2009 Lincoln Nav for $900 that needs timing chains worth buying, and advice on the work?
Posted by Pipsqueak_premed@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I do a lot of DIY car work, last winter changed the timing belt/tensioner and water pump on my 2019 Ridgeline. Wondering if buying this Navigator with a 5.4 is worth $900 or if I am getting over ambitious. Thanks in advance for the advice!
OldeWorldWays@reddit
Do you realize the front of the engine has to be dissembled to gain access to the chains and guides? Plus all the other work related to get there? This is Labor intensive work and not the faint at heart.
The parts kit on Rock Auto for a complete kit of better quality parts is close to $1k not including the misc of parts you will need, plus the special tools.
The vehicle would have to be in exceptional condition to "want to tackle" this repair in order to make it worthwhile.
This YouTube channel is (not mine) - just a very good, detailed Ford / Lincoln mechanic that does outstanding videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQVKnd2r-ww
Pipsqueak_premed@reddit (OP)
Yeah I feel like perhaps my post didn’t convey the idea that I am very capable of doing the work and the scope of it. I was curious as to if buying it, doing the work, and then reselling was a good idea.
OldeWorldWays@reddit
You will need recover the costs unless you don't pay yourself anything for labor
Familymanjoe@reddit
How much do you pay yourself for mowing the lawn or taking out the garbage?
FlounderKind8267@reddit
$900? Probably a complete junker that doesn't run
Pipsqueak_premed@reddit (OP)
It was listed 12 hours ago, interior is really clean and so is the outside. Wheels don’t even have brake dust etching. He said it has the P0012 and P0022 for timing retarded when I asked. He also said it idles and runs fine aside from the timing issue.
FlounderKind8267@reddit
If it was fine and working, he wouldn't be selling it for $900. Any working car is worth at least $2k nowadays, and those ones are dumps. If you're just using this for parts, fine. But for a vehicle you want to drive, I wouldn't
FailingComic@reddit
Youd be suprised. We just bought an early 00s Honda odyssey for $500. Just needed a temp sensor. Guy was ready for something new. 150k miles on it with nearly no rust.
PresentIron5379@reddit
I think the Lincoln Navigator is a nice vehicle and I personally would buy that one if I found it that cheap. You've seen lots of people bring up the cam phasers on the 5.4l and those are usually the death of that engine. Having done 5.4l cam phasers once in the past, the job is definitely a pain but if you're knowledgeable, it's definitely doable. You might end up getting lucky if you decide to go get the navigator. Back in 2021, I found a 99 Isuzu trooper for $100, was told it had a blown engine and it ended up being a nasty vacuum leak from the back of the intake manifold gasket. I'm still daily driving that vehicle.
Total-Improvement535@reddit
It’ll be a whole engine replacement. Those 5.4 3v are notorious for cam phaser issues. It’s just as expensive to put a new/newer used engine in it as it is to fix the phasers.
Pipsqueak_premed@reddit (OP)
That’s a shame, it looks really clean. I thought I would do the work and then re-list it. I’ve heard the triton motors do have a lot of issues. Here is the marketplace listing I was looking at.
https://www.facebook.com/share/18o1BTzXQo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Total-Improvement535@reddit
it is pretty clean it just looks like it’s been sitting for a while. if you have the aptitude and finances to get an engine and swap it in, I’d offer them $500 and see what they say.
Ciccio178@reddit
"Still starts and moves" doesn't really scream "daily driver"
Run!
OpinionofanAH@reddit
It’s worth $900 in parts alone. It’s cheap enough if you can do your own work it may be worth it. It would be easier to just throw a used engine in it than mess with the timing set if that’s what is truly wrong with it.
Advanced-Elk-7581@reddit
No