is your car a convertible (mine is, and I love the verts)?
The prices on GT's have recently come down (happens every September - new models are out), and I was just looking at their prices. There's a Classified section on this site that has free listings to sell/buy cars, too.
Let us know how it goes. Get it cleaned and see if you still smell burning oil.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MustangAnnies
Thanks Guys!
WOW, now that makes me wonder. Yes, I am taking my car to the same place, A Ford Dealership. Hmmmm they have been known to have a bad rep. At least the one I'm going to does. The only reason I have taken it there is due to my extended warranty. I'm not sure what the rules are when you buy a CNA Warranty? Do I have to take it where I bought it? Also, they are close by and shuttle me to and fro. This last time, they gave me a nice 2006 for 2 days to drive at no charge.
Anyway, the Sencor replaced was a recall...the DPFE Sencor. (Does not seem to work Obviously!) Under description, it says: Sensor ASY 033024 if that helps.
Oh, by the way, it's not a GT....I wish it was!
Last month when I kept smelling something burning, they said it was the valve cover gaskets. Well, the smell wouldn't go away! They said..it's probably left over oil and to wait a week. Well, almost 4 weeks later it still was smokin. When I brought it in, OH it's got a NEW leak! The head! Hmmmmm Funny they didn't notice the first time, same smell....different problem? All billed to the CNA Warranty plus my 100.00 deductible. So, Iv'e spent 200 in 4 weeks, hate to say what the warranty people paid! Over 1,400!
When I bought the car, the prior owner made it dual exaust (Oh Man my spelling!) So, I have 2 shiney pipes instead of one, I found that unusual since it's not a GT. I do like the sound of it though.
I need to find my paperwork, Shortly after I bought the car the check engine light was coming on, I had to take it in a few times, and after I did.....the problems started happening! Usualy within a short period of time between visits! One after the other kind of thing. Then when I don't take it in...nothing. Until this valve thing happend & Head gasket followed it after I kept smelling the burning smell. Weird for sure!
Today, one week later......I'm still smelling a bit of a burning smell. Is that left over? I just don't know.
I'll try and take a digital pic. but where do I upload it? Probably somewhere in my profile huh? To see if my "empty space" is normal? Something just looks different to me, but then...I have been under alot of stress! hahahaha
If my intuition is right, I should get rid of the thing! This has been one of the worst years of my life! (Not meaning car stuff only) I need to get rid of problems, not have more for sure! The smog thing......that was a vapor leak. Evap leak? 300+ dollars later for a 48.00 part! All on me. The loose wire at the starter, that happend around the same time the vapor leak happend...not too far from it!
Well, I am beginning to learn a few things......thank you so much! I'll check back, I'm sure I'll know alot more by coming to this site than I do now for sure! Thanks again!
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I own a 2001 Mustang, it only has 36K on it. So far, I have had a head gasket replaced....just last week. Last month I had the valve covers replaced because they were leaking. The sencer was replaced last month too!(My spelling is awful!) it was recalled, but didn't pick up on the head gasket last week!
I drove to the beach this weekend.....and heard a sound as if a bolt was knocked off and flew around the engine knocking around until it hit the ground? I looked under the hood....it almost looks like something is missing to me? There is alot more free space in the front of the engine and my belts look so exposed, I don't remember having them so exposed before and I don't remember such a empty space in the front of my engine near the antifreeze area. Weird? Did they forget to replace some kind of cover or something? I wish I had a picture of the engine to compare it with.
Last year was something to do with the smog? A Evap leak? Then last Christmas it wouldn't start, they found that a wire was pulled apart at SOLENOID? What ever that is???
Anyway, I'm afraid that the 2001 might not be the car to keep? I know my 95 blew a head gasket, now this one too? What's up with that? I'm almost afraid to see what happens next. The labor on fixing these cars is insane! I love my car, I love Mustangs, I love the looks of them, but will I always be fixing them?
Anyone else having problems with a 2001? Thanks for any input here.
DO you have a pic of the engine?
Did you buy this car new or used?
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Thanks Guys!
WOW, now that makes me wonder. Yes, I am taking my car to the same place, A Ford Dealership. Hmmmm they have been known to have a bad rep. At least the one I'm going to does. The only reason I have taken it there is due to my extended warranty. I'm not sure what the rules are when you buy a CNA Warranty? Do I have to take it where I bought it? Also, they are close by and shuttle me to and fro. This last time, they gave me a nice 2006 for 2 days to drive at no charge.
Anyway, the Sencor replaced was a recall...the DPFE Sencor. (Does not seem to work Obviously!) Under description, it says: Sensor ASY 033024 if that helps.
Oh, by the way, it's not a GT....I wish it was!
Last month when I kept smelling something burning, they said it was the valve cover gaskets. Well, the smell wouldn't go away! They said..it's probably left over oil and to wait a week. Well, almost 4 weeks later it still was smokin. When I brought it in, OH it's got a NEW leak! The head! Hmmmmm Funny they didn't notice the first time, same smell....different problem? All billed to the CNA Warranty plus my 100.00 deductible. So, Iv'e spent 200 in 4 weeks, hate to say what the warranty people paid! Over 1,400!
When I bought the car, the prior owner made it dual exaust (Oh Man my spelling!) So, I have 2 shiney pipes instead of one, I found that unusual since it's not a GT. I do like the sound of it though.
I need to find my paperwork, Shortly after I bought the car the check engine light was coming on, I had to take it in a few times, and after I did.....the problems started happening! Usualy within a short period of time between visits! One after the other kind of thing. Then when I don't take it in...nothing. Until this valve thing happend & Head gasket followed it after I kept smelling the burning smell. Weird for sure!
Today, one week later......I'm still smelling a bit of a burning smell. Is that left over? I just don't know.
I'll try and take a digital pic. but where do I upload it? Probably somewhere in my profile huh? To see if my "empty space" is normal? Something just looks different to me, but then...I have been under alot of stress! hahahaha
If my intuition is right, I should get rid of the thing! This has been one of the worst years of my life! (Not meaning car stuff only) I need to get rid of problems, not have more for sure! The smog thing......that was a vapor leak. Evap leak? 300+ dollars later for a 48.00 part! All on me. The loose wire at the starter, that happend around the same time the vapor leak happend...not too far from it!
Well, I am beginning to learn a few things......thank you so much! I'll check back, I'm sure I'll know alot more by coming to this site than I do now for sure! Thanks again!
How much did you pay for the car?
I suspecct Trip is correct, someone's been under the hood of the car and screwed things up royally. There is almost no way there could be a bad connection to the solenoid unless someone's pulled the engine
I'd take it to another dealer, pay it $50 to go over the car thoroughly. You'll know what you need, and have documentation if you need it. You may want to go to a Mercury Dealership but make sure it's out of the original dealer network.
THe car is a good car, but someone may have tried to do work on the engine, gave up, and decided to trade it in. The dealership got a bad deal and is trying to pass it on to you while making the most money in repairs it can.
If it doesn't pass the new dealership's test, I'd demand a new engine under warranty. You'll have an entirely new drivetrain and no worries.
I picked up a troubled 1968 Mustang, that the previous owner had given up on -was in over his head. I threw in a new engine, and drove the car 240,000 miles with no trouble. The only reason I got rid of the car was a hit and run job in a WalMart parking lot.
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Thanks Tripleblack!
You have been a big help! I love this site!
No, I have never seen an old part, they never have shown me anything, except for the bill.
My car is not a convertable...and yes, you could talk me into a GT! Just as long as the gas prices keep going down. When it was going for $3.05 and up this summer...well it was just tooooooo much for me! So I'm guessing a V8 would even be worse. But then, my gas milage seems to suck anyways! I can almost see it go down within miles I swear! When I bought it at the dealership used, the print out on the window said 31mpg! Yea right! I wish! More like 18!
Too bad you are all the way in Georgia, I'd go for the 15,000 GT!
When I mentioned the check engine light, I was thinking it should have gone on, but it didn't when the head gasket had a leak. They replaced that sensor when they did the valve covers. I just figured if it was a new sensor, it should have picked up on the new leak. (Or am I totaly wrong, and not knowing what the heck I'm talking about! The sensor is the thing that turns on the check enging light right?) Hope So! hahahaha Hey, I'm a female and don't know anything about cars, just drive them
I will check out the V6 section of this site...thanks for the advice. But, will they be as nice as you have been?
I'll try and take a few photo's.....When I upload, I'll repost here to let you know OK? I'm guessing that's how you would know right? Thanks so much again!!!!
No, I don't have a pic of the engine yet, I'm planning on doing that sometime today...hopefully.
And yep, bought the thing used at a car dealership. When I bought it, it only had 25K on it, now it has 36K.
Thanks Tripleblack!
You have been a big help! I love this site!
No, I have never seen an old part, they never have shown me anything, except for the bill.
My car is not a convertable...and yes, you could talk me into a GT! Just as long as the gas prices keep going down. When it was going for $3.05 and up this summer...well it was just tooooooo much for me! So I'm guessing a V8 would even be worse. But then, my gas milage seems to suck anyways! I can almost see it go down within miles I swear! When I bought it at the dealership used, the print out on the window said 31mpg! Yea right! I wish! More like 18!
Too bad you are all the way in Georgia, I'd go for the 15,000 GT!
When I mentioned the check engine light, I was thinking it should have gone on, but it didn't when the head gasket had a leak. They replaced that sensor when they did the valve covers. I just figured if it was a new sensor, it should have picked up on the new leak. (Or am I totaly wrong, and not knowing what the heck I'm talking about! The sensor is the thing that turns on the check enging light right?) Hope So! hahahaha Hey, I'm a female and don't know anything about cars, just drive them
I will check out the V6 section of this site...thanks for the advice. But, will they be as nice as you have been?
I'll try and take a few photo's.....When I upload, I'll repost here to let you know OK? I'm guessing that's how you would know right? Thanks so much again!!!!
I routinely get 36 mpg on the highway, in town it's probably between 15 and 20, depending on which part of town I'm in and the number of stop signs and long lights.
Sounds like you're out of tune as well.
There's no way your head gaskets shoud have failed unless someone pulled the heads and reused the old gaskets. same goes for the valve covers.
Is it an auto or a stick?
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
New to this forum, what do you think about 2001 Mustangs? 
