Roush Engine Warranty Exclusions.

[jhv48]

For all of you with, or contemplating the purchase of, a Roush crate engine, you might want to read the following warranty exclusions from their website: Specifically, it suggests that these engines are set up with loose tolerances and oil consumption is going to be higher than normal. If you can't live with that, then you might want to consider another engine manufacturer.

"ROUSH Crate Engines are high-performance engines that are based on and operate like the engines designed and produced in the 1960s and later. However, unlike engines of that time, Roush® Crate Engines (like other crate engines currently manufactured in the marketplace) product significantly more power and torque. As a consequence of this, these engines have characteristics different from the original production engines upon which they have been based. The following characteristics are not covered by the Roush Crate Engine Limited Warranty and should be considered before purchase.

Specifically, Roush Crate Engines:

■Are assembled with larger operating clearances
■Will likely have a rougher idle due to the high performance camshaft design
■Will likely make more mechanical noise
■Will likely consume more oil during normal operation
■Will generate more heat due to the increased power level
■May exhibit non-production-like drive characteristics at various speed and load conditions
■Will likely consume more fuel due to the increased power level"

[vector1]

at least everybody knows what to expect. lol

[jhv48]

They do now!

[blykins]

I don't understand the need for loose clearances. It's unnecessary.

[ERA Chas]

Finally-truth in advertising.

[jhv48]

I think they had to spell it out because they were getting quite a few oil consumption complaints.

[209]

No comment. Well maybe one: 1 qt in 300 miles is not normal.

[jhv48]

Mine is being completely rebuilt (and not by Roush) after 13,000 miles. Excessive oil consumption and blow by. Did a leak down test. 6 cylinders at more than 30%. Found cylinder walls that looked like they had 100,000 miles of wear. Found two pistons with hairline cracks between the ring grooves, valve seals leaking, lifters worn. I could have literally bought a new engine.

[RICK LAKE]

blykins Brent it's a race motor. They are covering the warranty problems wih their motors. loose clearances, Where?? and which ones. If the motor is blueprinted there should be no problems with oil consumption if the correct oil weight is used. Crosshatch should not be worn out if a hone plate was used for boring in 13K miles. Same applies for valve stem seals. Is it possible the pushrods are too short or long and the rocker does not center on the valve stem?? The valve is not centered in the sleeve and you have a pre wear out condition. Wonder if the bores are still round with only 4 head bolts holding the heads on and what torque spec they are using? Last note. Some crate motors have soft or bad camshafts and are stripping the gears off and the distributor also. I doubt if the camshaft end play was checked or if there is an oiling hole to help lube the contact between gears at this spot. We saw this at The Run &Gun with 2 motors, both new, eat up gears in under 300 miles. I love this stuff. Rick Ps There are some great engine builders out there that do a better job than a assembly line. This is what you are paying for. Pay the extra money and buy from a certified motor builder. They use all the top of the line products and stand behind their products. Yes you may pay a little more, they have families too. You will win out in the long run also.

[Roush #1]

I guess I'm just lucky. I couldn't ask for any more out of my Roush 427 SR engine. I have over 28 K miles with no major issues. It does use about a quart of oil every 1 k miles, has a lumpy idle, but will idle forever in Texas heat, and gets a bit over over 15 mpg on interstate highways.... but I can live with that.

Wonder how many advertised 525 HP/525 Torque engines are running mid ten second quarter miles?

Jody

[Sailfish]

I guess I'm also lucky. I have an off the shelf 342R Roush motor with over 17,000 miles. With the exception of a new distributor cap and rotor, the motor has never been worked on or had parts replaced (it has the original spark plugs). It uses approx. 1/2 quart of oil per driving season (3500 miles). Yes, it has a lumpy idle and only gets 16 mpg, but it has been flawless. Up to this point, I'm a very satisfied Roush owner.

[twobjshelbys]

My comments embedded

Originally Posted by jhv48

■Are assembled with larger operating clearances
Probably so
■Will likely have a rougher idle due to the high performance camshaft design
Absolutely. The lopey sound from the cam was way cool though!
■Will likely make more mechanical noise
Rattle trap at idle. Sounded great at operating speed
■Will likely consume more oil during normal operation
Yep, about a quart every 1000 miles.
■Will generate more heat due to the increased power level
Not a problem with the king sized radiator in the Cobra, but... The heat in the passenger foot box was intolerable.
■May exhibit non-production-like drive characteristics at various speed and load conditions
Yep, but that was because the fuel injection controller was not set up properly. That was purely a Roush issue and their failure to resolve it is why I wouldn't uy another. Nice engine, not so nice support.
■Will likely consume more fuel due to the increased power level
Actually I got pretty good mileage with mine. 13-15 in normal driving and 18-19 on the highway in 5th gear. I think it was one of the pleasant surprises.

[Varmit]

My Roush had high oil consumption, until I found that the valve stems were worn excessively at the guide. Replace the valves, and virtually no oil consumption.
No other problems so far at 14k

[Roush #1]

Tony,
I have heard very limited positive comments about after market fuel injection systems - Roush included.
No foot box heat issues in Lone Stars! =-)

[Rick Parker]

It would appear they are attempting to create (make public aware) of loopholes which they will attempt to dance through if a rod is not hanging out of the block? Above average oil consumption is more of an inconvenience than an out an out reliability or mechanical problem.

[joyridin']

Well, maybe their engine issues are why they are devoting so much capacity to the oil and gas industry instead of the aftermarket automotive industry these days?

Unfortunately, the last I had heard, they had scrapped 15 parts all in a row worth about $15k each in just raw material.

[Got the Bug]

I've heard about issues with the 427 motor. Any reports from 402 owners? I know I'm going to jinx myself, but my 402 uses little to no oil. I change it annually and can't remember the last time I topped it off.

[rpatton3]

Oil consumption is acceptable. The mechanical failures sound expensive.

My warranty is out. I guess I have something new to worry about.

Russell

[blykins]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

blykins Brent it's a race motor.

My race motors don't get loose clearances....

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by blykins

My race motors don't get loose clearances....

Brent, would you call anything over .0023" on the mains and rods 'loose'?
We're throwing that word around a lot in this thread without a clear common meaning.
Wish we knew where R sets their mains and rods.
And what they may call 'low tension' rings...