93 Explorer Timing Chain
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93 Explorer Timing Chain
SoS, need help. Have 93 Sport Explorer, 70K miles. Driving then it quit.
Shop believes timing chain needs replacement. 20 hours labor for a total of $1700.00.
Need opinions or help. Mercy! thanks
Shop believes timing chain needs replacement. 20 hours labor for a total of $1700.00.
Need opinions or help. Mercy! thanks
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
93 Explorer Timing Chain
Hi rosebud and welcome to FTE 
Wow! 20 hours to do a timing chain? Boy I wish i could charge that. The Ford flat rate which is usually low compared to normal flat rate manuals says it is under 4 hours to replce the timing chain. A normal retail book would probably say 7ish hours I would guess.
I've never done a timing chain in an older Explorer because they usually dont have any problems with them. I suppose it's possible but it doesnt seem likely, especially with only 70K on it.
Wow! 20 hours to do a timing chain? Boy I wish i could charge that. The Ford flat rate which is usually low compared to normal flat rate manuals says it is under 4 hours to replce the timing chain. A normal retail book would probably say 7ish hours I would guess.
I've never done a timing chain in an older Explorer because they usually dont have any problems with them. I suppose it's possible but it doesnt seem likely, especially with only 70K on it.
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93 Explorer Timing Chain
Shop is not positive it is the timing chain, but they suspect so. I think 20 hours is outrageous but I have no intelligence to dispute this. They have 3 hours into it already and then quit because my inital $300 ran out. I don't understand all the labor.
We've owned the car since 5/23/03/ CARFAX was clear and perfect and actual miles noted. Any suggestions. We are in Washington State. rosebud
We've owned the car since 5/23/03/ CARFAX was clear and perfect and actual miles noted. Any suggestions. We are in Washington State. rosebud
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
93 Explorer Timing Chain
I'd be inclined to take it to a Ford dealer. Yes I'm biased because I work at a dealer but we know Fords better than non-Ford garages, have the equipment and tools and training to work on them. And yes our labor rate is probably higher than an independent type garage but if they want to charge 20 hours to fix something that should only take say 10 hours because they arent sure what the problem is then that isnt a good deal either.
After saying all that I sure hope it wasnt a dealer that was looking at it already
After saying all that I sure hope it wasnt a dealer that was looking at it already
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93 Explorer Timing Chain
No dealer, at a "Car Care Center". What is with these estimating guides anyway. Why should I pay for inefficiency? I don't believe these guys work 60 minutes for each hour. They work on multiple cars and charge fully. Just like lawyers. double triple quad billing, am I correct?
No wonder auto shops have bad reputation. Maybe we tow to Ford Dealership in Bremerton WA.
Where are you? Thank you rosebud
No wonder auto shops have bad reputation. Maybe we tow to Ford Dealership in Bremerton WA.
Where are you? Thank you rosebud
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: southeast,usa
93 Explorer Timing Chain
At 70k it shouldn't be a timing chain problem. There is, however a small device located at the crankshaft pully called a "crankshaft position sensor". If faulty it will screw with the timing and ability to run. It tells the computer the engine speed, among other things. If I was you I'd get your explorer out of the "Car Care Center" as quick as I could locate a towing service! There are a number of things that could be wrong that aren't serious problems.....take it to someplace that "knows" Fords. I think that for 300 smackersyour local Ford garage could have correctly diagnosed and fixed the problem by now. Do all the guys at the " Car Care Center" wear gold chains? Best of luck.........
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
93 Explorer Timing Chain
The estimating guides or flat rate manuals are industry standards and what most repair shops charge by. Usually it is quite fair. If the book says the job takes 4 hours they charge you 4 hours even if it takes 6 hours or if it takes 3 hours. Of course that can change due to running into unforseen problems such as a broken bolt etc. Without the manual when you would ask for a quote on a job it would be just a wild guess. At least with the flat rate manual there is a guideline. You are right though, you shouldnt pay for inefficiency and that is where the flat rate manual comes into play...hopefully.
A tech should only be working on 1 car at a time. That is something that Ford watched quite closely on warranty repairs. Sometimes it can happen if for instance a tech is resurfacing brake rotors. He could stand there and watch them for 30 minutes or he could be doing something else that would be productive. The flat rate manuals says what each job pays though so no one is getting hosed...they should be paying the same amount whether the tech stays on one job for the duration or not.
I'm in Terrace, BC. About ummm 700 miles straight north of you.....a wee bit far to have your Explorer towed here
And that's a good point about the CKP Mike. Wouldn't be the first one that caused this problem.
A tech should only be working on 1 car at a time. That is something that Ford watched quite closely on warranty repairs. Sometimes it can happen if for instance a tech is resurfacing brake rotors. He could stand there and watch them for 30 minutes or he could be doing something else that would be productive. The flat rate manuals says what each job pays though so no one is getting hosed...they should be paying the same amount whether the tech stays on one job for the duration or not.
I'm in Terrace, BC. About ummm 700 miles straight north of you.....a wee bit far to have your Explorer towed here
And that's a good point about the CKP Mike. Wouldn't be the first one that caused this problem.
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93 Explorer Timing Chain
Hi thanks to all for the info.
By the way, I knew a mechanic while back who owned a shop. He told me he charged people on their ability to pay. He would charge off some repairs from the pitiful and give those charges to the able-to-pay. Kinda like a Robin Hood.
I have had no good experiences with repair shops. Once I needed a thermostat but was told I needed a new radiator. They were stalling for time & money. When challenged they "fessed up" that they weren't sure it really needed a new radiator but didn't want the liability and I was going to pay for their risk. The cost was $20.00 not $800 to repair. Very unprofessional.
I will have the explorer towed to Parr Ford. If interested I'll report back. Thank you again, rosebud
By the way, I knew a mechanic while back who owned a shop. He told me he charged people on their ability to pay. He would charge off some repairs from the pitiful and give those charges to the able-to-pay. Kinda like a Robin Hood.
I have had no good experiences with repair shops. Once I needed a thermostat but was told I needed a new radiator. They were stalling for time & money. When challenged they "fessed up" that they weren't sure it really needed a new radiator but didn't want the liability and I was going to pay for their risk. The cost was $20.00 not $800 to repair. Very unprofessional.
I will have the explorer towed to Parr Ford. If interested I'll report back. Thank you again, rosebud
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