dslance
New Member
- Joined
- March 25, 2005
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Houston, Texas
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '93 XLT
I've got a general maintenance question for the forum not specifically related to Explorers. It's around should the engine on my Taurus X should be replaced.
The facts are: I'm buying the neighbors 2008 Taurus X (it's a later version of the Freestyle). It has 187k miles - all highway miles (he's a salesman) and has been very well taken care of (for example did the full line of BG services at 163k miles). It blew a radiator hose or water pump and overheated to the point of shutting down. I know it has a blown head gasket since you see water coming out near the firewall (can't the leak directly) and there is water in the oil. The car sounds and runs great - i.e. no ticking, rattles, etc.
My first inclination is to replace head gasket myself and continue driving it - the parts cost for this will likely be ~$400 for a full gasket set. But 2 shops have said that I should replace the engine. I can get a 54k used engine with warranty for less than $800 and can do the swap myself.
What should I do - replace head gaskets (which would also include all the manifold gaskets, etc.) or go for the used engine?
The facts are: I'm buying the neighbors 2008 Taurus X (it's a later version of the Freestyle). It has 187k miles - all highway miles (he's a salesman) and has been very well taken care of (for example did the full line of BG services at 163k miles). It blew a radiator hose or water pump and overheated to the point of shutting down. I know it has a blown head gasket since you see water coming out near the firewall (can't the leak directly) and there is water in the oil. The car sounds and runs great - i.e. no ticking, rattles, etc.
My first inclination is to replace head gasket myself and continue driving it - the parts cost for this will likely be ~$400 for a full gasket set. But 2 shops have said that I should replace the engine. I can get a 54k used engine with warranty for less than $800 and can do the swap myself.
What should I do - replace head gaskets (which would also include all the manifold gaskets, etc.) or go for the used engine?
