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timing chain?

I have some good and some bad news

Good = It's not going to cost me anything, he's not even charging for the parts he used

Bad = It's not fixed and he believes it to be a timing valve issue. I'm going to get it today and bring it home, then get a second opinion probably from AAA.

So as of right now the 'tour is basically out of commission. I'm going to get search for some details to the problem, like the cost and compare with a 3l swap.

Does the timing valve seem like a reasonable culprit?
 
NiggShevik said:
...Bad = It's not fixed and he believes it to be a timing valve issue. I'm going to get it today and bring it home, then get a second opinion probably from AAA.
....

Does the timing valve seem like a reasonable culprit?
Click to expand...

What's a timing valve?
 
either you miss understood him cause he is full of it. i have never heard if this timing valve and looked it up on all data and nothing comes up for this, which I didn't think it would. we have a variable valve timing actuator but i don't think that's it either. this is the wrong guy to have messing with this if in fact you heard him correct.again best of luck. I still think if he infact change the chains, tensioners and guides. checked the cam sprockets, cams etc. to make sure they where okay, verfied timing and used oem parts should have taken care of it if it was the problem, my chain had so much slack it was obvious to any halfway smart mechanic that something wasn't right and that's what tipped of the ford tech one was loose one was tight. I think they aren't being up front with you.
 
I'm sure they aren't being upfront, but I don't know enough about my car to refute them really. This was a lesson learned the hard way. My options are:

3l swap (which is starting to sound VERY expensive, and impossible to find a place that'll do it)
2.5L rebuild (which I haven't looked very deeply into, but sounds like a lot of work and cash as well) - My engine might be too trashed to do this!

Or, I could get rid of this junker (which i dont want to do) and get a new ride at the end of summer with the few dollars I get for this.
 
Assuming you don't want to downgrade in ANY aspect of your current car's performance, mileage, power, braking, etc;

Start looking around and you tell me what car you can find for the EXACT price that you *could* sell your "junker" (as you put it) and not lose a single aspect of performance.

For the money, you won't find another car that will ride as nicely, get the same mileage and perform as well. Sure, add a few THOUSAND dollars on top and you get another choice that performs better, but if you have a fe THOUSAND dollars you can get a fully built 3L with all the goodies.. NOW does your "better" car STILL outperform this one? Doubtful.

If this one is paid for, its cheaper to upgrade... a 3L would be as cheap or possibly cheaper than a 2.5, especially if you need a different 2.5 block!!
 
Ray, man I don't want to sell my car. I appreciate the well-roundedness and handling of my vehicle. Selling it would be a last resort, and it probably won't happen.

My parents, who are feeling the real effects of my car breaking down, suggested I get a new car, but that is up to them.

I am well aware that selling it would involve a big sacrifice of power and fun, and I am trying to stay away from that avenue for as long as possible.

I can upgrade my car. I can afford a 3L right now, today with low miles. I am headed in this direction but I am researching before I jump into it.

All of the drive train extras and labor seem like they are what does the most damage to the pocket. There's no point in putting a 3l in if its just going to crap out in a week.

Personally I want to keep my car and make it a sweet 3L to drive on 17 to santa cruz. That was fun when it was a halfway 2.5l, I can imagine it being sick in a 3l. It's just a matter of money. I have some money in the bank, but I am supposed to move out in August to go to school.

I'm going to Brazil at the end of this month, for a month. So there goes one month out of the summer to work on my car.

I'd have to get this done like, now or it has to wait until i get back in August.
In August I guess i'll have the time, but I also have to find a place to live and get ready to move! This is the busiest I've been in my life, and my car broke at the worst possible time. Between my lack of time and money, I do not know what to do.

I have to hope for some kind of a miracle basically. My 'rents are over it and i'm sick of wasting their money. What should I do?
 
first off I don't think your motor is toast. If you really wanted a 3L you probally should have went that route first.I would tow that thing outta there and bring it to a dealer or another shop to have it looked at and verify if it can be repaired or not. the problem with doing a 3L swap at joes garage is making them understand all thats involved with it so they don't screw it up same with a dealer, It really sucks for you right now, this guy really put you in a bad spot.You don't have to know alot about cars come here for advise but there is no timing valve so they lied #1 and when your shop starts lying to you it's time to get your car the hell out of there. also i would ask to see the old parts, ask about all the timing chain stuff etc. I'd show up with the tow truck and the cops if needed and tell them put my parts in the trunk and well be talking later. don't rush into things even if you have to park the car while your gone and deal with it when you come back just don't let this back you to far into a corner.
 
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