OMG....will this get better???

[kanzaman]

New to the Forums and just purchased a 2002 Mountaineer, 4.6 V-8, AWD, to pull my Javelin 18' Fish and Ski boat. I have had nothing but trouble so far.

2 weeks ago, passenger power seat stops in "all the way forward" position. Took it to Ford, said I had to buy a new seat. $750.00 installed.

This week, noticed increasing resistance when making sharper turns. Took it to Mercury. Need new transfer case. $1,712.00. The said they didn't know if the transfer case ruined the tires, or the tires ruined the transfer case. Need new tires. Four new B.F. Goodrich tires, alignment, stems, etc. $636.00.

So, I figure with 82,000 miles, I might as well have them change the tranny fluid...$120.95 and put in new spark plugs...$150.00.

Then I get a call, saying the stud on the exhaust header, manifold, whatever, broke off when they removed the tail pipe to put on the transfer case. Said they'll fix it for 10% over their cost of parts and labor...another $350.00 for an OEM part.

Now I realize some of this expense was my choice, and I would have had to put tires on whatever I was driving, but do these things just put you in the poorhouse as an owner.

I'm seriously thinking of putting it back on the market, trying to recoup as much money as possible and buying a Toyota or other import. This has been a really bad couple of weeks for me.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tbars4]

...first, welcome here...where are you located??? and you came to the right place to search for answers...
...btw, we don't call them dealerships, they are stealerships, lol...i wish you would have found this place sooner, it could have saved you a bunch...

 

[IAmTodd]

Check your rear springs as well. They're probably broke towards the top as well.

Our '02 was very troublesome as well. Little things went, the largest being the transmission at 33k miles(also the 4.6 4WD).

You've paid quite a bit, I'd consider finding a good mechanic that is capable of working on it.

If your old tires were mix matched sizes or poorly rotated, the size difference will cook the AWD transfercase.

 

[Dopler174]

Welcome to Explorer Forum! I wouldn't pay for anything thing that the dealer broke or any mechanic for that matter. After all, THEY broke it.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Then I get a call, saying the stud on the exhaust header, manifold, whatever, broke off when they removed the tail pipe to put on the transfer case. Said they'll fix it for 10% over their cost of parts and labor...another $350.00 for an OEM part.

They broke it they should pay for it. I would refuse to pay. Call Ford's customer service & raise a stink.

 

[Tbars4]

...what they said times three...it sounds like they think they have a cash cow...

 

[Provokr]

New to the Forums and just purchased a 2002 Mountaineer, 4.6 V-8, AWD, to pull my Javelin 18' Fish and Ski boat. I have had nothing but trouble so far.

2 weeks ago, passenger power seat stops in "all the way forward" position. Took it to Ford, said I had to buy a new seat. $750.00 installed.

This week, noticed increasing resistance when making sharper turns. Took it to Mercury. Need new transfer case. $1,712.00. The said they didn't know if the transfer case ruined the tires, or the tires ruined the transfer case. Need new tires. Four new B.F. Goodrich tires, alignment, stems, etc. $636.00.

So, I figure with 82,000 miles, I might as well have them change the tranny fluid...$120.95 and put in new spark plugs...$150.00.

Then I get a call, saying the stud on the exhaust header, manifold, whatever, broke off when they removed the tail pipe to put on the transfer case. Said they'll fix it for 10% over their cost of parts and labor...another $350.00 for an OEM part.

Now I realize some of this expense was my choice, and I would have had to put tires on whatever I was driving, but do these things just put you in the poorhouse as an owner.

I'm seriously thinking of putting it back on the market, trying to recoup as much money as possible and buying a Toyota or other import. This has been a really bad couple of weeks for me.

Any thoughts?

So... did you get the seat replaced? If so, did they give you the old one back? I would be asking for the old transfer case too. That's YOUR stuff. Don't let them overhaul your stuff and charge someone else for a brand new part.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome to the EF forum and ditto, the dealership took advantage of you, they try that with everyone. You need to learn about your vehicles and what should be serviceable without major expense.

The vehicle is not at fault, the mechanic(s) and owner who is responsible for good maintenance is the cause. 90+% of all vehicle problems can be avoided or minimized by attentive proper maintenance. Buying a different vehicle and neglecting it will not improve things. If you have trouble with a used vehicle, don't blame the vehicle, blame the previous owner.

It sounds like you pay close attention to your vehicle and do what is or might be needed. Stick around here and read about various things that other do or deal with. Learn about your Ford and what it can do for you. But stay away from the poor mechanics who try very hard to get you to buy high dollar retail OEM parts.

The trick is to learn what parts really need to be OEM, and get everything else somewhere else. Regards,

 

[kanzaman]

Wow! I didn't realize how active these forums might be. Thank you for all the replies.

Yeah, I've had this thing for about 6 weeks, and just seem to have had the worst luck. I'm taking a 3,000 driving vacation next week, and want to drive the Mountaineer, but am a little shaky right now. I try to take excellent care of my vehicles, and am pretty good about sensing or diagnosing things when I purchase the vehicle, but this one through me for a loop.

Right after we got it, we went to see my wife's elderly mother, so my wife put the seat as far forward as it would go (front driver's side) so her mom could get more easily into the back seat. Well, that's where it died. The whole motorized seat bracket had to be purchased, and was around $750.00. I did get the one they replaced and took it with me.

It's still in the shop regarding the exhaust header. You really think if I throw a stink they'll cover it? The rented me an '07 Ranger for the weekend.

From what I've read on various forums, I went ahead and told them to change the tranny fluid and put in new plugs, at 82,000 miles. Was this premature, or do the plugs get excessive gaps like I've read? I have no idea when the tranny fluid was changed, so this is just "preventive maintenance".

Anyone have an Explorer or Mountaineer they've driven for 30,000 miles without ANY big expenses? Because with all I've just spend, I'd like to drive a few miles without tugging at my wallet again .

You guys are great...thanks for all the responses!

 

[kanzaman]

Thank you for the quick replies. I had no idea this forum would be so busy!

My springs are OK, as I had them checked before I bought it. I do have the seat mechanism that I replaced too. I wanted to see if it was repairable, especially when they told me it wasn't.

One the broken manifold, they told me it was severely rusted, and due to the condition when I brought it in they could not be held responsible. Do you really think I can raise a stink and get them to cover it? Saving $350 at this point would be significant.

Once I get all this work done, is there a chance I can drive this thing 25,000 miles without any major repairs? Of course I'll do the PM's, but man, I may have to drive this thing to 200,000 miles to get my money's worth. I paid $11,500 for it, and it's really in pristine shape, exterior-wise and interior-wise, and is fully equipped short of a sunroof. It has all other options.

Thanks for all the feedback and responses. You guys are great!

 

[kanzaman]

Whoops, now a double post....sorry

takes a while for these to "post", eh?

 

[CDW6212R]

It sounds like a very nice truck. I have had sunroofs in my last five vehicles, and I could easily do without them. Where you are located may make a difference about the manifold studs, corrosion. They still really should not stick you with every single "accident" expense.

FYI, you can edit(and delete) your posts.

That seat could have been fixed likely with a new(used) motor from a salvage yard. Most of the savings from sourcing parts elsewhere comes from the time spent finding them, it could take a while to get a fair price for that motor.

It would be the same for that manifold. If you chose to do the transfer case, say you installed one that you paid $400 for(I priced those BW4410's three years ago), and broke that stud yourself. You could spend some time finding the manifold yourself, and maybe fixed it for $50. Time is valuable, most of us here invest our time instead of paying such exorbitant new retail prices, plus their labor.

I am currently balking at the $450+ prices of BW 4406 transfer cases. It comes down to patience and how fast you need a repair or modification. I would suggest that you keep the truck, and pay close attention to everything while learning to trust it(previous owner). Good luck,

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome to the forum

 

[IAmTodd]

I have found that when buying a used vehicle you'll encounter quite a few problems. I have on my last two vehicles. More than likely these issues were the cause of the previous owner trading in the vehicle(which is why our '02 XLT is sitting in the used car section with a slipping transmission(again!) and broken rear springs).

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum!

 

[kanzaman]

OK, guys! You all get a hearty pat on the back for inspiring me to stand my ground with the "stealership". It took me 45 minutes of extreme self confidence, pouring out my logic and never once did I swear or raise my voice... AND THEY WAIVED THE $350 PLUS FOR THE DAMAGED EXHAUST MANIFOLD!!!

I'm still out for the transfer case, but now the 02 is fixed and road ready for my VACATION!

Thanks for all the insight and input! I'm sure I'll be back for more of the same!!!

kanzaman - Topeka, Ks

 

[Tbars4]

...well congrats on taking a stand...

...just be sure to check this sight before you go down that road again...

 

[CDW6212R]

Very good, glad to hear of a positive ending for once.

 

[Exploderpilot]

i don't think my calculator has enough memory for the money i have saved on this site! a week after i bought my first explorer, i had the first gen ding ding sound from underneath going up driveways, etc. a mechanic near my house told me he needed to pull the entire front suspension to replace the radius arm bushings! and i actually left my truck there, because he told me it was too dangerous to drive! but then i cam home, got on this website, (thanks Kris!)
and ended up doing the job myself in two hours at my buddies house at a total cost of 113 bucks! (i bought the spring compressor AND new springs for that price!)
so stick around here, and USE THE SEARCH! it will save your wallet some serious weight loss!

 

[kanzaman]

I'm a believer.

I'll upload a pic of my white on white '02 Mountaineer when I figure out how to do it, and probably after my vacation.

I've already noticed better performance/gas mileage after the new transfer case, spark plugs (@ 82,000) and transmission service. It sure turns better now, without the binding, wheel hopping and growl!

Along with the new BF Goodrich tires, I'm set to drive around 3,000 miles starting Friday. Down to Nashville, over to Memphis and back towards home through Branson, Mo.

We try to sample as much BBQ as possible when we travel, so if anyone knows of some fabulous joints out there along that route, please feel free to suggest them. Or warn us about any that are "popular" but don't live up to their reputation.

Great forums... I enjoy all the pictures, and again, will add mine as soon as I can.