Mechanic Recommendations?

[Agent M79]

Hi CAMmers!

I am having a couple of issue with the MM that I'd like to get sorted out that are beyond my local shop to deal with. They are great with the light maintenance and tire and whatnot but I am apparently in need of deeper diagnostics.

Anybody you'd recommend that knows Marauders well?


The two problems I have that either can't be figured out or the 'best guesses' were just wrong are:

A low speed clunk/pop that I think is coming from the front left. Idling through smooth parking lots, I hear the clunk/pop periodically when transitioning over small imperfections in the pavement. I don't hear that clunk/pop when going over rough imperfections, pot holes, or speed bumps.

The other issue is a rough vibration in gear but at full stop. A/C off or on doesn't matter. Idle and rolling, no vibration. Trans shop said it's not the TC and thought it was the engine.

I live in Hampstead but I am in Hunt Valley quite regularly. Any recommendations are appreciated!

[fastblackmerc]

Hi CAMmers!

I am having a couple of issue with the MM that I'd like to get sorted out that are beyond my local shop to deal with. They are great with the light maintenance and tire and whatnot but I am apparently in need of deeper diagnostics.

Anybody you'd recommend that knows Marauders well?


The two problems I have that either can't be figured out or the 'best guesses' were just wrong are:

A low speed clunk/pop that I think is coming from the front left. Idling through smooth parking lots, I hear the clunk/pop periodically when transitioning over small imperfections in the pavement. I don't hear that clunk/pop when going over rough imperfections, pot holes, or speed bumps.

The other issue is a rough vibration in gear but at full stop. A/C off or on doesn't matter. Idle and rolling, no vibration. Trans shop said it's not the TC and thought it was the engine.

I live in Hampstead but I am in Hunt Valley quite regularly. Any recommendations are appreciated!

The low speed clunk / pop could be the font sway bar end links.

Rough vibration could be the plugs, COPs, MAF, or IAC

[Blackened300a]

Hi CAMmers!

I am having a couple of issue with the MM that I'd like to get sorted out that are beyond my local shop to deal with. They are great with the light maintenance and tire and whatnot but I am apparently in need of deeper diagnostics.

Anybody you'd recommend that knows Marauders well?


The two problems I have that either can't be figured out or the 'best guesses' were just wrong are:

A low speed clunk/pop that I think is coming from the front left. Idling through smooth parking lots, I hear the clunk/pop periodically when transitioning over small imperfections in the pavement. I don't hear that clunk/pop when going over rough imperfections, pot holes, or speed bumps.

The other issue is a rough vibration in gear but at full stop. A/C off or on doesn't matter. Idle and rolling, no vibration. Trans shop said it's not the TC and thought it was the engine.

I live in Hampstead but I am in Hunt Valley quite regularly. Any recommendations are appreciated!

The "pop" I been hearing for years in my front end and after endless methods to fix it I concluded that its the aluminum K member shifting ever so slightly on the steel frame. Most members will chime in with the same sound from their front end. I learned to live with it. As for the vibration, I have noticed running summer gas with added ethanol has made my idle a little rougher then normal. If its really bad then its a possible vacuum leak or a coil.

[Bulldog5.0]

Not sure where you are located exactly, but we can figure it out. I work at Tom Hodges Tire and Auto in Hollywood, MD. We have worked on just about every vehicle made. One of the guys does work on the side too, so he might be able to save you some cash.

[Marauderman]

The low speed clunk / pop could be the font sway bar end links.
ives out being on targ
Rough vibration could be the plugs, COPs, MAF, or IAC

I'd go with Jim's advice here^^^^^--with over 99% correct information he gives out being correct--go with Jim's review and see what you get!

[Agent M79]

The low speed clunk / pop could be the font sway bar end links.

Rough vibration could be the plugs, COPs, MAF, or IAC

Thanks Jim. I will keep these things in mind!


As for the vibration, I have noticed running summer gas with added ethanol has made my idle a little rougher then normal. If its really bad then its a possible vacuum leak or a coil.

I am getting gas from various sources due to travel and the issue is consistent across many tanks if gas. I am sure some were chock full of ethanol and others less so.


Not sure where you are located exactly, but we can figure it out. I work at Tom Hodges Tire and Auto in Hollywood, MD.

Hollywood is about 2 1/4 hours away from Hampstead. I am most convenient to Westminster to the west, Hunt Valley south, or down into Baltimore proper.


I'd go with Jim's advice here^^^^^--with over 99% correct information he gives out being correct--go with Jim's review and see what you get!

I hear that. Got my LCM fixed up real good. Wish I could FedEx the entire car to him. It's not even clear to me which end of the wrench to hold! :lol:

[ctrlraven]

The only good mechanic I know of off the top of my head is a guy named Jeff that works at Ridgeville Service/Gas Station in Mt. Airy. I haven't had him personally work on my car but my uncle owns the service station and a lot of people talk highly of Jeff. There is also Century Ford in Mt. Airy, Crouse Ford in Taneytown, Apple Ford in Columbia and Academy Ford in Laurel. DOOM and I have both been to Academy Ford before for service without any issues. I also used to work there , Derrick and Kevin in service are good guys.

Here is the info for Ridgeville if you want it.

Ridgeville Service Center
4 E Ridgville Blvd
S Main St
Mount Airy, MD 21771
Phone: 301-829-9240

[Agent M79]

The only good mechanic I know of off the top of my head is a guy named Jeff that works at Ridgeville Service/Gas Station in Mt. Airy.

That might be a winner. About 45-50m down the road. Not to far to go to get the right answers. Thanks!

[Black_Kannin]

The only good mechanic I know of off the top of my head is a guy named Jeff that works at Ridgeville Service/Gas Station in Mt. Airy. I haven't had him personally work on my car but my uncle owns the service station and a lot of people talk highly of Jeff. There is also Century Ford in Mt. Airy, Crouse Ford in Taneytown, Apple Ford in Columbia and Academy Ford in Laurel. DOOM and I have both been to Academy Ford before for service without any issues. I also used to work there , Derrick and Kevin in service are good guys.

Here is the info for Ridgeville if you want it.

Ridgeville Service Center
4 E Ridgville Blvd
S Main St
Mount Airy, MD 21771
Phone: 301-829-9240




^^I second the vouch for Kevin at Academy Ford, DOOM put me on to him with my PCV valve problem.


DO NOT GOT TO "STEVE" AT BOB BELL FORD!!! WARNING: He's a BAMMA CLOWN Type!!

WE MISS YOU TOM.......BBF is not the same now that you're gone!!!

[Agent M79]

Any have any experience with service on their Marauder at Len Stoler Ford in Owings Mills?

[martyo]

Aren't you close to Chris Vinings?

[Agent M79]

Aren't you close to Chris Vinings?

Yeah, but he is my neighbor's kid and he is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. I sometimes toss his ball back to him over the fence or laugh at poop jokes with him but I wouldn't call us particularly close.

But that's probably not the Chris Vining you meant.

[martyo]

Yeah, but he is my neighbor's kid and he is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. I sometimes toss his ball back to him over the fence or laugh at poop jokes with him but I wouldn't call us particularly close.

But that's probably not the Chris Vining you meant.

Who are you again?

[Agent M79]

Who are you again?

Heh. As soon as my therapist tells me, I'll let you know!


Until then... I am not sure who Chris Vining is so I don't know if he is nearby or not. I am about 20 minutes or so north of Baltimore.

[ctrlraven]

KOONS Ford in Woodlawn off Security Blvd, ask for Tom Metzger in service. Several CAMmers used to go to Bob Bell in Glen Burnie when he worked there and is 2ndMDrebel on here.

[Agent M79]

KOONS Ford in Woodlawn off Security Blvd, ask for Tom Metzger in service. Several CAMmers used to go to Bob Bell in Glen Burnie when he worked there and is 2ndMDrebel on here.

Thanks! Spoke to Tom last week and I am dropping it off tonight for service this week.

Can anyone think of any specific service items to check at 100,000 miles that may not be in the maintenance guides, would typically be overlooked, or just something out of the ordinary that would be prudent to check?

[Agent M79]

The vibration issue I described in the opening post has been figured out.

The issue was isolated to the exhaust system. Dampeners (essential weights as they were described to me) were placed.

No more vibration. Very smooth.