Hello to all. I recently purchased a 2003 cobra from a Ford dealership. I previously had a 1999 cobra. I need help. I am hearing a ticking noise coming from the head. My mechanic said it may be a belt tensioner or a lifter. I read a few threads that mentioned a problem with the 2003 heads, However when i called Ford and inquired about the problem they stated that there were no recalls or tsb's. I almost feel lost. I went back to my dealership and they told me i had to wait to use my warranty. Is anybody familiar with the 2003 head problem and if so, is it somthing that Ford will take care of?
If I'm remembering correctly, the 03's had problems with the 'tick', which is what it sounds like you have. I thought there was a recall on the heads for that year, but I'm not sure.
Hello to all. I recently purchased a 2003 cobra from a Ford dealership. I previously had a 1999 cobra. I need help. I am hearing a ticking noise coming from the head. My mechanic said it may be a belt tensioner or a lifter. I read a few threads that mentioned a problem with the 2003 heads, However when i called Ford and inquired about the problem they stated that there were no recalls or tsb's. I almost feel lost. I went back to my dealership and they told me i had to wait to use my warranty. Is anybody familiar with the 2003 head problem and if so, is it somthing that Ford will take care of?
"wait to use your warranty" wtf does that mean wait till it's expired
you need to find a better dealer, one that won't blow-smoke up your ass, as there were several TSB's on the cyl head tick on 2003 Cobra's....sounds to me like they just don't want the hassle of pulling a DOHC cyl head.........
No recall on heads but ford would take care of it if their was a problem and if you just bought it from a dealer and you should have some type of warranty if it is only 30 days. hound them to take care of it and if it ticks they should take care of it. Some heads had a tick and some I believe had a cooling problem that would burn up a piston. Seems all problems came from the driver side head. I asked about this before I got my 03 cobra with 3200 miles on it, so far for me so good. Good luck and remember you will have to hound them about it. Don't waist your time with them unless you have a warranty with it.
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2003 SVT Cobra vert. Tourch Red 458 rwhp at 474 rwtq. mods 2.810 pulley, steeda cold air, cat back - flowmaster exhaust, sct tune, 15.8 boost, boost overlay.
Thanks for the response. Now that i know its not just me, and there is a problem, it makes it a little easier. I will stay on them until i get results. I will let you guys know how i make out. Again thanks.
I have had 2 cobras, an 03 and currently an 04. Both have the "tick" that you are referring to. I am told it is an exhaust valve guide that was inherently bad in the 03/04 cobras. My tuner swears that the engine will be fine and it is just noise, but I plan to have the heads ported and all of that replaced soon. I have also heard that all 03 cobras will develop the tick if they don't have it already, and many early production 04's as well. I have #45 in 2004, my buddy has a late 04 with twice the mileage and doesn't have the tick. Ford supposedly fixed the problem in mid-year development in 04.
the first run of 03 cobras do have a tsb on the drivers side head...had mine fixed....it is due to a too small of an oil supply source to the rear of head. newer heads had this fixed
Ok, so im getting somewhere with the dealership. The sevice manager seems pretty cool and understands my problem. He said they located the TSB and Ford will replace my head. But he wants to try to go through the warranty company first, be cause he thinks that when he explains the problem, they will authorize a new motor. He said the have done it before with good results. The warranty company doesnt even send out an adjuster or any rep or anything. Once they hear him say engine noise, they tell him "do what you gotta do." So i figure lets try that, and if it doesnt work, then ill settle for the head replacement. Again thanks for all the input, and ill keep you posted on how this turns out.
"wait to use your warranty" wtf does that mean wait till it's expired
you need to find a better dealer, one that won't blow-smoke up your ass, as there were several TSB's on the cyl head tick on 2003 Cobra's....sounds to me like they just don't want the hassle of pulling a DOHC cyl head.........
hope there is nothing done to the engine to help performance (pulley, cai, intake , anything)both ford and the warrenty company will wash there hands of it. A friend had a twin disc clutch installed and drag radials, they didnt replace the engine until a lawyer got involved...and yes they will send out an adjuster, no ones likes to have to pay a 6000 repair bill if they can get out of it...
The car is the way they sold it to me (stock). My exhaust is here in the box along with my cai, my diablo, the steeda shifter, the pulley, the 4:10 gears. Cant wait to put these mods on when i get the car back. Point being the dealer has an all stock 03 cobra with 47000 miles on it. Now im waiting to hear from them...
Ok Im back in business! They fixed it. The question is, what is "it"? It is defined as #8 Rod bearing was spun. Im not a motorhead and i am not ashame to admit that there is a lot i dont know, so im going to write what i have on one of my invoices. (I cant find the other invoice). 1 crankshaft main, 8 connecting rod, 1 crankshaft asy, 1 o-ring, 1 seal, 1 bb gasket, and all the usual for oil change, transmission fluid, and anti-freeze. So what i thought was a head tick turned out to be a rod knock. LOL like i said im still learning. Also the service manager told me he got the ok to replace the heads if the ticking was an issue. I cant complain at this point. Now its time to make this car run.
Thanks to all for their input.
2003 cobra engine noise 
wait till it's expired
.........
lmao...... No, Not at all
