Replace Engine or Ditch it

[dmconno]

My 2003 Eddie Bauer V8 Explorer has a blown engine at 151,000 miles. We have a quote from a mechanic who found a used engine from an '05 EB V8 Explorer with 86K miles for $1,500. He claims that this is from a reliable junk yard. The engine will come with a 6 month warranty (or a full year for an extra couple hundred). To install the engine he expects 17 hours of labor, so the total would come to around $3,100.
We have put a lot of money into this SUV, new transmission (still has 10 months warranty) and premium all season tires with less than 10k miles on them. The brakes should also be in good shape.
I feel like most of the major things that could go wrong have, so it would make sense to move forward the the engine replacement. I've instructed the mechanic to put it on his lift and take a look for any other gotchas.
My questions are:
Does everyone agree that with the work that we have done that replacing the engine is the wise option?
What would the resale value be if we didn't replace the engine?
What would the resale value be in a year with a newer engine and transmission with an estimated 170k miles?
Is there anything else I should replace or have checked while replacing the engine, like the radiator and water pump?

 

[MikeF150]

Currently replacing the engine in my wife's 2002 XLT - valve spring broke. Since it only has 80K & everything else seems fine, we went with a Jasper re-man engine - 3 yrs/100K warranty. Pricey (engine @ $3200 alone) but since she likes the vehicle alot, we plan to keep it for awhile....

 

[fusseli]

My 2003 Eddie Bauer V8 Explorer has a blown engine at 151,000 miles. We have a quote from a mechanic who found a used engine from an '05 EB V8 Explorer with 86K miles for $1,500. He claims that this is from a reliable junk yard. The engine will come with a 6 month warranty (or a full year for an extra couple hundred). To install the engine he expects 17 hours of labor, so the total would come to around $3,100.
We have put a lot of money into this SUV, new transmission (still has 10 months warranty) and premium all season tires with less than 10k miles on them. The brakes should also be in good shape.
I feel like most of the major things that could go wrong have, so it would make sense to move forward the the engine replacement. I've instructed the mechanic to put it on his lift and take a look for any other gotchas.
My questions are:
Does everyone agree that with the work that we have done that replacing the engine is the wise option?
What would the resale value be if we didn't replace the engine?
What would the resale value be in a year with a newer engine and transmission with an estimated 170k miles?
Is there anything else I should replace or have checked while replacing the engine, like the radiator and water pump?

What's the basis for your toasted motor? Is it seized? Also, my initial reaction is that that price might be high for both the JY motor.

Currently replacing the engine in my wife's 2002 XLT - valve spring broke. Since it only has 80K & everything else seems fine, we went with a Jasper re-man engine - 3 yrs/100K warranty. Pricey (engine @ $3200 alone) but since she likes the vehicle alot, we plan to keep it for awhile....

A broken valve spring hardly necesitates a new engine... Rebuilt heads? Not even...

 

[not8taxi]

My 2003 Eddie Bauer V8 Explorer has a blown engine at 151,000 miles. We have a quote from a mechanic who found a used engine from an '05 EB V8 Explorer with 86K miles for $1,500. He claims that this is from a reliable junk yard. The engine will come with a 6 month warranty (or a full year for an extra couple hundred). To install the engine he expects 17 hours of labor, so the total would come to around $3,100.
We have put a lot of money into this SUV, new transmission (still has 10 months warranty) and premium all season tires with less than 10k miles on them. The brakes should also be in good shape.
I feel like most of the major things that could go wrong have, so it would make sense to move forward the the engine replacement. I've instructed the mechanic to put it on his lift and take a look for any other gotchas.
My questions are:
Does everyone agree that with the work that we have done that replacing the engine is the wise option?
What would the resale value be if we didn't replace the engine?
What would the resale value be in a year with a newer engine and transmission with an estimated 170k miles?
Is there anything else I should replace or have checked while replacing the engine, like the radiator and water pump?

double check the 05 motor will work...i know they are drive by wire on those years...

 

[Harder93]

Look on Craigslist for someone parting their engine and you should be able to get it cheaper than if you are unable to do the swap than get it quoted by the shop to save a few bucks

 

[Lanky]

17 Hours of labor seems like alot to me. Is he having to pull the motor out of the other unit?

 

[4.6EXPLORERFAN]

With that mileage I wouldn't worry about resale. Not a big market for out there for a problematic SUV with high miles. If it's paid for the decision is easy...new car payment or short-term loan/credit card bill. Buy a new vehicle, part out the Ex to recoup the money. It's a hard call, I love my Ex but $4.00/gas keeps my eyes open for new possibilities.

 

[dmconno]

With that mileage I wouldn't worry about resale. Not a big market for out there for a problematic SUV with high miles. If it's paid for the decision is easy...new car payment or short-term loan/credit card bill. Buy a new vehicle, part out the Ex to recoup the money. It's a hard call, I love my Ex but $4.00/gas keeps my eyes open for new possibilities.

It is a hard call and I have mixed feelings. If I can replace the engine, get another year out of it, sell it for a few grand or bring it out to Nantucket as a beach car I'm happy.
The old engine has no oil pressure and was run by my wife with no oil pressure.

 

[engineguy]

sent you a pm.

-Joe