Rebuild vs. Remanufactured vs. give up

[emfjsullivan]

I've got a 93 Mazda Navajo that's been running great for the 2 years I've had it. Just recently, it's started to shake/buck when shifting from 1st-2nd (it's a 5 speed manual xmission) and 2nd-3rd like there's a problem w/ the engine/xmission linkage. The engine seems to still run smoothly when idling and when it revs up when stepping on the gas while in neutral, so I "think" the engine (ie gas and spark) is ok.

The other issues I have are the valves/lifters tapping for the first 3-4 minutes after starting; plus a small oil leak that was never totally corrected (even after $700), and an A/C (has the 134a freon) system that doesn't work too well unless I'm above 2000 rpm consistently (which means very uncomfortable temp while in traffic in the DC/Northern VA area in the summer).

It's got 115k miles (body is fine) and I love the truck but I'm at a point where I either put some $ into overhauling the engine and the tranny to get it into tip-top shape or dump it and go for a new one. I'm looking for opinions on going for an engine rebuild vs. having someone install a remanufactured engine, and getting the transmission rebuilt. I'm not sure what it will cost in this area, but it's got to be alot less than a new $25k Explorer or Escape.

Anyone have any suggestions on which way to go?

Thanks

 

[CDW6212R]

Sorry to say it, but the value of the truck, and the potential cost to rebuild, both point to selling it.

I have a 93 Limited which I invested a total of $11000 into in 1998. It's my work vehicle, in great shape, with 111,000 miles on it. Mine would cost many thousands of dollars in the next couple of years for major repairs.

It sounds like yours is closer to needing the expensive work than mine. I decided over a year ago to save my truck by scrapping the whole chassis. I won't do this again, but I'm about to "repair" a 99 rollover that I found, by dropping my 93 body onto it.

Unless you have access to inexpensive replacement parts, and cheap labor, you will be happier by changing vehicles. Good luck,
Don

 

[emfjsullivan]

It sounds like you've got some experience in the rebuiling area so I was wondering if you could give me any idea on the magnitude of the costs I would be looking at to rebuild or get a reman installed. Also, if familiar w/ tranny rebuilds, what would they run.

All I'm looking for is a reliable, solid explorer suv and if it will only cost $3-$5k to make the truck last another 3-5 years, that beats the $20k I'd have to pay for a new car that I'd have to worry about scratches, dings, complicated electronics.... I'm a buy and ride til it drops type of car owner.

Thanks

 

[CDW6212R]

That suggests that you don't know where you could find less expensive labor and parts. Some of the users here can keep a vehicle like yours running for a reasonable cost, because of their skills, or connections.

My 93 would cost a little more than yours to keep stock, because your manual transmission can be rebuilt for pennies compared to the A4LD. I decided that I wanted the benefits of the next generation Explorer chassis'. So I weighed the cost of buying a newer model(about 98 or so), and selling my 93. I figured I would be fortunate to only spend $5000 on that change.
I decided that I liked everything about mine except the chassis, so I started looking into swapping the 2nd gen. chassis under my 1st gen. body. I found a 99 Limited(rolled) for $1500. It was missing most of the interior which I didn't need. I knew that other costs would raise the final total, but I figured that I could do it for less than $3000. I have access to a friends garage, a lift, a lot of tools, and good friends to help. In the end, it will be over $4000 and four months start to finish. I've been very busy, and my friend has been out of town for about two months off and on.

Obviously it isn't going the way I planned. Nothing ever does of course. When I am finished, my 93 will be relaible for many years to come, and much better.

My project doesn't help you I know, but maybe you will take my advice and find a better vehicle. Have someone look at your truck who you trust who can properly evaluate its condition. If it truly is about to need major engine, transmission, and other work, you would be less disrupted by changing vehicles. Having an engine rebuilt, or swapped for a better engine, is very time consuming and expensive. For a lot of major work, you would be dissappointed with how long you would be without the vehicle, and how much it would cost in total.

I saw a 98 Limited 4x4 sell on Ebay recently for about $3600. A dealer wanted to get rid of it, because it's transfer case wasn't allowing it to be driven. Good deals like that do come along once in a while. If you can wait till you find a better vehicle, you can save a lot of aggravation and expense. Good luck,
Don

 

[CDW6212R]

Long winded I know. What I really should have said is that you can find a really nice later model for $5000 to $8000. There are some good websites that can help you search for exactly what you want. Some include private sellers, and some are dealer only sites. I had been looking on GetAuto.com for a Mountaineer and a Mark VIII. I found my current 98 Mountaineer 30 months ago on Ebay, for $8600. The V8's are less trouble versus the SOHC 4.0, and your are familier with the OHV 4.0. Good luck,
Don

 

[fastcougar]

It's been proven time and time again that under most curcustances, it's cheaper to repair an old car than to buy a new one. There is more to consider than just the cost of the repair. For example, my 1997 5.0L AWD Explorer cost me $100 less every 6 months to insure than my 2005 Toyota Corolla. I could only imagine what a 2005 Explorer would run me!

 

[Rhett]

And also don't forget, it depends how much a person likes their vehicle. If they really like it, they may want to sink the money into it to keep it going.

If they don't really care one way or the other, they might as well sell it. Keep in mind a Navajo will be something of a collectors item...a rare vehicle...

 

[mechanix]

Why not just buy another Explorer from someone here on the site. I have seen alot of them for sale and buying it from here you can do some digging usually and find out what they have done or what they would have done. That is what I did. I had a 91 X that the body was VERY bad and the trans took a big poooo. So I pulled the engine and sold it. One year later I found two Explorers from another member on this site. I bought them both. The ones I got where in WAY better condidtion than my 91 and for the money I would have had to put in my 91 I bought two newer Explorers that didn't need much work at all. Ebay is another idea. I have been looking for another Explorer really cheap. Like 100-200 dollars cheap. I want to try some mods but I need extra parts. I have seen some great looking Explorers with low miles go for $1500.

So I guess the bottom line is how much the repairs cost you to have you Navajo fixed up where it is reliable again?

Can you buy another one that is it alot better shape and maybe get a few options that you Navajo dosent have for the same price? (this was a big thing for me. My 91 way striped down. my new ones have some nice goodies on them)

In my instance I can do ALL the work to my Explorer and I get GREAT deals on parts (it pays to work on the parts managers car at the parts store) so I have very little cost in either of these vehicles I bought to repair them f the need arises.

Just my .02 cents. I hope it helps.

 

[CDW6212R]

It does usually come down to connections. But the other factors should be evaluated by a qualified mechanic.

I think emfjsullivan needs some hands on advice from someone he trusts. Once he hears an expert opinion of the potential costs to keep the Najaho running, he can quickly figure out whether he should keep it.
Don

 

[emfjsullivan]

CDW6212R hit the nail on the head. I've done most of the work (never pulled the engine or tranny though) on the truck and don't know a good shop in the Northern, VA area where I could get a truseted evaluation of what would need to be done. I don't mind spending $3-4k to make it last for another 3-4 years as the body is fine and I do like the truck alot.

Thanks for all the comments so far....I'm weighing all my options.

 

[fastcougar]

CDW6212R hit the nail on the head. I've done most of the work (never pulled the engine or tranny though) on the truck and don't know a good shop in the Northern, VA area where I could get a truseted evaluation of what would need to be done. I don't mind spending $3-4k to make it last for another 3-4 years as the body is fine and I do like the truck alot.

Thanks for all the comments so far....I'm weighing all my options.

I just noticed that you are located in Herndon ... I live in Ashburn. My 1996 Sport that I recently sold had to have the transmission rebuilt at 87K miles. After taking it to Koons Ford in Sterling and getting a quote for $2500, I took it to the speed shop on Shaw Rd. in Sterling (can't remember the name of the shop, but great guys). The shop actually farms out their transmission work to none other than the head mechanic at the Ford dealership

Paid $1000 for the same rebuild that the dealer wanted $2500 and the work was done by the same guy.

I sold the truck with 130K+ miles on it without a sign of any problems ... it was running like new. I can definitely vouche for their work. Look them up and ask who will be doing the work and see if the same person can do the work.

Good luck!

Direction to the shop: Take 28 north and exit right at Ceder Green Road (new VW Dealership will be on your left). At stop sign, turn left onto Shaw Rd. Go all the way to the end and turn left just past Tart Lumber ... it's a "Key Autoparts" retailer ... again, can't remember the name of the shop.