2007 engine blew up

[dustindu4]

2007 Expedition Limited, 120k miles. Fuel injector went bad and got stuck and then cylinder 2 had 50% compression until the motor hatched altogether. Ford wants $9400 for a new engine installed, not happening. I found somebody to put a motor in for me and I don't want to use a salvage motor with 100k miles on it.

Looking for a remanufactured motor. Has this happened to anybody else and which brand motor did you use? I'm looking to get something on order very soon.

 

[JExpedition07]

That price is crazy. We have an old company truck E-350 and had a brand new crate 3 valve 5.4 put in for 6 grand with a ford warranty. We had our local trusted mechanic do it, Ford gave it a 36,000 mile warranty since it was done by our guy and not theirs but we were happy with our mechanics price. That dealer is smoking crack. Go price around and ask what mechanics want to put in a new Long Block from Ford. that’s pretty unusual out of a modular V8 to tank like that at such low mileage but anything can happen.

 

[Adieu]

2007 Expedition Limited, 120k miles. Fuel injector went bad and got stuck and then cylinder 2 had 50% compression until the motor hatched altogether. Ford wants $9400 for a new engine installed, not happening. I found somebody to put a motor in for me and I don't want to use a salvage motor with 100k miles on it.

Looking for a remanufactured motor. Has this happened to anybody else and which brand motor did you use? I'm looking to get something on order very soon.

Are you sure it's that far gone?

Some shops and dealers are quite brazen in "upselling" repairs

 

[dustindu4]

Are you sure it's that far gone?

Some shops and dealers are quite brazen in "upselling" repairs

Oh no it's toast. They told me I could drive it away and I didn't make it out of the parking lot. The sounds that engine made before it died were the sounds of death. Sounded like shaking a tin can of bolts and stopped running. What I don't buy is their explanation of what happened, because they didn't tear the head off or anything, but either way the engine is done. What I believe happened is the cylinder partially hydrolocked from a stuck open fuel injector, bent the rod and damaged the piston ring. Ford said it wasn't the head because it didn't have any codes for cam stuff (which I verified), they were convinced it was the short block assy.

What I actually discovered is there are basically 3 engine options. For all 3 the labor to install is about the same: $2k

1) used motor with 100k miles, 30 day warranty. Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy. $2k I would do this if I wanted to flip the car immediately. But I can't afford a new one for $70k so I will keep driving this one until something else major happens.

2) Remanufactured motors that range from $3300 (Advanced Powertrain) to $4700 (Jasper). All these motors come in various degrees of assembly, some come with or without valve covers, timing belt covers, oil pan and sensors. All of these have 3 year/100k warranty that covers labor, but if you do a little research on the warranties, there is nothing but horror stories out there. I would almost lean towards option 1.

3) Ford actually sells their own remanufactured engines with 3 year/ unlimited mile warranties for $5200 list, but I can get it from Tasca Ford for $4200. I might be able to get it for less. Plus an $800 core charge. Ford's warranty for me would be a lot more comforting. What is more interesting is that the dealer said I could get a new engine, but I found they were not available. The reman is all you can get.

So I am leaning towards option 3. For 6k I can get a decent engine installed. I don't have the time or energy to attempt it myself, but I think I could do it if my garage wasn't 10 degrees right now. So basically I'm looking at around $6k.

The truck still looks good and everything else works, so it's hard to just throw it away. Wife loves it and I'm not buying a 2018, so I might as well spend the cash to keep it for now. I need a truck I can tow with, going with a less expensive new smaller SUV isn't worth it. I need the size

 

[dustindu4]

. that’s pretty unusual out of a modular V8 to tank like that at such low mileage but anything can happen.

They said it was unusual, usually the timing chain is what does it. But a stuck fuel injector will do it too. I found another forum where people said it happened to them, some with a lot less mileage too.

 

[stamp11127]

Something to consider, since you are swapping engines, is to swap in a new torque converter and trans pump seal - you are already there.

Also inspect the ring gear and flexplate.

A stuck open fuel injector will relieve pressure on the fuel rail. Each time you start the engine the fuel pump will reprime the fuel rail before starting. You would notice it wasn't starting quickly.

A shaking can of bolts sound can be the timing chains or engine being starved from oil.

Sounds more like the diagnosis was of the dart board variety.

 

[dustindu4]

A stuck open fuel injector will relieve pressure on the fuel rail. Each time you start the engine the fuel pump will reprime the fuel rail before starting. You would notice it wasn't starting quickly.
.

It took 5-10 seconds of turning the key to get it to turn over so you're onto something. Then it would run ok for a few seconds and slowly sputter worse and worse until it stopped.

 

[JExpedition07]

Oh no it's toast. They told me I could drive it away and I didn't make it out of the parking lot. The sounds that engine made before it died were the sounds of death. Sounded like shaking a tin can of bolts and stopped running. What I don't buy is their explanation of what happened, because they didn't tear the head off or anything, but either way the engine is done. What I believe happened is the cylinder partially hydrolocked from a stuck open fuel injector, bent the rod and damaged the piston ring. Ford said it wasn't the head because it didn't have any codes for cam stuff (which I verified), they were convinced it was the short block assy.

What I actually discovered is there are basically 3 engine options. For all 3 the labor to install is about the same: $2k

1) used motor with 100k miles, 30 day warranty. Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy. $2k I would do this if I wanted to flip the car immediately. But I can't afford a new one for $70k so I will keep driving this one until something else major happens.

2) Remanufactured motors that range from $3300 (Advanced Powertrain) to $4700 (Jasper). All these motors come in various degrees of assembly, some come with or without valve covers, timing belt covers, oil pan and sensors. All of these have 3 year/100k warranty that covers labor, but if you do a little research on the warranties, there is nothing but horror stories out there. I would almost lean towards option 1.

3) Ford actually sells their own remanufactured engines with 3 year/ unlimited mile warranties for $5200 list, but I can get it from Tasca Ford for $4200. I might be able to get it for less. Plus an $800 core charge. Ford's warranty for me would be a lot more comforting. What is more interesting is that the dealer said I could get a new engine, but I found they were not available. The reman is all you can get.

So I am leaning towards option 3. For 6k I can get a decent engine installed. I don't have the time or energy to attempt it myself, but I think I could do it if my garage wasn't 10 degrees right now. So basically I'm looking at around $6k.

The truck still looks good and everything else works, so it's hard to just throw it away. Wife loves it and I'm not buying a 2018, so I might as well spend the cash to keep it for now. I need a truck I can tow with, going with a less expensive new smaller SUV isn't worth it. I need the size

I'm pretty sure you can still get new long blocks just not a complete unit. meaning you'd have to do alternator swap etc...

 

[stamp11127]

A professional mechanic would scope the cylinder(s) in question looking for damaged cylinder wall(s) and a really clean piston top(s). I would also pull both valve covers and inspect the cam lobes for signs of oil starvation. Once you have that info you can usually deduce the shape the motor is really in.

 

[JExpedition07]

Ford wants $6,060 for a new long block 5.4L engine, way up from before. Id go with their reman. I'd go with the Ford Reman Unit because you know they did it right, and rebuilt everything with OEM up to date parts, and stand behind it. You're basically getting a new engine with their redos just in an used block.

 

[dustindu4]

Ford wants $6,060 for a new long block 5.4L engine, way up from before. Id go with their reman. I'd go with the Ford Reman Unit because you know they did it right, and rebuilt everything with OEM up to date parts, and stand behind it. You're basically getting a new engine with their redos just in an used block.

Yeah but if you go to order that part (7L2Z-6007-A) it is discontinued. The 7L3Z-6006-DARM is the rebuilt motor. That one, you have to swap over your alternator, pumps, coils, intake, etc. If the new one with all the parts on it would almost be worth the extra grand if it were available.

 

[JExpedition07]

Yeah but if you go to order that part (7L2Z-6007-A) it is discontinued. The 7L3Z-6006-DARM is the rebuilt motor. That one, you have to swap over your alternator, pumps, coils, intake, etc. If the new one with all the parts on it would almost be worth the extra grand if it were available.

That’s lame

 

[JExpedition07]

You can purchase a new 5.4 but it’s in two pieces (stupid, stupid!!) the New Short Block is $1,300 (Engine assembly other than Heads). New Heads are $1,500 per piece. If you get a short block plus heads you have a new engine, hence the dealer was correct you can still get a new engine you just have two marry the two together. IMO Ford should just sell the damn long block!! Tons of 5.4 engines have been sold from 1997-2014 and as they age many will need work/replacement. If you go that route make sure you put in a NEW oil pump.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

i'd go w/the reman too.

shot a plug out of number 3 cylinder passenger side back in '10 and cracked the head.
local engine builder that handled all Blue Oval's work scoped it, and walked me through a rebuild and pricing. sourced a donor head, tore it down to parade rest and rebuilt her replacing all the "time to fix items" & out the door for $4.2K and a 3/36K warranty. still driving her today.

tough choice as she was only 13 years young at the time and a tad over 140K miles.

 

[chuck s]

There are used Gen3 Expeditions advertised for under $10K. And for $20K you can get one with under 50K miles.

-- Chuck

 

[JExpedition07]

There are used Gen3 Expeditions advertised for under $10K. And for $20K you can get one with under 50K miles.

-- Chuck

That’s not a very smart move, the truck is worthless with a blown engine he will get bottom dollar from the yard. You lose $10,000 on your truck and buy a newer one for $15,000 for a $25,000 dollar loss on a used truck with a used powertrain. For $5-10k you have your truck with a brand new powertrain. You spend less and get more replacing your own engine in this scenario.

 

[jeff kushner]

I am VERY familiar with Hydrolock as I see it all too often on the vintage bikes I restore.....for those that don't know...hydrolock is when fuel leaks past the carbs float valve and fills or partially fills the cylinder, then when the engine is spun, the rod bends because the volume cannot compress.....but I've NEVER seen it with fuel injectors because so little fuel is passed that even stuck open, it would be very unlikely.

Had the engine bent a rod, you would not have run it....because it would have terrified you with the banging on the bottom end would sound like someone pounding a hole through the block...which is exactly what's trying to occur!

The guys gave you good advice.....get someone to give you a fair price for a new crate engine w/ warranty, get the Converter & seal done as Stamp very efficiently suggested.....and you'll be golden.

jeff

 

[chuck s]

Yep, the broken truck ain't worth anything but I can't see spending $6K to $8K to fix something that's only gonna be worth that same $6K to $8K when done. Time to cut losses and say good bye.

-- Chuck

 

[rjdelp7]

Possible, could be a cam follower that popped off or a loose spark plug or both. Similar to stuck fuel injector. However dumping raw fuel into exhaust, may of killed your converters(add another $1500). If this engine threw a rod, it would shut off and not re-start. This engine may still be saved. Using the wrong oil or running too low, will cause followers to become unseated. Ford made this motor for years and many last to 300K. A low mileage, $800 used motor, makes more sense than a $6000 re-man.

 

[dustindu4]

Ended up deciding to go the cheap route and got a used motor with 85k on it from LKQ. Motor came with everything on it except the throttle body and alternator which is great. They are going to replace the water pump, plugs and check the headers (which were attached). Going to drive it till summer and sell the truck. I think I'm expecting too much out of a 11 year old truck to keep it going long term. I will give you guys an ideas of the costs when I'm done. The motor was 2300.