carcassanova
New Member
- Joined
- November 10, 2023
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- Gates, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2005, XLT, V8-4.6L, 4x4
DROVE my truck to AMMCO because I believed I needed transmission work, because it was shifting hard, and bucking & skipping when I tried to back up... I had a 98 Explorer that did that and the reverse band went, so I had it rebuilt... anyways, prior to this issue had to replace: all plugs, coils, injectors, MAFS, EGR valve, O2 sensors, and 2 fuel injector connectors were spliced on that came from an 06... the codes it threw were prior to changing the O2 sensors. AMMCO went to take my truck for a test drive afterwards (I had 1/4 tank went I parked it in their lot), but they ran out of gas and had to push it back. (I suspect someone syphoned the gas over night)... still they should have checked the gauge as it has a low gas warning light! I digress, but I believe the running the vehicle on fumes pushed all the gunk out of the bottom of my tank and into my fuel filter and maybe clogged my CAT & muffler. They told me that I needed to replace the CAT and muffler and that the truck won't even start now. It started once, then stalled and won't start and that I need to tow it somewhere else to do the repair... So, I am trying to figure out if they caused this problem by running it on empty, when it wasn't doing any of this prior to dropping it off. I freaking drove it there. Now it won't start or if it does start, it stalls. My question is this: should I change the fuel filter & put a CAT cleaner in the gas tank and try to start it again... if it will start and drive, is it fixed or is this temporary and I will still have to replace the CAT and possibly the muffler?
I bought the truck 9 months ago with 200K (+) miles on it, because the under carriage was very clean... almost no rust at all & the guy claimed he fixes and maintains his own vehicles... he had an old cherry red hot rod in the garage, so I believed him. My wife said don't be so naive, he spends all his time on the hot rod and this vehicle only gets attention if it breaks down... like a house builder never remodels or repairs his own home, because he is busy building or renovating other peoples homes... she was right. On the drive home 100+ miles the alternator went and we had to limp all the way to the closest Auto Zone which was 50 miles away... she said I was driving like Mr. Toad when he gets that car from the crooks in the bar... again, she was right, and it was I suppose amusing if I wasn't so worried about being stranded in the backwoods of VA on my way to the Parts store... we were able to charge it at one Auto Zone, to get us to the next place, because they didn't have my alternator in stock... anyways... I have since replaced ALL the wheel bearing hub assemblies, both headlights, the plastic strip on the rear door that was cracked, the rear door handle mechanism, 4 new tires, 4 new slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads, calipers, & tire sensors, the alternator, a battery, the rear differential was dry so I took care of that, the transfercase fluid was changed, all the O2 sensors, MAFS, EGR valve, 2 fuel injectors, all the spark plugs and coil packs, and 2 fuel injector connectors, a window motor in the rear, engine oil & filter changes as needed, and AMMCO added 2 qts of transmission fluid to my tranny because it was low... (they don't change tranny fluid on vehicles with high miles because it causes more problems)... it is my wifes opinion that as long as the tranny or engine doesn't quit on us if we replace the CAT and muffler that we have already replaced all the items that normally get replaced by now and it should go another 100K as long as we take care of it... I JUST HAVE TO GET IT ROLLING AGAIN!!! AMMCO did assure me that the tranny was actually fine and the CAT and muffler will cost way less than a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement. So... is it worth replacing the CAT & muffler? or should I just tow it home, replace the fuel filter, add CAT cleaner and see if it starts and drives? or should I suck it up, tow it to the closes Muffler shop and invest another $1500+ in the vehicle? Purchased for $4500, put all those new parts in... should I throw in the towel or keep it running? Reluctant to buy another vehicle since I can't afford a new car yet, and will be buying another used vehicle to replace it. She wants to replace the CAT & muffler & fuel filter... she's probably right. I suppose. Any suggestions???
I bought the truck 9 months ago with 200K (+) miles on it, because the under carriage was very clean... almost no rust at all & the guy claimed he fixes and maintains his own vehicles... he had an old cherry red hot rod in the garage, so I believed him. My wife said don't be so naive, he spends all his time on the hot rod and this vehicle only gets attention if it breaks down... like a house builder never remodels or repairs his own home, because he is busy building or renovating other peoples homes... she was right. On the drive home 100+ miles the alternator went and we had to limp all the way to the closest Auto Zone which was 50 miles away... she said I was driving like Mr. Toad when he gets that car from the crooks in the bar... again, she was right, and it was I suppose amusing if I wasn't so worried about being stranded in the backwoods of VA on my way to the Parts store... we were able to charge it at one Auto Zone, to get us to the next place, because they didn't have my alternator in stock... anyways... I have since replaced ALL the wheel bearing hub assemblies, both headlights, the plastic strip on the rear door that was cracked, the rear door handle mechanism, 4 new tires, 4 new slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads, calipers, & tire sensors, the alternator, a battery, the rear differential was dry so I took care of that, the transfercase fluid was changed, all the O2 sensors, MAFS, EGR valve, 2 fuel injectors, all the spark plugs and coil packs, and 2 fuel injector connectors, a window motor in the rear, engine oil & filter changes as needed, and AMMCO added 2 qts of transmission fluid to my tranny because it was low... (they don't change tranny fluid on vehicles with high miles because it causes more problems)... it is my wifes opinion that as long as the tranny or engine doesn't quit on us if we replace the CAT and muffler that we have already replaced all the items that normally get replaced by now and it should go another 100K as long as we take care of it... I JUST HAVE TO GET IT ROLLING AGAIN!!! AMMCO did assure me that the tranny was actually fine and the CAT and muffler will cost way less than a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement. So... is it worth replacing the CAT & muffler? or should I just tow it home, replace the fuel filter, add CAT cleaner and see if it starts and drives? or should I suck it up, tow it to the closes Muffler shop and invest another $1500+ in the vehicle? Purchased for $4500, put all those new parts in... should I throw in the towel or keep it running? Reluctant to buy another vehicle since I can't afford a new car yet, and will be buying another used vehicle to replace it. She wants to replace the CAT & muffler & fuel filter... she's probably right. I suppose. Any suggestions???
