Issues

[Cpolinsky]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L SOHC engine 158K auto 2wd. I've owned the vehicle for a little over 2 years now. I have only had to replace the starter and soleniod and reg: oil changes (i've never touched anything else). However I started to notice the engine was getting warmer lately and my temp guage would go all over the place. so I checked my coolant and added some but needless to say i've had to add lots.

SO... I took it into the Ford dealership (i'm new to the area and i'm still looking for a good mechanic) and was told that I need a new intake manifold gasket and they wanted to charge me 600+ (Pluse they said I should replace the thermostate, waterpump, hoses, radiator etc) MIND you there is nothing else wrong with it I just assumed ford was just trying to get more money of out me so I called around and found a guy who will look at it and hopefully do it between 250-300 YEAH. But here is my problem.

I need to get new tires, and brakes but everything else works great on it i just dont' know what to do. I know i'm going to get the gasket fixed but I didn't see any leaks in the radiator or on the ground or anything else they were talking about. So I know thats not the case they just wanted $. I just don't know if I should:

1. KEEP IT OR SELL IT?
2 What do you think it would be worth AS is (after gasket fixed not with new tires and brakes)?

Thank you so much sorry to dump this on this is my first post (i just found this site a few minutes ago).

Chris

 

[bisjoe]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L SOHC engine 158K auto 2wd. I

1. KEEP IT OR SELL IT?
2 What do you think it would be worth AS is (after gasket fixed not with new tires and brakes)?

Thank you so much sorry to dump this on this is my first post (i just found this site a few minutes ago).

Chris

If the trans is original I'd sell it, you have been lucky to have it last that long and that's an expensive rebuild. If it's been rebuilt then figure out what you can get to replace it, and monthly payments vs. a $500-600 for the tires and brakes.

I traded in a 4wd XLT 4.0 SOHC auto with 118k miles and new tires, perfect otherwise, and they gave me $2,800, later they had it on the lot for $4,500.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome chris

 

[Cpolinsky]

So I hope to get my exloper back today. However funny thing things changed.
I was quoted at the FORD Dealership that I needed a new intake manifold gasket 600+, radiator, hoses, thermostate etc everything. So I found a mechanic and he called me back today and said he checked the gasket and found no drips no leaks nothing. the leak he did find was from the thermostate housing so I need a new housing, gasket and thermostat roughly 200.00. Just the ford dealership sucks. It's frustrating because since i'm new to the area up till now (well see how the work is) i lost my mechanic when I moved who was awesome so i had to take into the dealership so thankfully i called around and found a great local to tell me about this mechanic. so unlessly he's bad he's my new mechanic. I also have a 1984 Jeep CJ7 that i'm putting back together so if i need help he's the one. Thanks for the advice.

However should I still try to sell it before new brakes and tires (1000.00) blue book says it really doesn't make a difference with new brakes and tires it doesn't really affect the price. What do you guys think?

Thanks chris

 

[marragtop]

If the truck is running OK now, then do the brakes and tires. That's part of normal maintenance and if you buy something used, you'll need to do that eventually. Also, usually when an intake gasket is bad, the engine runs poorly. The 2nd mechanic sounds like he knew what is doing. Get a quote from him on the brakes and tell not to go overboard (don't replace the rotors unless absolutely necessary).