New here, need advice on 2014 Expy EL possible purchase...and rust

[CatsCourage]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here. I don't have an Expy EL...yet. We are seriously looking though. Had a 2005 Excursion and loved it, but after major rust and other issues we sold it.
Anyway, I love the Ford Excursion still, but it isn't practical for us anymore. Would love advice on purchasing a used Expy EL and do not want to spend a lot. Found a 2014 Expy EL Limited that is nice...except for the rust underneath by the doors, under one of the doors and the bubbling paint on the liftgate. Is it worth $8000? Would really appreciate your input. It is a 5.4L, V8. Thanks!

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Generally speaking, NO, it's not really worth that much IMHO.

But depending on the mileage & condition of the rest of the vehicle & how well it's been maintained (or not), I would probably offer ~$6k, which would you leave you ~$2k for the rust repairs and get you a pretty solid vehicle going forward.....

When I bought my '011 in '21, it had nearly zero rust, only 56k miles, and I got the dealer to install 5 brand new tires, new weathertech floor mats front, middle & back, and new inspection & emissions stickers, all for just a tad more than you are contemplating spending on that rusty ole gal, so YOU do the math, hahahaha

 

[GlennSullivan]

With that much rust visible, I would arrange to have it put up on a lift to perform a detailed inspection of the frame, suspension, running gear and fluid lines. If additional rust (other than surface) is showing in any of these areas, just stay away from it, no matter the cost.

You should also be willing to pay more than 8 for a lower mile, clean vehicle with little or no rust.

 

[CatsCourage]

Thank you so much for your responses, GlennSullivan and BigOleFordFan. What you both said makes total sense. We decided with all the rust that it was too much of a risk of other potential issues. We are looking at a 2017 Ford Expedition EL Limited that looks very clean, not seeing a ton of rust and looks garage kept. Mileage though is 155K and cost is $12k.
It is so hard to find the balance between cost/reliability/wear/rust and what I want on the vehicle (secondary).
At 120k the following was done per CARFAX:

• Engine checked
• Engine serviced
• Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
• Oil and filter changed
• Timing belt/chain replaced
• Timing belt/chain tensioner replaced
• Water pump gasket replaced -
• Is this good or bad that had this issue and was repaired? Any suggestions are welcome! We've been looking for over 2 months for the right fit for us and I am not wanting to just "jump" but need a reliable Great Pyrenees friendly vehicle!

The other Expy EL is a 2017 XLT, with 139k miles, and $11k, no major work on it, but regular maintenance done haven't checked rust yet but is a contender.
Thanks!

 

[GlennSullivan]

Thank you so much for your responses, GlennSullivan and BigOleFordFan. What you both said makes total sense. We decided with all the rust that it was too much of a risk of other potential issues. We are looking at a 2017 Ford Expedition EL Limited that looks very clean, not seeing a ton of rust and looks garage kept. Mileage though is 155K and cost is $12k.
It is so hard to find the balance between cost/reliability/wear/rust and what I want on the vehicle (secondary).
At 120k the following was done per CARFAX:

• Engine checked
• Engine serviced
• Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
• Oil and filter changed
• Timing belt/chain replaced
• Timing belt/chain tensioner replaced
• Water pump gasket replaced -
• Is this good or bad that had this issue and was repaired? Any suggestions are welcome! We've been looking for over 2 months for the right fit for us and I am not wanting to just "jump" but need a reliable Great Pyrenees friendly vehicle! Thanks!

Any time you get into high mileage Ford vehicles, you are going to run into things like VVT and chain tensioners as well as the turbos on 15 16 and 17. I would have a Ford dealer run an OASIS report on the vehicle to determine what issues it has had and everything that has been done.


I have a 2017 with 61,000 miles, have changed the oil religiously at 3500 to 4000 and have not run into those problems yet, but vehicles that have not been well maintained tend to have more issues. There are also a number of recalls for this model year. which include the braking system, the heater blower motor and some other things. There is a new brake recall that a fix is not yet available, so that will certainly show up.

You should put the VIN number in the NHTSA lookup tool here https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

 

[CatsCourage]

Thanks Glenn, that makes total sense. So the "clean" 2017 EL Limited having some of those gasket and tensioner issues might be an issue down the road considering its 155k miles? Do you think the EL XLT with less miles and less work done on it is a better possibility?
I do look at where the vehicle has been and whether it's been to auction as well as how regularly the vehicle has been maintenanced and had oil changes.
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain these things. My husband is pretty knowledgeable, but he is busy with his jobs and working on our 2013 Suburban LTZ that has already had the transmission replaced, the misfire issue that required the rebuild of the bottom of the engine and now the air shocks are needing work. All that said, the Sub has over 200,000 miles on it.
Thanks again
And I will check out the link you mentioned.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Thank you so much for your responses, GlennSullivan and BigOleFordFan. What you both said makes total sense. We decided with all the rust that it was too much of a risk of other potential issues. We are looking at a 2017 Ford Expedition EL Limited that looks very clean, not seeing a ton of rust and looks garage kept. Mileage though is 155K and cost is $12k.
It is so hard to find the balance between cost/reliability/wear/rust and what I want on the vehicle (secondary).
At 120k the following was done per CARFAX:

• Engine checked
• **Engine serviced**
• Intake manifold gasket(s) replaced
• Oil and filter changed
• Timing belt/chain replaced
• Timing belt/chain tensioner replaced
• Water pump gasket replaced -
• Is this good or bad that had this issue and was repaired? Any suggestions are welcome! We've been looking for over 2 months for the right fit for us and I am not wanting to just "jump" but need a reliable Great Pyrenees friendly vehicle!

The other Expy EL is a 2017 XLT, with 139k miles, and $11k, no major work on it, but regular maintenance done haven't checked rust yet but is a contender.
Thanks!

I would need to know what "ENGINE SERVICED" means...

If it is just those things listed below it, then those are somewhat normal for a higher-mileage/aged Expy, and at $12k, I would consider this one, but OTOH, I would also seriously consider the one with 139K @11k, AFTER a thorough inspection, of course

 

[CatsCourage]

Wise advice, indeed! Thank you!

 

[GlennSullivan]

Cat, you really have to consider where you are buying the vehicle from. Take me as an example, my 17 is one owner, all service was either at dealer or by me. So if someone was buying from me, I can provide a complete record from day 1, half of which will show on carfax, because oil, brakes and tires were by me.

On the other hand, if you are buying from a dealer or second or third owner, you may be isolated from the majority of the service history, which with modern Fords, is super, super important.

 

[CatsCourage]

Thanks Glenn. I am truly learning as I go and I really appreciate your wisdom and experience here! I have found some lower mileage Expy ELs for a little more money. Like you, my husband does a lot of the repairs on the vehicle (so grateful for the $$$ saved and his willingness to do it) but then the repairs like this on a 2015 with only 126k miles for $16,500 of which I would offer $14,500 include:
And this sends me back to the drawing board. The vehicle was serviced regularly per carfax and it looks to be in great condition otherwise.

• Differential fluid flushed/changed
• Engine idle/timing adjusted
• Exhaust manifold gasket replaced
• Exhaust manifold replaced
• Oil and filter changed
• Pinion seal(s) replaced
• Timing belt/chain replaced
• Timing belt/chain tensioner replaced
• Turbocharger checked
• and spark plugs replaced.
• I don't know if things are the same by you, but in Illinois, the bigger dealers tack on $2000-2500k for "prep" and "warranty" which I always refuse. The smaller dealers have to be checked out as well as they sometimes get the cars that don't sell from auction or the bigger dealers. Again, thank you for your time and patience. I really want an Expedition EL with the features that I want on it. But more importantly, I want the best chance at reliability and longevity in a vehicle. Thanks again, I am learning so much!

 

[GlennSullivan]

I've dealt with car dealers in NE, MN, IL, MI, IN, NY, CT and Fl (the last 2 vehicles I bought were MN and IL) and honestly I think dealers everywhere are working off the same playbook these days.

Take your time, find as much history as you can on any target vehicle - don't rely solely on CarFax, because both good and bad info can be missing. When you zero in on something do a thorough test drive and detailed inspection - if hubby is capable to evaluate, great, if not pay someone.

At the end of the day, you will be trading dollars for years / miles. Older, higher mile vehicles with unclear service history will cost less initially but maybe more in the long run, while newer, lower mile, 1 owner vehicles with detailed history will cost more initially, and likely less in the long run, but still not guaranteed.

Good luck. there are a lot of smart, experienced people on this board, so continue to ask questions.

 

[Lee Hartwig]

Be sure to check the radiator support, if rusted really big bucks.

 

[1111ExpyEL1111]

You should pull a Carfax on any vehicle you are considering. Look and see where the vehicle was originally purchased or leased. If it was from the middle or Southern States are out in Arizona, California, Etc., you should see very little to no rust. There's lots of expeditions out there for sale, well I don't know where you live but where I live there are. And I have a 2012 El and the left side Mainframe from front to back has a fair amount of rust through. The right Mainframe is fine. But I agree with others get it up on a voice and have it checked out in any used car you ever buy you should always have it checked out by a reputable mechanic. I did this all via voice to text so I apologize for any stupid looking errors!

 

[CatsCourage]

Thanks so much everyone! We are looking at the 2015 Expy EL today with 126K with the work done on it that I listed further back in this thread. The other thing I noticed on the carfax is that it had "decarbon service" done on it. Though I have looked it up, I am concerned what this means for the longevity of the vehicle. Can anyone tell me is that a deal breaker? This is a one owner Expy and it came from Canada. That's new.
Also we will be looking at a 2017 with 155k...I know higher mileage and it had a lot of the same engine work. Looks garage kept, but will look at in person and test drive.
All these dealers are so far away for us, so it is tough driving at least an hour each way and then the time reviewing the vehicle. I am very leery at this point!
I need wheels as I haven't had a vehicle in 1.5 years! Yeah. In all fairness, I have been finishing my college degree and had very little time to do anything else! (I am in my 60s!)
Thanks, to everyone who is helping us navigate the used Ford Expedition EL buying circus!

 

[bb37]

I had a 2015 Expedition XLT non-EL. Traded it in right at 100,000 miles. Nothing wrong with it...just wanted something new.

"Decarbon service" is intended to address the carbon build-up in the intake ports and back of the intake valves. This is common with direct injected engines. On a port injected engine, fuel is injected into the intake port upstream from the valves. That fuel tends to wash away the carbon build-up. On direct injected engines, high-pressure fuel is injected directly into the cylinder (like on a Diesel engine) so there's no washing in the intake port.

Some decarbon services are done with chemicals, some are done by removing the intake manifold and blasting the intake ports with ground walnut shells. The chemical service is non-invasive, but some question its effectiveness. The walnut blasting is invasive, but generally more effective.

Either service should prolong the life of the vehicle. Just be aware that some service shops use these services to enhance their profit.

In 2018, Ford changed the 3.5 Echoboost V-6 in the Expedition so that it has both port and direct injection. The port injectors run at low speed and low load allegedly to wash the intake port.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Also please remember that the only stuff that shows up on a CarFax (or other brand) History report is stuff that was REPORTED to them by whomever did the work....

ALOT of shops do NOT report things to them, therefore it would not be listed, therefore those "new tie rods & ball joints" or "Exhaust Manifold & Muffler" that Jody & Bob's Auto Shop installed could have been done last month, or 5 years ago, but you still wouldn't know cause it isn't on the report....

Just a thought

 

[CatsCourage]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of your very helpful responses!
This now 3 month search is exhausting. We are having to travel 1-1.5 hours one way for test drives and viewing the vehicle even after researching and talking extensively with the dealers.
Some of the stuff these dealerships try to pull is unbelievable. We thought we had a good one (2017 Expy EL) but they wouldn't come down in price and then told us they would rather wholesale it or give it to auction!
Anyway, not sure if this is okay to post here, but it is essentially the same vehicle (?)
We found a 2016 Lincoln Navigator L Select (not my first choice because they are well, ugly and I like utility, not fluffy). It is in good shape other than one running board (deploying) not working and needing replacement, minimal rust in great shape and around 130K miles.
Is this even worth considering? Is it the same as the Ford Expy EL? I have nicknamed it the FLincoln!
Please let me know your thoughts. Still hoping for a Ford Expy EL to magically appear in my driveway!
Have a great day!

 

[GlennSullivan]

Cat
The market and availability of vehicles changes every day. I’m assuming you are searching the following sites. If not, you should be.

www.autotrader.com
www.carfax.com
www.cars.com
www.cargurus.com

There are decent vehicles out there but they may not be where you want them to be.

 

[CatsCourage]

Hey Glenn, you are right, I check all those sites daily, still nothing. I will continue my search! So what do you think of the Flincoln I mentioned?
Thanks!

 

[GlennSullivan]

Hey Glenn, you are right, I check all those sites daily, still nothing. I will continue my search! So what do you think of the Flincoln I mentioned?
Thanks!

I don’t have any personal experience with Navigator ownership or operation, so I’m the wrong person to provide comparisons. They are built with the same chassis / basic body / engine / drivetrain. The Lincoln is tuned for slightly more HP, has softer suspension tuning and in theory better interior. Repairs probably more expensive.