Auto Mechanics: Need an engine/installation for 2008 V6 Ford Escape

[theGinsue]

My daughters engine died last night on her 2008 V6 Ford Escape and we need to find the best price possible on a new engine & installation.

She really needs her vehicle to get to/from work & school (college).

The shop she had it towed to (John Senter North in COS) quoted her over $5K for a rebuilt engine installed. Her funds are limited so she's going to have to get a loan to get this covered.

Any auto mechanics that can get her a better deal?

Help me ObiWan Kenobi; you're my only hope!

[tmleadr03]

Yes. Get a low mileage take out. Labor shouldn't be much more then 1K. Should be able to get a used engine for 2K and then the gaskets and fluids and such for another 500 or so.

Keep in mind these are round numbers and you would need to call my shop tomorrow and ask Shannon for an estimate if you really wanted good numbers.

ETA: How do you know the engine is dead?

ETA2: I hate promising time on used parts like that. I had one vehicle I had to go through 3 engines to find a good one. So there is a up side to just getting a rebuilt one.

[theGinsue]

ETA: How do you know the engine is dead?


I was driving home from work and the check engine and battery lights came on and I lost power (died).

It wouldn't jump start, and when I tried to turn the engine over it made a weird "chirp" sound.

John Senter says I need a new engine, that there is something that has come loose from mine and by the time they get it out, apart and fixed and back together it would be more cost effective to just get a new engine. I'm waiting on a quote from them on how much [edit: John Senter quoted over $5K] but I've called a couple other places for quotes and got these:

New (likely rebuilds) - $4923, $5259 (two different places)
Used (pull outs) - $3033, $3129 (same two places, respectively).

We usually take our vehicles to John Senter Tire & Auto & they've always seemed honest, just not cheap. Then again, it could be they're looking for the easy way out to repair for themselves.

[tmleadr03]

The used engine is about right, keep in mind I don't really know on this one I am way more familiar with German stuff.


I just read the procedure for this job. The engine and transmission has to come out the bottom for this job and then split up. Plenty of one time use only nuts and bolts and special tools I do not own.

[theGinsue]

Dang. Sounds like this would put you out a LOT (such as getting tools for a US car).

Do know know any reputable folks who work on Fords?

[tmleadr03]

Dang. Sounds like this would put you out a LOT (such as getting tools for a US car).

Do know know any reputable folks who work on Fords?

I like buying tools. But I also want my customers to get their moneys worth out of me. And I do not have the experience with this one to really do you justice.

I am also booked out till almost the 24th right now. It also looks like you could just take the bumper/lights/radiator/AC out and pull it that way.

We have another mechanic on this site who does more Domestics I think down in CoSprings but for the life of me I can't remember his screen name.

[streetglideok]

There's a couple of us down here. One guy, his username begins with a Z, is a ford tech, I think at a dealership. I do domestic and Asian. I proudly defer euro stuff to guys like tmleader,lol. For labor, it calls for 10.7hrs in Mitchell for a complete engine swap, plus any other incidentals. For a long block, its 15.2hrs. Realistically, even a used engine is not much more than a long block. By the time the boneyard gets it to you, things are cut and broken, and you end up swapping 3/4 of the stuff from the old engine. I normally ask for long block time needless to say. I can't think of any special tools really needed on these, or at least nothing I wouldn't have. As tmleader said, euro brands have their own list of special tools you use just on them, to which I simply don't own.

My question to ginsue, what did the escape do, and what led John Senter to condemn the engine? If this is the shop off Academy and Austin Bluffs, is Rob Gillis still there? He would remind you of Santa Claus, lol.

[Great-Kazoo]

Dang. Sounds like this would put you out a LOT (such as getting tools for a US car).

Do know know any reputable folks who work on Fords?

ZETNIK BOBBY ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

You're gonna need a bunch of stuff to pull it. I have the stands, hoist etc. BUT it's a somewhat major task.
I know you can shave a few $$ on a good used engine. However the labor's the same, rebuilt or used. why not go factory , getting the factory whinetome. I've seen more than one "guaranteed" used engine take a crap, usually 2 months install, and mid winter.

[jerrymrc]

zteknik Is a ford mechanic.

[Great-Kazoo]

zteknik Is a ford mechanic.



Like 3 of us were replying the same time. great minds melt alike.

[tmleadr03]

There's a couple of us down here. One guy, his username begins with a Z, is a ford tech, I think at a dealership. I do domestic and Asian. I proudly defer euro stuff to guys like tmleader,lol. For labor, it calls for 10.7hrs in Mitchell for a complete engine swap, plus any other incidentals. For a long block, its 15.2hrs. Realistically, even a used engine is not much more than a long block. By the time the boneyard gets it to you, things are cut and broken, and you end up swapping 3/4 of the stuff from the old engine. I normally ask for long block time needless to say. I can't think of any special tools really needed on these, or at least nothing I wouldn't have. As tmleader said, euro brands have their own list of special tools you use just on them, to which I simply don't own.

My question to ginsue, what did the escape do, and what led John Senter to condemn the engine? If this is the shop off Academy and Austin Bluffs, is Rob Gillis still there? He would remind you of Santa Claus, lol.

The special tools I saw were the powertrain hoist (dont have, big dollar I think. Looks like a trans jack but designed just for this vehicle to pull the engine transmission) the attatchments for that hoist, some brackets that bolt to the engine to hoist the it once you drop it out of the vehicle and off the transmission and some small stuff you really don't need but which make it a whole lot easier. And my SnapOn man happier too since I would buy it...

[streetglideok]

zteknik Is a ford mechanic.



Yep that's the one I was referring to.

[streetglideok]

I don't recall pulling an engine from an Escape yet, maybe I have? Last year was crazy at times, so I can't remember if I did a trans pull on one or not. What I normally do is disconnect the normal stuff and with jackstands underneath the subframe, I lower the car down till they all touch. I unbolt the subframe and lift the car back up, leaving the engine/trans and subframe. From there I take a cherry picker and lift the powertrain up, and split them as needed. Very similar to how you would drop the powertrain out of a Volvo S60. Pretty sure you can do the same on the Escape, but I don't have one in the shop to glance at this second. As long as you aren't having to peel off the timing chains, there isn't too much you have to have. On that engine, with a used one at least, if funds allowed I would have the timing covers resealed before the engine went back into the car. Common for leaking, and pricey as hell to do once in the car, as everything has to come off or come loose.

[tmleadr03]

I don't recall pulling an engine from an Escape yet, maybe I have? Last year was crazy at times, so I can't remember if I did a trans pull on one or not. What I normally do is disconnect the normal stuff and with jackstands underneath the subframe, I lower the car down till they all touch. I unbolt the subframe and lift the car back up, leaving the engine/trans and subframe. From there I take a cherry picker and lift the powertrain up, and split them as needed. Very similar to how you would drop the powertrain out of a Volvo S60. Pretty sure you can do the same on the Escape, but I don't have one in the shop to glance at this second. As long as you aren't having to peel off the timing chains, there isn't too much you have to have. On that engine, with a used one at least, if funds allowed I would have the timing covers resealed before the engine went back into the car. Common for leaking, and pricey as hell to do once in the car, as everything has to come off or come loose.

Sounds like something I did on a Asian car once a few years back. Actually worked great.

[zteknik]

Like 3 of us were replying the same time. great minds melt alike.
Yup that be me.
I would love to do it for you Thomas,but I just don't have the setup at home to do it,and work I finicky when it comes to bringing a big job like that in the shop for your friends.
Yes the whole cradle has to come out with the engine and the transmission.

What seems to be the problem that you think it's the engine?Could be a cheaper issue- Timing chain,crank sensor and so on.
I have to work this Saturday so if you want you can give me a call and we can figure something out before you go putting an engine into it.

[streetglideok]

Done it on a few Asians, including an Acura TL with the inline 5. On some vehicles, they come out easy. On some, they are a pain. SOme vehicles I leave the rack bolted to the subframe and disconnect the column. Others I'll just unbolt the rack and bungee cord it up. Late 90s fords and newer are kind of nice, in that they use bus connectors for the engine. One or two connectors and the engine harness is disconnected from the chassis. One or two more for the transmission and you're done. Other than your starting/charging cables, coolant and fuel, its done. I can have a Panther chassis Ford engine out(crown vic/grand marquis/towncar) in 2 hours tops.

[zteknik]

Done it on a few Asians, including an Acura TL with the inline 5. On some vehicles, they come out easy. On some, they are a pain. SOme vehicles I leave the rack bolted to the subframe and disconnect the column. Others I'll just unbolt the rack and bungee cord it up. Late 90s fords and newer are kind of nice, in that they use bus connectors for the engine. One or two connectors and the engine harness is disconnected from the chassis. One or two more for the transmission and you're done. Other than your starting/charging cables, coolant and fuel, its done. I can have a Panther chassis Ford engine out(crown vic/grand marquis/towncar) in 2 hours tops.
The older Taurus was easy to do-engine out the top and the transmission I dropped the subframe and swung it back on the sway bar.

[tmleadr03]

The older Taurus was easy to do-engine out the top and the transmission I dropped the subframe and swung it back on the sway bar.

Lol. Just for referance it is a 35 hour job to swap the v8 out of the newer 5 series. You domestic techs have it easy...

[theGinsue]

You guys are great. Thank you all!

ETA: Oh yeah, and Santa Claus is still there @ John Senter North (yes, Academy & Austin Bluffs).

[zteknik]

Lol. Just for referance it is a 35 hour job to swap the v8 out of the newer 5 series. You domestic techs have it easy...
True,but from my understanding the warranty time paid pretty decent.
Domestic warranty time brings about some real sloppy work due to techs shortcutting to make time.

[sniper7]

Rebuilding the engine would be the way to go IMO instead of getting a used one. Even if it has to be bored out a little bit I couldn't see it being over $1500 in parts and $1200-1500 labor to install

[DFBrews]

Have a spare car she could drive if needed

[theGinsue]

Thanks for the offer DF, but I have a policy of never borrowing another mans cars, guns or women. (Okay, I've considered making exceptions for women sometimes)

[Jim B]

My daughters engine died last night on her 2008 V6 Ford Escape and we need to find the best price possible on a new engine & installation.

The shop she had it towed to (John Senter North in COS) quoted her over $5K for a rebuilt engine installed. Her funds are limited so she's going to have to get a loan to get this covered.

Did they tell you specifically what failed? (Maybe the entire engine doesn't have to be replaced?)

Sucks about such a large repair bill...[facepalm]

[Jim B]

BTW, if you don't mind my asking, how many miles are on the vehicle? (How does an '08 already need a new engine? [Dunno])

[rockhound]

does she owe money on this thing or does she own it outright?

[rockhound]

BTW, if you don't mind my asking, how many miles are on the vehicle? (How does an '08 already need a new engine? [Dunno])

lack of maintenance?

get a second opinion, maybe the engine isn't really blown.

[redneck122]

I can probably fit it in the schedule to do, but now sure you want to tow it all the way up here.