Engine is dead, what to do?
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Engine is dead, what to do?
So I say RIP to my beloved 2004 5.4L V8 engine today. What started as a gentle tremor late last week was indicative of a heart attack causing arterial clog that fried my engine before I could even get it to the mechanic. I believe his technical term was "gunk in the engine". Great. I guess I will be the one doing the oil changes from now on as he thinks the wrong oil may have been used in the past, causing the build up.
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
So I say RIP to my beloved 2004 5.4L V8 engine today. What started as a gentle tremor late last week was indicative of a heart attack causing arterial clog that fried my engine before I could even get it to the mechanic. I believe his technical term was "gunk in the engine". Great. I guess I will be the one doing the oil changes from now on as he thinks the wrong oil may have been used in the past, causing the build up.
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
Then, change the oil yourself.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,565
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How about a remanufactured engine? It would really help if you could do the engine swap yourself. There is a lot of labor to swapping an engine in these trucks. If you just want to get by for a year or so, you could go with the used engine if it's from a reputable source and comes with some form of warranty. Otherwise, I'd go remanufactured or new.
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Jon,
I wish I had an answer. I'm still finding it hard to believe.
I know the national chain I've used puts the 5W30 in it, but I've never looked closer than the weight to see whether it's synthetic or not. Idiot that I am, I've been assuming they're using mfgr recommened oil.
Come to think of it, unless I stand by the truck while they fill it, how do I know WHAT they've been putting in it.
Sigh.
I wish I had an answer. I'm still finding it hard to believe.
I know the national chain I've used puts the 5W30 in it, but I've never looked closer than the weight to see whether it's synthetic or not. Idiot that I am, I've been assuming they're using mfgr recommened oil.
Come to think of it, unless I stand by the truck while they fill it, how do I know WHAT they've been putting in it.
Sigh.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
Labor should be $500-700
the motor itself should be anywhere from $2,000-3,000 used
$4,900 is the going price for a remanufactured motor. I think you need to call around and get a better mechanic/shop.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
How many miles are on it?
I see what ChargersFaininCO is saying, but I disagree. A dealer will not be interested in an out of warranty trade with a blown engine, when it'll likely cost nearly as much to fix as they would get selling it.
How much is it worth according to KBB? If it's worth more than the cost of a replacement engine, I'd slap a new motor in it and run it until the wheels fall off.
I see what ChargersFaininCO is saying, but I disagree. A dealer will not be interested in an out of warranty trade with a blown engine, when it'll likely cost nearly as much to fix as they would get selling it.
How much is it worth according to KBB? If it's worth more than the cost of a replacement engine, I'd slap a new motor in it and run it until the wheels fall off.
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75k miles. NADA lists it at about 13k in value. Was thinking of "running it until the wheels fell off".
What's the better deal? A used engine w/ 60k on it or new? What else should I be worried about failing in the 75k-150k mileage range?
What's the better deal? A used engine w/ 60k on it or new? What else should I be worried about failing in the 75k-150k mileage range?
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So I say RIP to my beloved 2004 5.4L V8 engine today. What started as a gentle tremor late last week was indicative of a heart attack causing arterial clog that fried my engine before I could even get it to the mechanic. I believe his technical term was "gunk in the engine". Great. I guess I will be the one doing the oil changes from now on as he thinks the wrong oil may have been used in the past, causing the build up.
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
So....what now? With 3000 still owed on the vehicle, a used engine with 60k miles costing $4900 installed and a new Ford engine at $7500, what would you do?
Buy new? Buy new used? Try to sell the body? Buy the used engine? Buy the new engine?
Buy a Dodge?
I use this truck to haul a two horse trailer about once a month, haul construction materials often, and for general purpose to and from work. Less than 15k a year.
Help??
did you really say buy a dodge? for shame!!! at least pick a truck wroth a damn. get a toyota. outside of being *** ugly they are sweeeeet
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 866
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From: Michigan
Hopefully you are close to detroit but here is the listing for the motor http://detroit.craigslist.org/pts/1204259391.html
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
I wasn't saying to point blame but rather to try and determine if the existing engine could be rebuilt.
If the mechanic is diagnosing and giving the prices for replacement well...it just sounds fishy, that's all.
If the mechanic is diagnosing and giving the prices for replacement well...it just sounds fishy, that's all.
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North Carolina. Thanks for the tip, I'll check CL and look to ship.
I'll call the mechanic again today and see if I can zeroe in on the diagnosis a little better. I was in SHOCK yesterday. He did seem to indicate sludge or not oiling as the cause but I'll check.
I've been pointing the finger at myself all evening. But seriously, been changing the oil ever 5k since I bought the thing new, give or take a couple hundred miles.
I'll call the mechanic again today and see if I can zeroe in on the diagnosis a little better. I was in SHOCK yesterday. He did seem to indicate sludge or not oiling as the cause but I'll check.
I've been pointing the finger at myself all evening. But seriously, been changing the oil ever 5k since I bought the thing new, give or take a couple hundred miles.