Decision to make - 05 blown Tranny & Engine Problems

[mixerjv]

I'm a big fan of Ford's but this one is testing me:

05 Expedition, only 87,000 miles:

Transmission no 3rd (or 4th). Probable Direct Clutch failuire. No codes. Not seleniod issue nor the common snap ring/ e clip OD failure. Workaround has been to keep it under 45mph with OD switch off.

Engine: the imfamous RH CVT knocking, probable phaser issue. But more important is there is oil in coolant and "mayonaise" visable upon opening oil fill cap. I had to replace the alternator and upon removing the top coolant hose found oil sludge inside.

I've already replaced the Fuel Pump Driver module and the drive-by-wire throttle body.

Still owe $$$ on loan on truck (owe about $2-3K more than it's worth IF it was running) or I would cut my losses and get rid of it.

Options:

1) Full on Ford dealer transmission and engine with 36 month warranties. Probably well over $11,000. Non starter for obvious cost reasons.

2) Buy another daily driver and do the work myself. Pull the tranny, rebuild myself, pull the engine, redo the head gaskets, put a new phaser kit (timing belts, etc). Probably be around $2K. Defintetly on the outer edge of my mechanical capabilities.

3) local shops, still probably $8K? Still outside of my price range.

4) do my best to fix tranny, get it back in, and drive as long as I can with the probable blown head gasket. I can't see putting in a ford or third party rebuilt tranny with the possibiliity the engine could blow right after. Wondering if the radiator is subject to cross contaminate the tranny cooler portion if oil pressure is leaking into the coolant system.

Thoughts?

 

[igozumn]

Retail pricing on the engine is around $5000 and the trans (either 2wd or 4wd) is around $2200. If you found somebody willing to do you a favor, even at $300 over cost on both, you're still looking at $4k for the engine and $2k for the trans. Plus your extras and labor.

Maybe see if there is a used engine and transmission available somewhere. You'll still have labor and such, and not really any warranty (90 days usually), but you might be able to get an engine for $1500 or less?????? Trans, well, I'd almost spring for a reman.

Sleep on it. Explore your options.

 

[stamp11127]

How many electronic transmissions have you rebuilt? Do you have the tools to rebuild it properly? Do you have the ability to properly clean all the components?
Mistakes here can get expensive.
Same deal with the engine concerning experience.

 

[mixerjv]

I've rebuilt engines but never a transmission. I do have an extensive set of tools including parts washer, press, engine stand, engine lift, tranny lift, and a two car garage. Car is off ground by about 21" on 12 ton jacks. I don't have all the special tools for the transmission. I've started and have the driveshafts off, but having second thoughts before I drop the pan & fluid.

I have about a $3000 budget to solve this (at least for 6 months), but I need a daily driver soon, so I'm now debating having the tranny fixed professionally and hoping the engine lasts OR buying a new daily driver and tackle the blown engine/tranny myself without time constraints.

The key is whether the engine will last with a potential blown head gasket, and whether I'm making it worse by possibly ruining a good short block.

If I didn't owe $$$ on it - it would be on craiglist now for whatever I could get.

Any thoughts on how long I could/should go with oil/coolant issue? I would do a compression check, but I haven't changed the infamous plugs yet....... and would prefer to do so with the heads off if I'm going to pull it anyway in the long run. Again I have no mil codes as of yet.