USAF stationed in Spain

[lamakkdiesel]

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer that the Spanish Ford Dealerships cannot fix. Due to the language barrier, I really don't know what is officially wrong with my vehicle. They recommended, through a translator, that I get a new engine shipped over so that they could install it. I'm told that they would have to order too many parts, and tools to install the phantom parts for it to be cost effective for them to proceed. There isn't a mechanic at any base in the Country that can do much more than an oil change.

I'm buying a 2013 Ford Explorer Limited to replace to '03. My question...I can send the '03 to the states for $2K. Is it worth it to send it back, get it fixed, and try to resell? My alternative is paying about $300 to have it sent to a junk yard. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[rusty813]

In my opinion, I say ship it back to the states have mechanic look at it, it could be a really small problem that cost 100-300 to repair.

 

[FireZapper]

Well what is it doing? what noise is it making? Talk to anyone at the motor pool? Is there an auto hobby shop on base?

 

[sport97]

I would do what you can do figure out what could be the issue before planning a course of action. Also, do they support the new explorer there? I would be careful about ending up in the same boat where no one can fix your car, or get parts.

 

[lamakkdiesel]

I'll be leaving here for Germany soon...The area I'm going to is definitely equipped for future issues. No hobby shop, BX, commissary, hospital, etc, etc, at this base. Motor pool is all Spanish...There isn't any "help" locally at all...

I had my translator call again...Sounds like at least the crankshaft...

The check engine light came on while accelerating up a hill. The truck wouldn't gain speed after that. It wouldn't idle without sounding like it was going to shut off. I could get to maybe 30mph in it...The first mechanic changed the Crank Sensor (took 3 weeks). This did not clear up the issue. The current mechanic said that I also had bad oil pressure sensors. Never had the dash light come on, or heard any pinging before the uphill incident. He showed me some broken red hard plastic pieces he says he pulled out of the engine. Nothing I recognized...Says he can fix everything he could see, but does not know if there is further damage beyond that. This "fix" will take 2 months or more while he orders parts and tools to install those parts.

So I suppose my specific question is...Is it worth shipping this truck back to the states for a new engine to be installed? I've never had an engine fail...Seems like a lot to do in hopes of being able to sell it and make a profit.A

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Have the mechanic hook up a code scanner to find out what the code numbers are. Which engine do you have? The SOHC V6 has timing chain/tensioner/cassette issues.

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site

 

[lamakkdiesel]

Thanks for the responses/recommendations and the welcome!

They weren't able to give me an error code (I went again). The mechanic kept saying it was the distribution over and over. It does look to be the timing chain/guides that failed. I found this link after your post Brooklynbay:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287416

Is it worth having a mechanic fix this issue? Or does it make more sense to drop a new engine in it? I'm trying to get in contact with Ford and/or mechanics in Germany to see if they are capable of either.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Print the link for the mechanic to let him decide if he's capable of performing the repair. You might need a new engine if he can't repair it.