New excitement turned nightmare...

[moogvo]

So I bought an '01 Sport last week. It is clean as a pin and only has 131k on the clock. I went outside this morning (first day near freezing) and it sounded a little like a diesel and the check engine light came on with a P0301... Misfire cylinder 1. It would seem that the timing chain tensioners have started giving trouble.

I have owned this thing for 3 days! NOW it is looking like a $2400.00 repair. Nice. I am new to the Explorer world... I am starting to think that I won't stay long...

So my options are as follows:

Slap it on Craigslist and try to get my money back (The wife is STRONGLY opposed to that. It is dishonest... Somehow, I figure that I bought it dishonestly and to pass it along in kind is just as acceptable... Actually, I know that she is right.)

Take it to a lot and trade it in for something else. I will not get my money out of it that way, but I think there is a rule that it is okay to screw a car dealer if necessary...

Pay out to fix it and have more in it than it is worth.

I like it, but if I had known that I would be into this thing for over 6k, I would have bought a sport trac.

 

[Dono]

There are a bunch of SOHC swaps going on using newer mustang 4.0 sohc motors. This is way less expensive than the tensioner fix, and is a permanent fix as the new mustang motors are a redesign without the tensioner issues.

 

[yavapaires]

What would be the difference between a Sport and a Sport Trac, Aren't they both based on the Explorer?

 

[Dono]

Sport Trac is the pickup truck bed version.

 

[drdoom]

I know that empirical evidence supports your timing chain diagnosis to some degree, but I had a valve stick open once. It caused a misfire, threw a code, and sounded like a diesel. I fixed it 20,000 miles ago, all I needed was some old RTV that was in the shop, and some JB Weld to seal the cracked valve cover. Is it just rattling, or is it knocking like a diesel? Is the compression good on CYLINDER 1?
I'm not trying to lead you astray, just trying to expand the discussion a bit.
Hope you get her fixed.

 

[97expV8]

Drop a Hemi in it..paint it orange and make the Duke's proud!....ok just kidding.

I would start by doing what drdoom said...run a compression test. If it passes then double-check ignition system before assuming timing has jumped.
If it fails and timing chain really is the issue you may want to do what I did during one of those lapses when I didn't buy american-made....I contacted the local high school auto shop teacher and offered my car as a project vehicle. They accepted and I only had to pay like 300 bucks parts for a valve job and head gasket replacement (mechanic quoted me 950). It did take them 3 weeks though. Just an idea. Good luck.

 

[moogvo]

I called two dealerships yesterday. One estimated $2500.00 while the other one said $3500. I ended up dropping it of to a shop that deals ONLY with Fords. He is not convinced that the timing chain guides are the culprit. We shall see what he thinks.

I like the idea about the Mustang engine... Would I have to change the computer as well?

 

[2000StreetRod]

Engine swap 98 sohc with 05 Mustang motor

Engine swap 98 sohc with 05 Mustang motor

Just so you'll know, the 2005 thru 2010 Mustang engine still uses the same timing chain configuration. The timing chain guides and tensioners are the improved ones that came in the 2002 and later Explorers.

 

[firepop5]

I would definitely check ignition system first. I had a misfire code and it was just a bad spark plug wire. New plugs and wires might be all you need.

 

[Dono]

Just so you'll know, the 2005 thru 2010 Mustang engine still uses the same timing chain configuration. The timing chain guides and tensioners are the improved ones that came in the 2002 and later Explorers.

Wow. I can't believe they stuck with that configuration. Thanks for the correction.

 

[moogvo]

Well... I talked to the guy at the shop today and he told me that it looks like the last owner tried everything to fix it... New plugs, wires, coils, etc. he found low compression on two cylinders on the same bank. He thinks it may be a case of broken valve springs, but until the valve cover comes off tomorrow, there is no way to know. Hopefully that is all he will find... I miss the X, and want it back! Amazing that I got that attached in just 3 days! In spite of this and all that my Chevy friends preach, I think I am becoming somewhat of a "Blue Oval" guy... I have been a Chevy guy for over 25 years.

 

[97expV8]

if its two side by side cylinders it could also be a head gasket...did your mechanic say which ones they were? Any white smoke/steam or dripping coming out tailpipe?

 

[gadourym]

I wouldn't think it would cost $3000 to fix it. My 2000 is currently at the shop getting a whole new engine for $2200! I blew the head gasket, among other things, so it was actually cheaper to replace the engine than to repair the damage. I haven't had the truck for about a month and a half, and I really miss it!

 

[yavapaires]

Sport Trac is the pickup truck bed version.

Yep, I knew that, my point being, they are both the same vehicle, so what would he gain, other than a different vehicle, maybe with the same problem. I am glad mine is the 4.0 OHV, seems like a Hell of a lot LESS problems.

 

[moogvo]

Yep, I knew that, my point being, they are both the same vehicle, so what would he gain, other than a different vehicle, maybe with the same problem. I am glad mine is the 4.0 OHV, seems like a Hell of a lot LESS problems.

Yes. you are right. they are the same vehicle with the same engine, but it would be nice to have a useful pick up bed (albeit very small). I would MUCH rather put the money into that as opposed to a 4x4 car (basically). I was going to buy a beater truck to use when I needed a truck, but now that I have this repair coming down the pipe, I won't be able to get that beater truck for quite a while.

I sure wish I knew where to get a new engine installed for 2200. I would be on that like a new shirt!

haven't heard from the guy this morning... I guess it won't be done today... I got my new piece of vinyl for the console lid today, but I cancelled my order for the bull bar and step tubes for now.

I HATE WAITING! (almost as much as I hate driving my wife's Prius... and NO, it isn't blue!)

 

[moogvo]

Just got a call from the guy at the shop... Blown head gasket.

At this point, I will probably drive it until it blows up and then scrap it. I can't see spending more for an engine than the whole car is worth... unless I can find a reasonably priced used engine.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Blown head gasket & not ready to tear down -- stick a bottle of bars leaks or other head gasket sealer through it. It's a temporary bandaid but usually works pretty good for up to a year and doesnt really make a rebuild any more of a hassle.

 

[moogvo]

I'd rather fix it right. I drive Long distances and need it to be reliable. Besides... I have torn engines down that were full of stop leak. That stuff makes a MESS!

 

[Red Delta]

I suppose it's a balance of what you would lose by getting rid of it or having it repaired and deciding on how long it would take for you to get the money back out of it as a daily driver.

I like to look at a monthly payment of a reasonably priced vehicle that is in reasonable shape. Actual value is meaningless, it's about the value to you.

 

[moogvo]

You are right. If this vehicle was not otherwise SUPER clean, I wouldn't even consider spending this much on it. This thing is cleaner than my Aztek was with 20k miles on it. The ONLY blemish on the inside is the center console lid cover, and I have already got the vinyl replacement cover for it. Otherwise, there is virtually ZERO wear. This will be almost like having a brand new car when it is all said and done. Regardless, I am STILL livid with the car dealership... But then again, I did have the opportunity to use my block tester and scan tool on it before buying it, so I have to accept at least half of the responsibility for buying in this condition.

I am still amazed that it has a blown head gasket, considering how well it runs and how great the condition of the vehicle is... I was fooled and I am no automotive idiot... Although I do have to admit being somewhat of a an impulse buyer.