Advice and shop needed near Greensboro NC

[Richard_S]

Well I waited too long to replace a roller rocker and it bit me in the ass. It started as a light ticking and never got any worse. Then about a month later it all of a sudden let go and the engine stopped and when I cranked it over it sounded like one cylinder was lacking compression. When I eventually got around to taking off the valve cover my worse fear was realized. When the rocker failed it popped the valve and the keepers came off and the valve is down inside the cylinder now. I wouldn't mind puting a scope into the spark plug hole to look but I haven't yet. I'm bummed. So now the question. This vehicle is in excellent condition otherwise and has been a highway queen its whole life. 2012 with 230k. I'm debating having the engine torn down and evaluated or just buying a crate engine, or trading it off or selling. Are there any good engine guys here in Greensboro?? Someone I could talk to?

Thank you,
Richard

 

[Flexpedition]

2012 with 230k. I'm debating having the engine torn down and evaluated or just buying a crate engine, or trading it off or selling.

Sorry to hear of your dilemma. Scope it, but I am skeptical it just bounced around in there, damage-free. That would be awesome but unlikely.

With the mileage and age, I personally would probably only consider a used junkyard engine with 100K. Door #2 would be to trade it as-is and live with what you get, which probably wouldn't be thaaaat much less than what it was worth this time last week. Given the thousands of these on the road and market, I would not be able to make a business case to support a crate engine. Trying to peddle it on your own is upto you, but in my experience from Marketplace and Craigslist this world is full of blood-sucking bottom-barrel'ers who want something for nothing. And they'll want it delivered to them.

Maybe consult with a tax accountant about donating it as-is to a 503c or similar if your finances could benefit from some charity.

If serious about fixing, a neighbor down the road a year or so ago replaced the engine in his older Camry or maybe Avalon. He is an older guy and had a mobile mechanic come to his house to do the work. I could see where those guys have lower overhead by not maintaining a shop, thus lower rates. I've never used one, but if you have the space, could be worth looking into. Hiring one of these just on a helper type basis might be a consideration if you have the know-how to DIY a replacement motor.

Good luck.

 

[JExpedition07]

Scope it....but if it didn’t damage anything you will still be in for more than a rocker. It scored that cam lobe pretty good and I’m betting oil pressure is low. Passenger side head? You’d be in for new timing chain tensioners and an oil pump to get pressure back to the passenger side head. I just did those parts on mine and the passenger phaser is much quieter now with oil pressure restored (re-used phasers).

 

[Richard_S]

Thanks for the replies. I still don't know what I'm going to do. EIther a salvage engine 59k miles for 2400 or have someone go through this engine and replace whats needed. Theres still alot of life left in this vehicle and its cheap to register and insure.

 

[07navi]

At 230k miles I disagree there is a lot more miles in that vehicle and a crate engine is way overkill for it also. If the piston isn't broken and the walls aren't torn up you could fix it and come out OK but even a junk yard motor is barely worth putting in it. People get attached to their cars but face it; the whole thing has 230k miles on it.

 

[Trainmaster]

People get attached to their cars but face it; the whole thing has 230k miles on it.

It's over, Dude. Unless you have no money and need a hobby, time to move on. Its earned its retirement.

 

[JExpedition07]

Disagree with those saying the truck is done. I’ve seen yours on here and you have an immaculate 2012 with all highway miles if I recall. Highway is about 10% of city. If you do anything sell it! Plenty of people will put time and sweat in that truck to drive that instead of an ugly old dog with low miles. Miles don’t mean a thing when the wear components are replaced as they wear out. I purchased my 2007 with now 160k with its share of issues and fixed them with Ford parts. I’d never give up my high mileage 3rd gen for a low mileage 1st gen, it’s a better ride in every single way and a newer one costs too much $$. These babies are good for 300k+ easy.

 

[07navi]

Some are good for 300k miles but most aren't.

 

[Aspen03]

Unless it gets prohibitively expensive I'll fix anything that pops up on my 03. Aside from rocker rust its solid and never been in an accident. Pushing 221k now and runs fantastic. If I had to put 1500-2k into it tomorrow or buy another vehicle the choice would be easy and would get the $ thrown at it as the next one could be even worse. Always a gamble on another vehicle unless you're buying new.

 

[joethefordguy]

I would be surprised if you could get that engine repaired for less than 3500 anywhere. If you can get a 59k engine for 2400, i’d consider that.

 

[RichardH]

Unless it gets prohibitively expensive I'll fix anything that pops up on my 03. Aside from rocker rust its solid and never been in an accident. Pushing 221k now and runs fantastic. If I had to put 1500-2k into it tomorrow or buy another vehicle the choice would be easy and would get the $ thrown at it as the next one could be even worse. Always a gamble on another vehicle unless you're buying new.

Much agreed. I spent time and $$$ sorting out issues on my '03 EB 5.4

Knock on wood, but I have 95%+ of all niggles sorted. Waiting to see if I can hit several more cycles to get rid of the P0442 after new gas cap ordered.

Small items left, not too critical to me right now, but will take care of myself: rear plastic gear I believe for blend door 'clicking' (aware of the fix), minor cosmetic - scratch needs touch up, replace driver's door tint to TX max % allowed (couple of ripples), consider clay bar routine and wax after summer. No garage and too hot here.

Engine and trans fine, zero leaks.

Anyhow, I plan of keeping this for several more years. Of course it's paid for, paid cash about a year ago. I like no payment. Makes repairs more palatable.

Here are two pics. Cleaned the steering wheel up since...

 

[Richard_S]

Update! I had a used 90k mile engine installed and then drove to Atlantic Beach for a long weekend. It runs terrific, just like it did before it sat for months and months. My kids are going to use it when I'm traveling. I took one of my kids driving the other day and she prefers it to our Explorer, go figure.
Thank you all for your opinions!

I'm glad I put the used motor in it. I already knew the vehicle and its history and hope I can get another 3 or 4 years out of it.

EDIT 8-14-20
I drove it 1400 miles this week and at first when starting up when cold it made quite a bit of noise. Also if I went through a drive thru and tipped the throttle I could hear the slight rattle from the echo of the brick wall. I've noticed progressively over the last week the noises have completely gone away cold startup and when warmed and the oil is still clean and hasn't lost a drop. It has an unlimited mileage 6 month warranty so I think its going to be fine. I'm really happy to have it back going down the highway like it always has.