'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.

Sent from my Bag Phone using Tapatalk

 

[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.

Sent from my Galaxy SIII Using Tapatalk2

 

[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/



.

 

[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

 

[FordandPolaris]

Usually poor quality brake pads causes that. Some scrubbing will remove it, and ceramic pads will keep it from re-occurring. We ordered a Ford Shop Manual for my dad's 04 when the motor blew just in case we decided to rebuild it ourselves. It was like $140 bucks but money well spent in my opinion.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/repair-and-service-manuals/ford-expedition/c21503d612j1s21.jcwx

I have a Haynes manual for mine, and for the limited times I have actually used it, it has been fine. Most of the time I just do some hardcore googling for my answer. Much easier.

 

[buildingdoc]

Brake dust? Mine does it when I don't wash it. Also... if it turns into a parts car... I need roof rails... cheap and fast.

 

[FordandPolaris]

From Wikipedia:
When braking force is applied, the act of abrasive friction between the brake pad and the rotor wears both the rotor and pad away. The "brake dust" that is seen deposited on wheels, calipers and other braking system components consists mostly of rotor material.[35] Brake dust can damage the finish of most wheels if not washed off.[citation needed] Generally brake pad that aggressively abrades more rotor material away, such as metallic pads, will create more brake dust.

Since I switched to ceramics (and before I painted the chrome black) I noticed that the rims stayed cleaner much longer.

 

[Stephen]

So, for an update.
Got the Expy. Tore the door apart and determined it is just the switch. Hot wired the motor to get the window closed so I could drive it around in this frigid winter we are having. Took the switch apart but it appears to be in the circuit board so couldn't fix it myself.
Pushed on the center ceiling console and it snapped back into place.
OBD2 said misfire on Cylinder 3. Pulled the COP. Lots of nasty brown slime in the spark plug well. Checked the COP with an ohm meter. Nothing between the input + and the output. Replaced it. Pulled the spark plug. I have never seen a plug like that. See pictures. Replaced it. Seems to run fine now. Cleared the code and will see what comes after some miles are on it. Investment so far... $730 + 3 or 4 hours of work.
I think I got the good end of the stick on this one.

Stephen

 

[bedrck46]

Don't waste your money on a Clymer or Haynes Manual get the below manual on DVD
It is well worth the $10.00 just make sure you get the DVD for your year as the seller has different DVD's for different years

ford workshop manual on DVD can be obtained from seller "morpheousking" on e-bay cost about $10.00 much better than Clymer or Chilton and also includes wiring diagrams

 

[b514]

Wow, Stephen, you got a hell of a deal on that Expy!! Under $1500 for a well running 2003... Damn! You'd be hard pressed to even find pre-2000 Expys in good working condition at that price.

 

[Hamfisted]

Get a set of Akebono ceramic pads for the front brakes and you'll be free of the brake dust problem forever. Clean up the rims and they'll stay clean. You can get a new master window switch from Rock Auto for about $40 to fix that window problem. Not worth messing with the old switches, just replace 'em. Check the front suspension for worn out ball joints (lower and upper...) and the inner tie rods for play and it'll drive like new. Overall you got a great deal. Put a few bucks in it and enjoy it. The window switches short out if people leave the driver's window open or cracked and rain water gets into them...



-Mike



AirTex p/n 1S9201 switch...

Akebono ACT 934's for the front....

 

[Stephen]

Thanks for the tips guys.
Just remembered something else. There is no audio on the right side of the vehicle. Loose wires on the back of the head unit?

Stephen

 

[bedrck46]

First check your balance controls could be bad wiring or bad speakers

 

[Stephen]

315k mile update.
Blew a head gasket at 163k. Parked it in the garage and 11 months later pulled it out with everything rebuilt except the crank and pistons. Also had the tranny rebuilt for good measure. Added an Amsoil duel remote bypass filter, an 18k GVWR dedicated tranny cooler (cut out the in radiator). Rerouted the coolent for the heater out from under the intake and plugged that hole. Since 163, I've done typical consumables and 25k oil changes and I only run Amsoil in the engine and tranny. Did 1 rear wheel bearing. Also added 3 more kids to fill all the seats. Now, still running, but getting pretty worn out. Paint issues, 6 kids worth of interior love and just seems tired. It has been a good run. Looking to move to a 3rd gen EL for more room before this one croaks.