Engine shot - Coolant intrusion - 74k miles on my Ford Ranger 2.3L I4 xlt

[Superspirit]

While this is not a good situation, have you considered a used engine and a quality shop to install it. I know that would save a bunch of money. I'm a retired tech so if mine fails I'll buy a low mile used and replace it myself. It's actually easier to replace an engine than it is to repair one.

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[awd.nv]

I don't trust Ford all that much to fix it right either. But depending on if/when it happens I'll let them fix it and then decide whether or not I'm going to keep it. I could always trade it on or sell it with a new transmission which I would think would add a little value or peace of mind to someone else. Basically I don't lose sleep over any of these things (trannys, engines, sensors) because they're uncontrollable and not worth my time or effort. Stuff happens and that's just life.

For what it is worth, my replacement engine has 20k miles on it now and all has been well.....Well that is after they actually bolted the trans mount to the cross member. I love the truck, since about 8-10k miles on the engine I started doing upgrades because I have no plans to sell it.

I recommend extended warranties on modern vehicles for the same reasons. Between inflation, tariffs, shortages; dealer labor and parts go up over time.

I also do not finance the extended warranties, but that said, because I have the money to buy one, I rather lose $2k than risk being out +$8k if something major goes out. Even got it on our '23 Honda Pilot which already has 50k miles and is out of normal warranty.

That is the other thing, we usually exceed miles rather than years which is why I like the extended warranties. The Ranger has 70k miles.

 

[ppfd]

I bought mine from Flood Ford for $1,900 and it was 10/100K. Like you I'm fine financially too but it's just another insurance I carry like health, life, auto and home. It's just gambling on whether or not your upfront cost are going to payoff if you have a major problem. I've wasted more than that on dumb stuff in the past. lol

I'll admit this is the first time I've ever bought one and never gave it a thought before. Vehicles now are just too expensive unlike years ago and repairs and parts aren't getting any cheaper either. I don't see this (engine failure) as being a big concern and actually not one I even thought about. I was more concerned about the computers and the transmission when I bought mine.

Dave,
I look at it like an insurance policy as well. I've paid 10s of thousands in vehicle insurance in my lifetime of driving. I've used my insurance maybe 3 times.
Thank the lord I have not been in an at fault wreck in decades.
Yeah, you can't control what happens on a new vehicle. Damn shame they don't last, or one cannot wrench on them like the older models.
I most likely will buy another extended warranty. But, thanks to this place, I know I can get one cheaper somewhere else.

 

[AzScorpion]

For what it is worth, my replacement engine has 20k miles on it now and all has been well.....Well that is after they actually bolted the trans mount to the cross member. I love the truck, since about 8-10k miles on the engine I started doing upgrades because I have no plans to sell it.

I recommend extended warranties on modern vehicles for the same reasons. Between inflation, tariffs, shortages; dealer labor and parts go up over time.

I also do not finance the extended warranties, but that said, because I have the money to buy one, I rather lose $2k than risk being out +$8k if something major goes out. Even got it on our '23 Honda Pilot which already has 50k miles and is out of normal warranty.

That is the other thing, we usually exceed miles rather than years which is why I like the extended warranties. The Ranger has 70k miles.

Just to add to your last part Anthony as you get up in age you'll likely exceed years rather than miles. Now that I'm retired I drive a lot less and don't see myself buying a new vehicle every 3-4 years like I did in the past. One of the main reasons was because I could write my trucks & vans off for business and traveled a lot between MA & CT working. I have a 10/100K ESP and if I end up keeping my Ranger I'll be lucky to have 65,000 on it in 10 years and that's being generous. I'm sure we'll start taking long trips again but that only added about 4,000 additional miles. We've seen so many places here in the states that I can see most of our travel being overseas or to tropical islands now.

 

[Jason B]

If anyone's interested in an update here... After going back and forth between the dealer and Ford corporate for nearly a month the best offer they have given me is for Ford to cover $4,912.76 (and I would pay $7,369.15) on a new motor installed at the dealer. 2 year unlimited miles service part warranty. This is Ford's final offer.

Well, better than nothing on a vehicle that's 14K out of warranty. I'm sure GM and FCA would have told you to pound sand.
Might have been able to get someone to throw in a rebuilt for less.

 

[awd.nv]

If anyone's interested in an update here... After going back and forth between the dealer and Ford corporate for nearly a month the best offer they have given me is for Ford to cover $4,912.76 (and I would pay $7,369.15) on a new motor installed at the dealer. 2 year unlimited miles service part warranty. This is Ford's final offer.

Man, I wonder what the repair parts and labor breakdown looks like. It looks like a complete engine from Levittown Ford is $3400 but has an MSRP of $4132.

Certainly there are misc parts on top of that too but curious how many hours of labor they are billing for at a total of just over $12k.

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-engine-kb3z6006e

 

[Superspirit]

Lkq, 30k used $1795. That would be my choice

 

[Jason B]

Man, I wonder what the repair parts and labor breakdown looks like. It looks like a complete engine from Levittown Ford is $3400 but has an MSRP of $4132.

Certainly there are misc parts on top of that too but curious how many hours of labor they are billing for at a total of just over $12k.

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-engine-kb3z6006e

That's for a long block only, No manifolds, turbo, or electrical. In other words, head block, and rotating assembly.

 

[awd.nv]

That's for a long block only, No manifolds, turbo, or electrical. In other words, head block, and rotating assembly.

Yeah, long block is what he would need. That's all they did when my engine failed, but I had a rod bearing issue not a head gasket issue. I guess if the oil got contaminated, that's a turbo too he may need.

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