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

[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.