'03, 116k miles $650 with almost new tires, advice needed

[Stephen]

So, I have an opportunity to buy an '03 from a guy I have known for a long time for $650. He is basically looking to get the tire value and the $150 the scrappers would give him out of it. It has 2 known issues.

#1 One of the power windows recently stopped working.

#2 #8 cylinder has a minor coolant leak in the intake manifold above it. Fills the spark plug well and shorts the spark plug.

I have always done pretty much all my own car work. My first vehicle got driven home and an engine swap. Done a fair amount of engine work on my subaru's including timing belts and tranny. I was reading what sounded like major issues with a plastic manifold on the 1st gen models that was supposedly pretty much fixed in 03 but this issue is a coolant leak in the manifold.

What is everyone's opinion? Should I buy it? I don't mind fixing it and the manifolds don't look expensive. I've heard the spark plugs are a pain ^2. This guy is a throw up the hands and toss it kind of person so he is just looking to wash his hands of it and doesn't feel like paying $xxxx to have it fixed.

Input welcome!

Thanks,
Stephen

 

[Mikes05expy]

Even if you can't get it running I think it'd be worth it just for the new tires and misc. parts. You'd definitely make your money back and then some just parting it out, I'd go for it.

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[alaskanexpy]

snap it up! hell of a deal

 

[sgtowing]

If worse comes to worse, You could always just part it out and still make money on it.

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[FordGate]

lol - I think your friend is very smart! Get back to us in a year if you decide to buy it.

 

[FordandPolaris]

I would also say go for it. Especially if you have another vehicle and can afford to have the new expy down for a while.

 

[toms89]

So, I have an opportunity to buy an '03 from a guy I have known for a long time for $650. He is basically looking to get the tire value and the $150 the scrappers would give him out of it. It has 2 known issues.

#1 One of the power windows recently stopped working.

#2 #8 cylinder has a minor coolant leak in the intake manifold above it. Fills the spark plug well and shorts the spark plug.

I have always done pretty much all my own car work. My first vehicle got driven home and an engine swap. Done a fair amount of engine work on my subaru's including timing belts and tranny. I was reading what sounded like major issues with a plastic manifold on the 1st gen models that was supposedly pretty much fixed in 03 but this issue is a coolant leak in the manifold.

What is everyone's opinion? Should I buy it? I don't mind fixing it and the manifolds don't look expensive. I've heard the spark plugs are a pain ^2. This guy is a throw up the hands and toss it kind of person so he is just looking to wash his hands of it and doesn't feel like paying $xxxx to have it fixed.

Input welcome!

Thanks,
Stephen

Heater hoses leaking into the #4 spark plug well (back passenger side) is very common. I do not believe the 5.4 PI intake manifold has any coolant passage in the rear but its possible it went through a design change.. It more or less blocks off the coolant passage in the head. Not sure with the 4.6.


For that price I don't think you can go wrong but I guess the question is do you want a full size suv and are you willing to spend the time an $$ to fix it?

You can view the following link and/or browse the 2nd Generation Expedition section for common issues with them.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f41/what-look-when-buying-gen-2-expy-10742/



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[Canadian Expy]

Go for it!!

 

[Stephen]

Thanks for the input everyone. I told my friend I would buy it. Haven't taken possession yet. Anyone have a good recommendation on where to get a real manual for it? I would like to have the information about what pipe and such are back there.

Stephen

 

[Stephen]

Oh, and what is up with the dirty brown wheels in the front. I just saw another expedition that looked about that same year and style and it had brownish front wheels too.

Stephen