Hello all, new comer here, and looking for advice/help, so thank you in advance. A quick backround, I have close to no real knowledge or experience working on cars/engines etc. I am a vehicle dummy, but have had great success on things i did repair via youtube videos and lots of research, so i am a very handy, and capable person. Im very comfortable with Building, repairing, tools, carpentry etc. So im capable of doing this type of work, with the right guidance. I recently received a $3800 estimate/kiss of death for a timing chain replacement kit +phasers for my 2005 expedition king ranch edition, which has 230,000 miles on it, but has run like a gem for the 5 years i had it (zero problems aside of general maintenance). The truck is currently running fine, but with some rattling in the timing chain area that started awhile back. The problem recently began with a check engine light and error code p0340. I started trouble shooting with the camshaft position sensors, crankshaft sensor, and finally had to bring it to a pro. The timing chain is his diagnoses. So I have 4 options-
1) Pay for this repair ($3800 + whatever comes up during the repair)-- not a great option for a 2005 with 230,000 miles on it
2)Sell the truck for a few grand since its still running and is a beautiful truck, and try to put a down payment and finance something newer
3) Put a newer engine in it if i can for under $6k and get a few more years out of her (assuming everything else is in decent condition)-- Being a vehicle dummy, i dont even know if this is a realistic option
4) try and repair it myself.
Money is not a giant issue as far as finding a solution. I have the money to do whats best, but figuring out whats best is the key. Im not "balling" as they say, so if i could get some more life out of this girl for $2k or less, id love to, anything above that is worth considering moving on.
I have a first initial (and silly) question so i can begin doing the research and effort on my own. I found a great 4 part video on you tube here - YOUTUBE FORD ENGINE REPAIR
It states this video is for a ford 5.4L 3v Engine. But my 2005 expedition engine is a 5.4L V8. Aside from the differences in these engines, can anyone please confirm if this video walkthrough would work on my engine as well? or just the 3 valve. It seems a lot of people have had success following that video, and ive had a lot of success with my truck repairs via youtube help. I feel confident this video along with a lot of other reading up will get me to my goal. I just cannot find a solid answer on if this repair on the 5.4L 3v will work on the 5.4L V8. If this is stupid/obvious, im sorry. But this is my starting point.
With that being said, generally, can anyone offer any small tips/lessons while attempting this? I intend on buying the ford oem parts, and the necessary tools. I have a large workshop full of tools, and plenty of capable and smart friends with relative experience in this stuff, just not timing chains specifically. My fear is once I get into the repair, i dont know enough to observe any other issues or problems, but alas, my mechanic was going to do a timing chain kit and phasers, so thats what id like to attempt. The mechanic said until he actually gets into the timing chain and looks at it, he cant say exactly what it may need, but that was beyond the normal diagnosis. He DID do a oil pressure test which he says is the first thing to check to see if its even worth saving the engine. Oil pressure came back at 35 psi and he said thats good, and onto the timing chain. Thank you so much for reading this and any time you have to offer some guidance. Im confident i can get this done with a little help.. and thus far, figuring out if this video applies to my engine is the first small hurdle.. Thank you!
1) Pay for this repair ($3800 + whatever comes up during the repair)-- not a great option for a 2005 with 230,000 miles on it
2)Sell the truck for a few grand since its still running and is a beautiful truck, and try to put a down payment and finance something newer
3) Put a newer engine in it if i can for under $6k and get a few more years out of her (assuming everything else is in decent condition)-- Being a vehicle dummy, i dont even know if this is a realistic option
4) try and repair it myself.
Money is not a giant issue as far as finding a solution. I have the money to do whats best, but figuring out whats best is the key. Im not "balling" as they say, so if i could get some more life out of this girl for $2k or less, id love to, anything above that is worth considering moving on.
I have a first initial (and silly) question so i can begin doing the research and effort on my own. I found a great 4 part video on you tube here - YOUTUBE FORD ENGINE REPAIR
It states this video is for a ford 5.4L 3v Engine. But my 2005 expedition engine is a 5.4L V8. Aside from the differences in these engines, can anyone please confirm if this video walkthrough would work on my engine as well? or just the 3 valve. It seems a lot of people have had success following that video, and ive had a lot of success with my truck repairs via youtube help. I feel confident this video along with a lot of other reading up will get me to my goal. I just cannot find a solid answer on if this repair on the 5.4L 3v will work on the 5.4L V8. If this is stupid/obvious, im sorry. But this is my starting point.
With that being said, generally, can anyone offer any small tips/lessons while attempting this? I intend on buying the ford oem parts, and the necessary tools. I have a large workshop full of tools, and plenty of capable and smart friends with relative experience in this stuff, just not timing chains specifically. My fear is once I get into the repair, i dont know enough to observe any other issues or problems, but alas, my mechanic was going to do a timing chain kit and phasers, so thats what id like to attempt. The mechanic said until he actually gets into the timing chain and looks at it, he cant say exactly what it may need, but that was beyond the normal diagnosis. He DID do a oil pressure test which he says is the first thing to check to see if its even worth saving the engine. Oil pressure came back at 35 psi and he said thats good, and onto the timing chain. Thank you so much for reading this and any time you have to offer some guidance. Im confident i can get this done with a little help.. and thus far, figuring out if this video applies to my engine is the first small hurdle.. Thank you!
