2008 Explorer Engine Replacement

[Harrison2xpl]

Hello everyone.
I have a 2008 Explorer that has been with me since about 2013 now. Around 2016, I have it to my daughter to drive and she’s been driving it since.
Well, last week the car started making ticking noises apparently, and so we got it into a mechanic to check out what’s been going on. Apparently a valve has a hole in it and it’s going to need a new engine. According to my daughter, the change oil light had never turned on and that’s what she’s relied on to get the oil changed. I was told it’ll be anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 to replace. My issue is that with the car being that old, and with as many miles it has on it, I don’t know if it’ll be worth to replace the engine. We may need to just get a new car but my daughter loves that car and is heart broken about it. Does anyone know of any alternative cheap options or methods we could use to preserve the car instead?

 

[07LTDDSM]

I just replaced the engine in my 07 Sport Trac with that of an 08 Explorer. I recommend finding a salvage yard motor, one with a warranty if you can find it. These 4.6 engines are a dime a dozen.

If you're interested my chain broke and the piston hit the valves and gouged out the cylinder walls. I believe the engine was burning oil and that led to the wear of the plastic timing chain guides.

 

[94Eddie]

Hello everyone.
I have a 2008 Explorer that has been with me since about 2013 now. Around 2016, I have it to my daughter to drive and she’s been driving it since.
Well, last week the car started making ticking noises apparently, and so we got it into a mechanic to check out what’s been going on. Apparently a valve has a hole in it and it’s going to need a new engine. According to my daughter, the change oil light had never turned on and that’s what she’s relied on to get the oil changed. I was told it’ll be anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 to replace. My issue is that with the car being that old, and with as many miles it has on it, I don’t know if it’ll be worth to replace the engine. We may need to just get a new car but my daughter loves that car and is heart broken about it. Does anyone know of any alternative cheap options or methods we could use to preserve the car instead?

It would help to know what engine is in it and the miles on the vehicle. The first thing I would check for is excessive rust. If it exists then I would not put a substantial amount of money into it. If it has the V6 then these engines are know to fail eventually due to timing chain guide issues. This is likely what happened. The other thing that comes with the V6 is the 5R55 five speed transmission. It is also known to fail as it is a poor design. You could spend $4k-$6k on an engine and then in a week, month or year have a transmission failure that will cost another $3k-$4k to repair. This is why I wouldn't put any more money into it if it is a V6 model. I would take the repair money to replace the engine and put it toward another vehicle that would be more reliable, get better gas mileage etc.

If it is a V8 model then I would be more inclined to replace the engine since the 6R60/6R80 transmissions in these are more reliable. The V8 models are also more valuable and worth keeping on the road, IMO. That is unless it has excessive rust. You can't fix excessive rust issues and this will total the vehicle eventually no matter how good of condition the vehicle might be in otherwise.

 

[Bazz270]

I just replaced the engine in my 07 Sport Trac with that of an 08 Explorer. I recommend finding a salvage yard motor, one with a warranty if you can find it. These 4.6 engines are a dime a dozen.

If you're interested my chain broke and the piston hit the valves and gouged out the cylinder walls. I believe the engine was burning oil and that led to the wear of the plastic timing chain guides.

Timing chains,guides and other timing related parts arent a lifetime parts.

Most common V8 timing malfunctions are leaked timing tensioners and the VVTs issues (supposed to be changed too)

You supposed to replace this timing kit before it brokes nor the whole engine lol....

 

[Dsc]

Hello everyone.
I have a 2008 Explorer that has been with me since about 2013 now. Around 2016, I have it to my daughter to drive and she’s been driving it since.
Well, last week the car started making ticking noises apparently, and so we got it into a mechanic to check out what’s been going on. Apparently a valve has a hole in it and it’s going to need a new engine. According to my daughter, the change oil light had never turned on and that’s what she’s relied on to get the oil changed. I was told it’ll be anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 to replace. My issue is that with the car being that old, and with as many miles it has on it, I don’t know if it’ll be worth to replace the engine. We may need to just get a new car but my daughter loves that car and is heart broken about it. Does anyone know of any alternative cheap options or methods we could use to preserve the car instead?

My two cents is to scrap it and move on. When the repairs exceed the value of the vehicle it doesn't make sense, unless you have a good reason to repair. Some people it is their only transportation and don't think there is a option.
Paying a shop to do an engine replacement is one thing but you might find all sorts of gremlins afterwards from disturbed wiring, components which don't last when the strain of new components are added.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You could find a better vehicle for the money, especially if it’s the 4.0. If you spend that on a 4.0 I’d start saving for the trans rebuild it’s going to need next.