shermn8r
Member
Yes, the ticking is normal, I've listened to it for years and always wondered why it did that, but I accepted it, as I accept the noise the power steering has always made. However, it has seemed to be more noticeable, especially when you're up against a wall, like in a drive-thru.
Engine pulls strong on the highway. Cruise is set at 80 and varies only slightly with hills and strong headwinds. I've been consistently getting 14 mpg highway and 10-11 mpg around town. Seems about right for an engine this old.
I could have made the repairs myself, I guess, although I'm not mechanically inclined. I have the tools at home, but I wasn't at home at the time. I also couldn't do it in the time it took a mechanic to do it. For me, an alternator and serpentine belt would have taken me most of the day using my Chiltons, and there would have been a lot of @#$%^&* language, tools embedded in walls, smashed fingers and multiple extra trips to the auto parts store for things that I broke along the way. All in all, $400 was probably a bargain compared to the physical and emotional toll it would have taken on me.
The dealer did mention cam phazers, among other things, in our conversation. To his credit, I think he was trying to convince me to NOT have the repairs done, but to get another vehicle. Also to his credit, he never told me to look for something at the dealership, but to look at car prices in general around town.
There's another Ford dealership local that I'll get a quote from as well as my usual mechanic. So, what should I say to other mechanics? Should I tell them that a Ford mechanic told me I need a new engine? That seems like I'm leading them to a high-profit conclusion that they should be coming to on their own. Should I just say that I hear a new noise in the engine and let them decide for themselves?
Engine pulls strong on the highway. Cruise is set at 80 and varies only slightly with hills and strong headwinds. I've been consistently getting 14 mpg highway and 10-11 mpg around town. Seems about right for an engine this old.
I could have made the repairs myself, I guess, although I'm not mechanically inclined. I have the tools at home, but I wasn't at home at the time. I also couldn't do it in the time it took a mechanic to do it. For me, an alternator and serpentine belt would have taken me most of the day using my Chiltons, and there would have been a lot of @#$%^&* language, tools embedded in walls, smashed fingers and multiple extra trips to the auto parts store for things that I broke along the way. All in all, $400 was probably a bargain compared to the physical and emotional toll it would have taken on me.
The dealer did mention cam phazers, among other things, in our conversation. To his credit, I think he was trying to convince me to NOT have the repairs done, but to get another vehicle. Also to his credit, he never told me to look for something at the dealership, but to look at car prices in general around town.
There's another Ford dealership local that I'll get a quote from as well as my usual mechanic. So, what should I say to other mechanics? Should I tell them that a Ford mechanic told me I need a new engine? That seems like I'm leading them to a high-profit conclusion that they should be coming to on their own. Should I just say that I hear a new noise in the engine and let them decide for themselves?
