I have an '06 Eddie Bauer edition with 165,000 miles. I have just been told by a Ford dealership that I probably need a new engine (about $7,000). I'm getting a 2nd opinion tomorrow from another, non-Ford mechanic.

My thinking is, I will have a new (remanufactured) engine, so 0 miles on it, a warranty, and years more service. On the other hand, the vehicle still has a tranny and drive train with 165K miles on it.

So, my quandary. Do I pay $7K for repairs for an otherwise mechanically sound vehicle, or go $25K in debt for another used vehicle? (I won't buy new) Also, the dealer says the engine replacement is a worst-case scenario - once they tear the engine apart they'll know more about what repairs it actually needs, but they said I should prepare for the worst.

I've read a little about issues with the '06 5.4l engine. Some people recommend installing a different engine when a replacement becomes necessary.

My intention has always been to keep this vehicle as long as possible, but I never factored in an engine replacement.

Mechanically it's been a good vehicle with few problems and I'm **** about preventive maintenance. Last week I had the alternator and serpentine belt replaced at another Ford dealer. The alternator failed on me 200 miles from home and they advised replacing the belt at that time due to wear. I also have nearly $900 in new tires on it. Cosmetically it has mild hail damage and the famous tailgate corrosion started showing up last year.

So..... your thoughts?

 

Check it out and see if you can find a cheaper reman. If you must, do the $7k job. Pick a target date and mileage to dump it after that. (say a year or another 20k miles, something like that)


Serving suggestion....

 

I figure 7K would take at least 2 years and 20K miles to recoup the cost. 7K is about 1 1/2 years of car payments, vice the 5 years it would take to pay off a 25K used car loan. If it doesn't become a constant money pit I may not get rid of it. There's a lot of happy owners out there with considerably older Expeditions.

 

What is wrong with the motor? Why are they saying new motor? 165000 isn't that much for a 5.4. And it sounds like you have taken care of it.

 

My thoughts exactly. I find that many dealers say it needs a new motor when they don't have the skills to properly diagnose what's really wrong.

Absolutely positively get another opinion on what's wrong and on the cost to replace the motor.

 

How about low milage used from a wrecker. Shold be a lot cheaper.

We also have an 06 EB expedition. Getting close to 300K km on her now. I wouldn't give up on her yet.

 

A knocking noise the mechanic heard was enough to make him stop what he was doing. The dealer told me a few possibilities, including cam phazers and chain slap. A new engine would be a worst case scenario. A new engine was the last thing I ever expected to go wrong. Tranny? Maybe. Entire engine replacement? No.

 

Should I mention to other mechanics what the 1st Ford mechanic told me? It seems that I might be suggesting a high-profit conclusion for them that they will eagerly agree with. I think I might be better off just saying that I hear a new knocking noise and let them come to their own conclusions.

 

That's close to what I have now for mileage. I'm hoping to get 250K miles/400K km, and more. Just hoping it doesn't become a money pit.

 

Absolutely, that way you get an untainted opinion.

 

Definitely don't tell them what the other tech said. Let them come up with their own conclusion. New engine sounds pretty drastic....

BHP

 

After trips to 2 Ford dealerships and 2 other trusted mechanics they all say the same thing - my cam phasers are bad and I need a new engine. They also all say the same price - $7,000 plus or minus a couple hundred dollars.

The cam phasers can be replaced, but the cost to replace them (parts/labor) is not much less than to replace the entire engine. Replacing them means you may still have additional problems with the engine due to the bad cams, or from something else as yet unknown. With a new engine I will have a full 3 year warranty on it.

So tomorrow I drop off the Expy with a Ford dealer.

Thanks to everyone who gave me great advice here!