Engine damaged within 6 months

REPORT ON FORD RANGER 2.2 TDCI XL PICKUP SUPER CAB Date purchased: 28/06/2017 Dealership vehicle purchased from: LENKAY MOTORS PHALABORWA Year model: 2012 Type of vehicle: FORD RANGER 2.2 TDCI PICKUP SUPERCAB Km on purchase: 163528 km VIN Nr: A***XXMJ2GCL63395 Engine Nr: QJ2KGCL63395 Vehicle Reg Nr: DLC 839L

To whom it may concern...

Good Day

I purchased a Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI pickup super cab at Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa on the 28th of June 2017 with the following km on the engine 163528km. When I purchased the vehicle I was told by the Owner of Lenkay Motors that the vehicle’s engine is new and was replaced by Allen Joss Motors in Pretoria on 97000km. So that means the engine I had in my vehicle had only 66528km on. Please see annexure A: Invoice that I acquired from Allen Josh that shows that the engine was replaced on the 18/02/2015.

I drove the vehicle for a month and a half and took it to Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa for a service when the engine was on 171418km. See annexure B: The stamp on the service book and invoice for service labour and I supp**** the service equipment.

About a week later on the 30/08/2017 I took the vehicle back to them as soon as I saw that it is putting out blue/grey smoke when I started the vehicle. They took it to their mechanics and the vehicle was returned to me. They stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.

On the 03/09/2017 the engine warning light came on while driving the vehicle, I then took the vehicle back to Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa on the 04/09/2017. The vehicle was then taken to Rhino Auto Electrical where they ran a quick test and found the following faults. All faults were cleared and I received my vehicle back from Lenkay Motors Phalabrowa. See annexure C: The report from rhino auto electrical.

All was well for a few days until the 11/09/2017 when the engine warning light came back on again. See annexure D: As seen in the picture the km done since service was 1131km. The owner Mr Francois then told me that if engine warning light comes on again I must bring the vehicle straight to them to take it to the Ford Garage so they can see what the problem is.

Two days later on the 13/09/2017 the engine warning light came on again as I was driving I then turned around and headed to Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa. They then sent me to Ford Phalaborwa. Juan the mechanic at Ford Phalabrowa had a look at the vehicle and stated that the Intercooler had to be replaced as it has burst. On the 20/09/2017 the vehicle was taken to Ford Phalaborwa for the Intercooler to be replaced. See annexure E: Invoice from Ford Phalaborwa dated 20/09/2017 for the amount of R5341.013 that was claimed on my SA Warranties Policy. When I started the vehicle it still showed the blue/ grey smoke and I was told that it is the oil in the system from the burst intercooler. So I drove the vehicle like that under the impression that the smoke would go away like they stated. But it did not, the smoke got worse.

On the 20/12/2017 before I wanted to go on Holiday, I took the vehicle back to Lenkay Motors Phalabrowa to tell them that the blue/grey smoke is still there and not going away and again they sent me the their workshop. The guys there only then after all this time picked up that the engine have sump compression and that the engine must be redone. From there I went back to Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa and reported to them what the mechanics found and then Mark of Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa, sent me to Ford Phalaborwa which also stated the exact same thing and gave me a quotation of R98407.31. See annexure F Quote dated 20/12/2017.

The lady at Ford Phalabrowa phoned SA WARRANTIES which said: they are only going to cover R20 000 for the engine replacement. I again went back the Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa who then stated I must take the vehicle to Ford Tzaneen. For a second opinion as they did not believe the engine was blown as no tests were done to prove that the engine was blown and what the causes are. I was told to take the vehicle to Tzaneen Ford on the 21/12/2017 which I did do at my own cost.

I was received there by Mr Herman from the workshop who then got his best mechanic to run diagnostics on my vehicle which they did and found that the injectors were overfueling thus causing the blue/grey smoke. Annexure G: The injectors reading

They then did other test on the vehicle and also found the excessive sump pressure. They told me that the engine has to be replaced and also gave me a quotation for R99248.82 Annexure H: Quotation from Ford Tzaneen

I informed MR Mar Webb from Lenkay Motors Phalabrowa that Ford Tzaneen also came to the same conclusion and was adamant that they are not going to be liable for the engine replacement. Ford Tzaneen then also contacted SA WARRANTIES to tell them that the engine has to be replaced, and SA WARRANTIES said that they wanted photos to proof that the engine has to be replaced and that it is for the customer, costs to have the engine stripped. Annexure I: Quotation received from Tzaneen Ford to have engine stripped.

I told them to carry on as it is needed to be done and the vehicle was returned to them Ford Tzaneen on the 27/12/2017 for them to continue to strip the engine to do the fault finding and for the pictures that is needed. On the 28/12/2017 I received news for Ford that the engine is stripped and that the piston sleeves on the vehicle have been washed due to the excessive over fuelling of the injectors. Thus causing the sump compression. Find attached the photos that was taken by Ford Tzaneen Please also find attached video clip of the excessive breathing coming from the turbo pipe.

SA WARRANTIES is only paying R20 000 of the engine replacement and the rest has to come out of my own pocket which I think is real unfair as I reported the faults early on to Lenkay Motors Phalaborwa and no real action was given from there side to find a solution to fix the vehicle. Most of the expenses already came out of my own pocket. The vehicle I only had in my possession for 6 months and they want to hold ne accountable for all the repairs.

Please could you help me in this regard? It’s quite urgent because my vehicle brings in my bread and butter and it is all I have to make an income. At this moment I cannot do anything without my vehicle. The vehicle is for business and it has been standing since 27/12/2017 with no resolution from LENKAY’S side as I was by him on the 29/12/2017 and was told that no one can hold him accountable to repair the vehicle engine. I have had the vehicle for only 2 months when it started giving me problems.

Kind Regards

Russell Allen Greef **********