Replacement Engine

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nottmbantam

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Hello All,
Been a while since I posted, but an update on my current Expy ( 2012 5.4 V8 XLT 4x4 EL ) . To cut a long story short, it's currently being fitted with a replacement (used) engine.

The truck was in at the main dealers here in Riyadh, Saudi, to replcae both the front and back bumpers. The rear had had a slight bump from a light collision, the other guys insurers paid for me to have a new bumper. The front I had damaged badly through careless driving in a high rise car park. So, the dealers were doing a special offer on bumpers and what not, so took the opportunity.

Anyway, picked up the car, went to drive to drive it away and it was making a loud knocking noise. I left it there for them to investigate. The day after, they ( the bodyshop) had to transfer it to the main dealership workshop. Here, they had to strip the engine. After this, they diagnosed a badly damaged engine.

THe options were to overhaul the existing engine or replacement new engine. But options were actually equally priced, but both more than what the truck is worth.

I then put the truck on a tow truck and took it to a local indy who works with Fords. They have found me a replacement engine, and are cururently in the process of fitting that. It might need a few other bits of smaller work ( brake pads, shocks etc )

Anyone else ever had a replacement engine done, and how did this run afterwards?

Costs wise, the total is going to be around 20,000 Saudi Riyals ( around $5k) . This includes the cost of the dealer stripping the engine. The truck is probably worth around $13k locally. It's a lot of money for repairs but still cheaper than buying a replacement. The dealers were going to chage me around $13k for a new engine, cost of overhaul came in at the same price.

Essentially, it comes down to me (probably) not carrying out the oil changes frequently enough. It's a tough lesson to learn, but going forward , will make sure I do it far more often then previously. It's cheaper than getting a replacement engine. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
 

Plati

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Hmmm. Dealer offering a special on bumper repair. That by itself seems "odd".

Went to drive it away and loud knocking noise. ... So you left it at the Dealer running right and picked it up and it's now broken engine? WTF?

$13K to rebuild engine after that?

Is it just me or does this sound fishy ??

Then there's the question about replacement engine, does it run right afterwards? Ummm yeah.

Wonder what that loud knocking noise was. Lot of questions here.
 
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Boostedbus

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You should probably frequently check/change air filter also. I can only imagine what the sand storms do to air filters over there. If any engine ingests sand it’s on borrowed time. Air filter is possibly more important than frequent oil and oil filter changes in that environment.
 
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nottmbantam

nottmbantam

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Interesting idea re the Air Filter, never really occurred to me, but now can see the sense behind it. Every one here goes on about regular and frequent oil + oil filters changes, but might also clean out the Air filter . Cheers.
 

chuck s

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Any access to engine oil analysis? Here in the US it's about $25 and will detect wear items and solids like sand and dirt in the system. The presence of different metals in the oil can indicate abnormal wear in bearings, pistons, rings, etc.

I've not had one on my 3.5 Eco Boost but will in a month or two just prior to the annual oil change. I'm using a sampling device that pulls oil from the dipstick port and puts it directly in the sample bottle. Just have to be careful to take oil from the middle of the sump and not the bottom where the sludge sits. (Dealer does my annual oil change so any sludge comes out them.)

My driving is in benign conditions but I'm curious.

-- Chuck
 

TobyU

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I only do used replacement engines and never had an issue. It is nice to hear one run before you buy it though.
 
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nottmbantam

nottmbantam

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Any access to engine oil analysis? Here in the US it's about $25 and will detect wear items and solids like sand and dirt in the system. The presence of different metals in the oil can indicate abnormal wear in bearings, pistons, rings, etc.

I've not had one on my 3.5 Eco Boost but will in a month or two just prior to the annual oil change. I'm using a sampling device that pulls oil from the dipstick port and puts it directly in the sample bottle. Just have to be careful to take oil from the middle of the sump and not the bottom where the sludge sits. (Dealer does my annual oil change so any sludge comes out them.)

My driving is in benign conditions but I'm curious.

-- Chuck

Not heard of any places that do such an analysis, good prove to be interesting. Good tip though, thank you.

I only do used replacement engines and never had an issue. It is nice to hear one run before you buy it though.

The only places that sell used engines is the local breakers yard. When I say 'yard' , its more like a huge market, about an hours drive south of Riyadh. Can usually find parts for most motors out there. Of course, by this stage, the engines have been stripped and ready for sale.

The workshop doing the work on my Expy went down to the breakers yard themselves and picked out the best condition engine they could find. This was last Wednesday. The best one they could find was $3,200. ( 12,000 Saudi Riyals)

This morning I went down to the workshop before going to work, just to check the progress as I'd not heard from them. Arrived to see the Expy in the workshop bay, replacement engine fitted and idling away, technician was topping up all the fluids. I have left it with them, might have it back tonight or maybe tomorrow. Have told them to make sure it's road tested and everything is fine, eg no leaks, no warning lights etc.

Will update when I get it back. Hope it's soon - paying daily for a rental car, which is adding to already high cost of the repairs.
 
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nottmbantam

nottmbantam

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So, picked it up last night, with the replacement engine newly fitted. Also had new brake pads done. Not had the chance to drive it that much, but having to get used to the size of it again, I've been driving around in a small Hyundai rental for the best part of a month.

It feels a little quicker than previously, the acceleration seems little more responsive than before and when idling, sounds quieter than the old one. If that was such in bad state, then it's understandable why the replacement engine sounds and feels better.

Total cost coming in at around 19,000 Saudi Riyals, around $5,000. This includes the main dealer initially stripping the engine and diagnosing the fault ( approx $1000 ) , then procuring a replacement engine ( $3,200 ) , and then indy workshop labour ( $400 ) and all the parts that were needed, gaskets, hoses, fluids , etc ($400 ) .

Still thinking about downgrading from 20" to 18" wheels, will carry on thinking about that once my wallet has recovered....
 
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