Farewell To My Expedition

[Ulver]

My 2001 4.6 began knocking a while back, and I just diagnosed it as play in the piston on cylinder 8. I brought the piston to TDC, let off a bit and pushed down into the spark plug hole with an extension and I felt the infamous "knock" play and verified it about 4 more times. I'm sure that this was all due to low oil consumption and not keeping on top of it. No shop wants to fix it, but only swap engines. So if anyone can learn from my mistake, I would say to always keep on top of your oil!

I've decided to sell it, which unfortunately I've poured a lot of money and sweat into the vehicle. Many things are new, and besides that piston wrist pin (or) bearing being shot it would be a long lasting vehicle. Transmission is new, heads are reconditioned, new timing kit, cats are new, pumps are new, hoses, struts, brakes, etc. It's a shame really but I remain positive that I'll get something worth while.

I enjoyed my time on here and I'll come around every now and then to help people.

My question is with all of the new parts and fixes I've done to this vehicle, I'd imagine that it'll be difficult to make a bit of money off of it since the problem it has is so costly?

 

[timo482]

Part it out?

 

[Trainmaster]

Sorry to hear its time has come. Twenty-two years is a good run for a truck. It has earned its retirement.

 

[Fastcar]

Buy a short block.

 

[zfifty]

Maybe a good deal for someone up North with a good engine and rustbucket chassis.

 

[Ulver]

Thanks everyone. I'm now looking at a 2005 Eb with 168k miles on it. I searched the forums and saw that someone recommended that you only get one if there's been a new set of phasers and a new timing kit. Wonder if I can get that kind of info from the dealership.

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[Ulver]

I took the 2005 5.4 3v out for a test run today and it feels great. No ticking on startup, no leaks and it handles well. Only 1 owner who's taken great care of it. Dipstick oil is clean and everything is functional. I thought to myself if the cams ever were to go out, it should have already happened with 168k miles on it. This may be a winner.

 

[Fastcar]

I'm going to take a position that's rare for me, reason. First your truck your money. The one that your looking at has close to 170K on it. this truck could have a shit load of unknown problems. Your old truck has about new or rebuilt everything. You know your truck, every rattle, every sound. You could very well be doing everything to this new truck that you've done to the one you currently own in the next 10,000 miles.
Again, buy a short block, spend a week end and swap them. You'll save a ton of money and aggravation imo.

But, your money, make yourself happy!

 

[Tocapet]

cats are new, pumps are new, hoses, struts, brakes, etc. It's a shame really but I remain positive that I'll get something worth while.

I enjoyed my time on here and I'll come around every now and then to help people.

OK, I'm glad you offered. I have a 2009 EL with 130K on it. Still runs fine. I just discovered my heater hoses are leaking at the joints. I want to replace them and possibly just disconnect the rear heat. I would do this myself. But there are no hose clamps. How are these hoses held together? I just see black bands at the joints.

 

[Lobopup]

Sorry to hear about your expy. I agree with faster, get a shortblock! Question for y'all. I have a 99' with 178k on it. I need to replace the water pump tube under the intake because of a leak. But it got hot due to low water and now I have a knock. Oil is good and no oil leaks and it doesn't sound like it's coming from the top like a plug or coil issue. It does seem to come from the lower part of the engine. Any thoughts on what it might be? Am I looking at a shortblock too?! Hope not, but, been a great truck for 18 years now.

 

[Richard Gross]

Agree with those that say keep. I’d go one further, get a long block. Have had too many instances of mixed major components and when something goes wrong and you try for warranty, it was the other parts that did it, not theirs.

 

[Ulver]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had a look around and found this. Comes with the heads. https://www.powertrainproducts.net/...przZcWjqxmvS2P5jqIrTWeECmbJvoGnkaAgYREALw_wcB

I've used Powertain before when purchasing my transmission so I know they're good.

 

[Bilsto]

Sad to hear this. I keep wondering how long my engine's gonna last. I've got 253,000 on my 4.6. Everything on the truck is in fantastic condition, even a new trans. I keep wondering if it would be worthwhile, when the engine quits, to just put a new one in. It would probably be cheaper than buying a nice, comparable SUV or truck. Haven't worked this one out yet.

Good luck with your new truck!

 

[proftomda]

My advice. I’m the original owner of a 2001 4.6 Expo but I maintain many cars as a ASE tech, including my sons F150 with the 3 valve 5.4. In my opinion, the 2 valve 4.6 is a far superior, simpler and much more durable engine than the 3 valve 5.4. My 2001 4.6 is untouched internally at 250,000 miles but I have partially rebuilt my sons 3 valve twice and it only has 140,000 miles. Keep what you got, Ford made them better back then. Yes, you do have to watch that oil level closely.

 

[Fastcar]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had a look around and found this. Comes with the heads. https://www.powertrainproducts.net/...przZcWjqxmvS2P5jqIrTWeECmbJvoGnkaAgYREALw_wcB

I've used Powertain before when purchasing my transmission so I know they're good.

Hmmm I sorta thought the price is a bit strong but it's been a lot of years since I bought one. Having said that given today's prices, it's a good deal. I'd grab the install package as well. Will save you a bunch of messing around. Don't forget to pre lube it.
Good luck with it. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Bilsto]

Here's a cringeworthy story from when I got mine. I got it from my son-in-law in 2016. Seemed a little sluggish. I changed the oil right away. On the oil filter, the year was handwritten with a marker... 2012. I was pissed. Fortunately over the course of countless oil changes, the performance has gotten better and the oil comes out cleaner when I change it. But, 2012 - 2016... Oy.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Here's a cringeworthy story from when I got mine. I got it from my son-in-law in 2016. Seemed a little sluggish. I changed the oil right away. On the oil filter, the year was handwritten with a marker... 2012. I was pissed. Fortunately over the course of countless oil changes, the performance has gotten better and the oil comes out cleaner when I change it. But, 2012 - 2016... Oy.

Hopefully he only drove it 6K miles in those 4 years!

 

[Bilsto]

Hopefully he only drove it 6K miles in those 4 years!

Who knows? I'm glad the truck rebounded from that injustice though.

 

[jimbosidecar]

You mind if I ask you how much are you asking for your Expedition?

 

[Tocapet]

Well, every time I think about selling it, I need it for something. So, I guess I'll just keep it. I did some negotiating with the insurance co. and got some more discounts.