Worth the cost???

[ChosenMedia]

I have an opportunity to pick up a 2006 Ford Explorer, Eddie Bauer with only 91K miles. Interior and exterior are in excellent shape. No chipped paint, dents or fading paint. The interior is great. The transmission was just replaced a year ago. Now, they want to get rid of it for $1,500 but just told me the timing chain needs to be replaced. Because of the age and low mileage, I'm thinking and hoping I get some miles and years of use on this if I pick it up. How much do you think it will cost to have BOTH timing chains replaced and is it worth it for a truck in this condition? I'm thinking I'd have a fairly descent 06 Explorer with both the tranny and timing chains done. Input from the forum is greatly appreciated and will help me determine my decision. Thank you.

 

[Flashflood]

Depends v6 or v8 sounds to me like a v6 and that's pricey they should of done it while the transmission was replaced.

 

[Mbrooks420]

A rebuilt tranny in itself means very little. Often a rebuild gets less mileage than when it was rebuilt. Unless you have paperwork on the rebuild, and can look into the shop, I wouldn’t consider it a win. After all, the original failed before 90k for a reason.

This sounds like a winner for someone who could replace the tensioners themselves. A *good* shop is going to want a few thousand. And in the end you still have an inefficient, almost 20 year old vehicle.

A motor and transmission failure by this mileage says “zero maintenance” to me. So on top of the motor, you’ll have to factor in replacing the fluid in the differential, transfer case, and brake system as well.

 

[ChosenMedia]

A rebuilt tranny in itself means very little. Often a rebuild gets less mileage than when it was rebuilt. Unless you have paperwork on the rebuild, and can look into the shop, I wouldn’t consider it a win. After all, the original failed before 90k for a reason.

This sounds like a winner for someone who could replace the tensioners themselves. A *good* shop is going to want a few thousand. And in the end you still have an inefficient, almost 20 year old vehicle.

A motor and transmission failure by this mileage says “zero maintenance” to me. So on top of the motor, you’ll have to factor in replacing the fluid in the differential, transfer case, and brake system as well.

I can understand that. The thought was that I would pay around $3,000 for the repair but after calling SEVERAL shops, the price is coming in at $4000 to $5000. That's WAY MORE than I bargained for. My next thought is to get a used engine from Ebay or somewhere, change out the timing chain and any other gaskets and then have someone swap out the engines for me. That puts me back at $3,000. And I'm going to look up who did the tranny because I never thought about that. Thank you for these tips.

 

[ChosenMedia]

Depends v6 or v8 sounds to me like a v6 and that's pricey they should of done it while the transmission was replaced.

its' a V6!!! And, PRICEY IT IS!!!! $4,000 to $5,000. I can get a newer version for that much. More mileage of course. The idea was to get my hands on a TRUCK BODY style of an Explorer, lift it up with a kit and some bigger tires and keep it as my "old school" 4x4. Thank you for posting up.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The last of the “truck” explorers died in 2001, for the 4 doors.

 

[J_C]

The repair estimate seems high to me, all timing chains and related should book around 18 hours labor, suppose around $150/hour is $2700 labor so your initial impression it should be $3K total is right paying a premium for labor, while many mechanics would charge less than $150/hr.

I would look around longer for a better quote, but first I would want to see the underside of the vehicle because Baltimore gets some snow and with salted roads, could have some rust damage under it which would be my biggest deterrent.

Yes other fluids and minor things are assumed to be needed as well but such is the case with any older vehicle. People who take the best care tend to hold onto them and want a premium when sold... as they rightly should, because book value on a vehicle can't differentiate things like this.

Normally the tranny lasts more than 91K mi with no maintenance on it yet, and not in a particularly hot climate, so I suspect they drove it hard, maybe towing.

Whether it's worth it compared to other examples in your area at $5K, depends on their condition and specific mileage. They too, could be not too far off from needing timing chain or transmission work. That's just how it goes when an SUV gets to that age and price point.

If you only looked for repair quotes at major shops IN Baltimore, then I'd look further out of the city, rates should go down. I'd also look at independent mechanics for a labor rate at $100/hr or lower, but would want to see a lot of good references that they get work done in a timely manner. Maybe it'll take a few weeks but you don't want it sitting around for months which can often be the case. I'd draw up a contract for an independent with "time is of the essence" and a completion date in it, and not pay much up front. At the same time the mechanic doesn't want the value of their time tied up without payment assurance so you can either set up an escrow for payment or make scheduled payments based on reaching each stage of repair completion. It would be nice to also have a warranty, with terms appropriate to the cost of the repair... more so if paying $150/hr labor than $50, for example.

 

[Flashflood]

its' a V6!!! And, PRICEY IT IS!!!! $4,000 to $5,000. I can get a newer version for that much. More mileage of course. The idea was to get my hands on a TRUCK BODY style of an Explorer, lift it up with a kit and some bigger tires and keep it as my "old school" 4x4. Thank you for posting up.

Wow that's ridiculous the couple of shops I've called here about doing my 2000 sohc they quoted 2 to 3 grand

 

[Mbrooks420]

Wow that's ridiculous the couple of shops I've called here about doing my 2000 sohc they quoted 2 to 3 grand

They’re pricing themselves out because they don’t want to do it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d start with a car you can drive, that just needs caught up on maintenance. Who knows, the entire front end could be worn out.

 

[ChosenMedia]

The repair estimate seems high to me, all timing chains and related should book around 18 hours labor, suppose around $150/hour is $2700 labor so your initial impression it should be $3K total is right paying a premium for labor, while many mechanics would charge less than $150/hr.

I would look around longer for a better quote, but first I would want to see the underside of the vehicle because Baltimore gets some snow and with salted roads, could have some rust damage under it which would be my biggest deterrent.

Yes other fluids and minor things are assumed to be needed as well but such is the case with any older vehicle. People who take the best care tend to hold onto them and want a premium when sold... as they rightly should, because book value on a vehicle can't differentiate things like this.

Normally the tranny lasts more than 91K mi with no maintenance on it yet, and not in a particularly hot climate, so I suspect they drove it hard, maybe towing.

Whether it's worth it compared to other examples in your area at $5K, depends on their condition and specific mileage. They too, could be not too far off from needing timing chain or transmission work. That's just how it goes when an SUV gets to that age and price point.

If you only looked for repair quotes at major shops IN Baltimore, then I'd look further out of the city, rates should go down. I'd also look at independent mechanics for a labor rate at $100/hr or lower, but would want to see a lot of good references that they get work done in a timely manner. Maybe it'll take a few weeks but you don't want it sitting around for months which can often be the case. I'd draw up a contract for an independent with "time is of the essence" and a completion date in it, and not pay much up front. At the same time the mechanic doesn't want the value of their time tied up without payment assurance so you can either set up an escrow for payment or make scheduled payments based on reaching each stage of repair completion. It would be nice to also have a warranty, with terms appropriate to the cost of the repair... more so if paying $150/hr labor than $50, for example.

Thank you. This is GOOD STUFF. I just got off the phone with the owner. The transmission was rebuilt by one of THE MOST REPUTABLE shops in the area. They've been in business since FOREVER and are HIGHLY recommended.

As for the labor cost, I think I'll do just that, search for another mechanic and get a quote with references.

My other option is to find a used engine and have the timing chain and cassette replaced then just swap it out. At $4,000 in cost in either scenario, I'll get at least 2 years out of it so I'm looking at $2,000 a year for a truck.

Now, last thing. I'd like to put a lift kit on it with larger times to help with the ground clearance. I don't plan to do much off road driving, I just LOVE the look for my 22 year old son. Will that damage or stress out the transmission?

 

[Flashflood]

Thank you. This is GOOD STUFF. I just got off the phone with the owner. The transmission was rebuilt by one of THE MOST REPUTABLE shops in the area. They've been in business since FOREVER and are HIGHLY recommended.

As for the labor cost, I think I'll do just that, search for another mechanic and get a quote with references.

My other option is to find a used engine and have the timing chain and cassette replaced then just swap it out. At $4,000 in cost in either scenario, I'll get at least 2 years out of it so I'm looking at $2,000 a year for a truck.

Now, last thing. I'd like to put a lift kit on it with larger times to help with the ground clearance. I don't plan to do much off road driving, I just LOVE the look for my 22 year old son. Will that damage or stress out the transmission?

It's independent rear suspension so yes those are not supposed to be lifted imo and will wear the suspension extremely quickly good luck