Cut Losses??

[jarleo]

I have a 2000 Explorer Eddie Bauer with a V8 and about 82K miles. It's in good condition, no rust or dents, good shiny paint. I bought the truck 4 years ago and have been very diligent about maintenance. I've replaced all the usual suspects, ball joints (upper and lower) breaks (front and rear), rear shocks and shackles, tires, roof glass, etc., all done by the local dealer. I just learned the truck needs an exhaust manifold, the dealer said about $1,000. I like the truck but I'm beginning to feel enough is enough. I don't do any of the work myself so I'm at the mercy of the dealer, or my local mechanic who does a good job but is never as good as the dealer. Do I try to sell it, cut my losses and move on, or do I continue to have the repairs made? I have no idea what it's worth, any ideas? Thanks!

 

[94Eddie]

If you are taking it to a Ford dealer then you might want to shop around for other prices from small repair shops. I rarely have work done at the Ford dealer because they usually give high repair estimates compared to smaller shops. IMO, the repair is worth doing if the truck is in excellent condition. The second generation V-8 Explorer or the most reliable ones Ford made so you likely won't get one that will be easier on your wallet regarding repair costs. What is exactly wrong with the exhaust manifold? Is it cracked? Does it have a gasket leak? I don't see an exhaust manifold replacement being a $1,000 repair but maybe I am wrong. I would grab a used one from a junk yard and take to it a small shop and have them do it.

 

[TowingExplorer]

I would guess the exhaust manifold studs snapped (some of them anyway) so extracting the old studs is going to add to the cost.

$1k is high from what I've heard, but $600 from a non-dealer is probably reasonable.

 

[jarleo]

Thanks TowingExplorer and 94Eddie. I'm going to call my local mechanic today, he's usually less expensive than the dealership. The dealer didn't say anything about a crack, he did say at least one stud is snapped and if other studs are snapped it will increase the cost.

I have another question. The throttle body is sticking, is there a DIY fix available or does the part have to be replaced?

Thanks for helping

 

[LONO100]

in any vehicle you buy, you are going to come across problems here and there and some might be more costly than others. what other vehicle did you have in mind if you were to get rid of your X? it might be worth it to try to learn to to do some of the work yourself. some of my friends think that im some sort of wannabe gearhead but im not exactly building hot rods and other cool rides. im usually just turning the wrenches myself because i dont want to pay someone else to do something that i can probably do with a little determination and a lot of patience. im not the most mechanically inclined guy in the world, but the forum is a great place for knowledge, and the internet in general can be a great help. if you have the space/tools or if you have a friend or family member that has the space/tools i would suggest learning how to do it yourself, you might find that you enjoy it. im not saying jump into the world of DIYing by replacing an intake manifold, but some of the other things like brakes and belts are a good place to start and can save you a ton of cash. i remember when i was real young shelling out 400 bucks for a brake job, and then learning how to do it myself and thinking about how i used to pay hundreds of dollars for something so damn simple. i know i get a sense of satisfaction whenever i can buy a set of gaskets for 20 bucks, and replace them myself instead of paying a guy for some gaskets and then 5 hours of labor.

just a thought for the long term, but if you dont have the space or tools or dont know anyone who can help you, i would also suggest finding a cheaper estimate than 1000 for the job.

before you try replacing your throttle body, check the cable to make sure it isnt being impeded in any way. good luck!

 

[TowingExplorer]

Thanks TowingExplorer and 94Eddie. I'm going to call my local mechanic today, he's usually less expensive than the dealership. The dealer didn't say anything about a crack, he did say at least one stud is snapped and if other studs are snapped it will increase the cost.

I have another question. The throttle body is sticking, is there a DIY fix available or does the part have to be replaced?

Thanks for helping

Sorry for the late follow-up response on this. I would insist that the mechanic, while the manifold was removed, replaced all the studs. Should any of the studs break while replacing non-broken ones, they weren't far from breaking so you might as well get it done then.