looking at a 15 EL XLT. engine sounds?

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sjwelds

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Would you give $21k for it, plus taxes and fees etc?
 

JExpedition07

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That is not a good sounding engine...I wouldn’t give them 10 grand for that truck sounding like that lol. That sounds like the timing chain rattle/ possible piston skirt issue or something. She is LOUD. Other than that interior and exterior are good shape.....but that sound is a huge red flag, possibly why it was traded in? I’d keep looking. The EcoBoosts are pretty quiet in my experience besides a light tick from the HPFP.
 
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I’d have a tough time buying a soda pop out of their vending machine with that “just serviced” comment at the beginning of the video and the motor sounding like that.

I’d offer them 10k and get a Livernois pro shortblock, upgraded turbos, a tune, and run that.
But I bet the won’t take 10k.
 

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I'd say go to a every used car dealer in your comfortable driving range, and listen to other 3.5L ecoboost engines. Preferably the same year as that one. Note the engine noise. Use autotrader/cargurus to find dealers that are nearby that have Expeditions on the lot.

I will say that Black XTL EL looks exactly like mine, and I've seen a ton of them on the road too. My guess is that this was a very popular fleet/rental model that are now flooding the market. So if you like this one, chances are there are a dozen more for you out there.
 
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sjwelds

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I'd say go to a every used car dealer in your comfortable driving range, and listen to other 3.5L ecoboost engines. Preferably the same year as that one. Note the engine noise. Use autotrader/cargurus to find dealers that are nearby that have Expeditions on the lot.

I will say that Black XTL EL looks exactly like mine, and I've seen a ton of them on the road too. My guess is that this was a very popular fleet/rental model that are now flooding the market. So if you like this one, chances are there are a dozen more for you out there.

Exactly right. Just was commenting to my wife about how there seemed to be either black or white when it came to Expeditions. And even more black than white.

I will say this for that particular dealership: they aren't pushy or evasive about these things. I emailed the salesman back and told him that I thought the engine noise was excessive etc, and I was gonna pass on this one, and he did not try to convince me otherwise. I can appreciate that.
 

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It definitely sounds terrible. I know several people w the 3.5 and none of them sound remotely like that. Good call on passing it up.

Dealers are crazy what they think they can get out of some of these vehicles. While looking before I picked up my 03 I drove about 50mi to go see a '11 EL Limited w 140k for 11k. I get there, half the electrical doesn't power up...no seats, radio, rear ac/radio controls. Overhead video had been removed and sunroof didnt close properly. I drove it anyway so I knew how a poor vehicle would present itself while I continued the search. When I handed the keys back I think they could sense me holding back laughing at them for even offering it for sale and asked if I wanted to make an offer. I laughed, said 5k. It needs an unknown number of hours of electrical diagnostics plus whatever parts oh and probably a new sunroof, btw did you know someone stole the video unit and broke the screens in the headrest too and then was nice enough to lock it back up for ya? Lady told me to get out. Lol. I had cruised around and sat in the ac in their vehicle while shopping for other cars and ended up finding my current vehicle in the process. I dont feel bad because it was grossly misrepresented. It's still being advertised nearly 9 months later for the same price.
 
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sjwelds

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I just dunno what to think. The more I think about it the more I wonder if I should just upgrade to a 13 or 14 and retain the 5.4 V8. I know it has issues of it's own, but right now I trust it more than the EcoBoost engines. That may change tomorrow though lol. I haven't driven an EcoBoost either....

Not looking to start a 5.4 vs 3.5 war, there's a plenty of those discussions on here already.
 

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I just dunno what to think. The more I think about it the more I wonder if I should just upgrade to a 13 or 14 and retain the 5.4 V8. I know it has issues of it's own, but right now I trust it more than the EcoBoost engines. That may change tomorrow though lol. I haven't driven an EcoBoost either....

Not looking to start a 5.4 vs 3.5 war, there's a plenty of those discussions on here already.


Based on what I've been reading, the 5.4L 3v problems are annoyances and can be addressed and straightened out pretty easily, plus there are plenty of well-maintained engines out there that will be ok well past 200,000 miles on original parts.

The piston skirt issues on the EcoBoost starting to act up at 20,000 miles and requiring a new engine are unacceptable, not to mention the turbo problems and other wear associated with running at higher pressures. I would be extremely paranoid of getting one of these used with no warranty, to be honest.


My 2014 SSV in near perfect shape with 132,000 miles cost me exactly $6800 USD after conversion. It came from a tiny police force from the Canadian North and it looks like they never had anyone other than the driver in it. The inside, outside and the chassis are clean, with no rust anywhere. Paint is still great all around. So far, the truck has been solid and drives / handles like new (government fleet is always well maintained). I also appreciate the fact that the SSV package has all the necessities (4x4, column shifter, skid plates, etc), but none of the useless infotainment bullsh*t I don't need or want. I couldn't have asked for more, honestly.

I do plan on doing the timing upgrade with the Melling high volume oil pump and upgraded timing tensioners + guides in the summer, just for the peace of mind. I'll probably swap out the passenger side cam phaser and rocker arms while I'm at it too. All relatively easy to do, with no need to remove the engine from the truck. Once this is done, the powertrain on this thing will surely outlast many EcoBoosts!

;)
 
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762mm

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Original pictures from the dealer where I bought it. Would you pay $6800 for it? 132k miles and no mechanical issues whatsoever... brand new tires already on it, Kevlar-reinforced.

and yes, it came with the Setina pushbar! :)

005.jpg

002.jpg
 
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JExpedition07

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I’d also drive some competitors if shopping just for a feel (Suburban, Yukon, Durango). The EcoBoosts are fine and problem free for the most part- really, so is the Triton V8. For me it would depend which was the better deal and in better shape more than the engine/trim level or +/- a year or two. That applies to cross shopping competitors too. I was open to all trim levels of GM and Ford. Ended up in another Expy (price, features, low end grunt) won out for ford in my case. I do enjoy this loaded up Eddie Bauer. The climate control seats and power liftgate have become my favorite features on it.
 
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sjwelds

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Yeah, not gonna go away from an Expedition. We like our 08 Eddie Bauer too much. Only reason we're even considering upgrading is to get into an EL. We need/want more room.

Interesting on your Eddie Bauer @JExpedition07 , ours is an 08 and doesn't have CC seats or power lift gate.
 

JExpedition07

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Ah, mine has what Ford called the Eddie Bauer Convenience Package which includes a bunch of goodies.
 

762mm

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Be careful with GM and Dodge. The quality control has been going downhill for over a decade (GM) or for many decades (Dodge).

This video talks about pickups, but since the full size SUV's are based off of them, it's equally applicable :


 
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Aspen03

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I wouldnt hesitate to own a 3.5. It's not a bad motor, has issues like any other, just be smart about purchase, it has about 10years of history at this point. I wouldnt think it should be to hard to get one w a warranty for some peace of mind. I likely will whenever we end up getting a 15+. Hoping in the next 6 months or so. I've seen quite a few low mile ones around here. What I cant find is one w reasonable miles. The 25k mile ones are bit outside of our budget but then it seems like the have 100k and up. Very few I see in the 50k range, at least in a limited EL or similar.
 

JExpedition07

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There’s always the Ford Focus (lol). I like the idea of the aluminum body here in NY so when I finish out the degree maybe look at used 2018+ expys...not in the stars now. For now just put new Michelin’s on my 2007 (not cheap) so will be running it until this rubber is worn out lol.
 
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sjwelds

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How does this one sound? The camera was really close so not sure what to think about it.
 
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