Repair estimate question for Ford Explorer?

Repair estimate question for Ford Explorer?
I have a cylinder 1 misfire on my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport with 64K miles. I took it in for a diagnosis and all minor things checked out ok. Shop says it may be one of 4 items: 1.broken valve spring 2.recessed valve 3.burnt valve 4.cracked head They said the only way to tell for sure is to open the engine which is about $250 in labor. If it just the valve spring they said it would another $350 to repair. If it is the valve or the head the repair would probably come close to $2000 maybe more if other cylinders are damaged. My first questions is does the diagnosis sound plausible with a car with 64K miles on it. Also I got my car apprasied at CarMax and they offered my $3500 for it knowing about the cylinder 1 misfire. Do you think I should take them up on the offer? Consider KBB is $3940 trade in on a vehicle in fair condition. Any help is greatly appreciated. The shop did the compression tests and checked the plugs, wires, injectors, coils, and some other things. I do get white smoke out the tail pipe when warming up. I posted a previous question on the problem a couple of weeks ago and I suspected bad fuel is causing my engine problem. When I first filled up with the suspected "bad fuel" my car was running rough and for a few minutes I could hear what sound like metallic particles shooting through my engine when accelerating. The sound never came back but the engine still runs rough and the misfire error is there.


Answers:

Ratttle Kattle:  That offer from Car Max...is it based on you buying a car from them? Beware Get another opinion...never trust a dealer..they are too hungry
2007-04-04 06:37:26
Robert P:  hell for 2600 you can get a LONG BLOCK INSTALLED...0 miles and a 7 year 70,000 mile warranty
2007-04-04 06:41:19
Mr. T:  I would definitely get a second & third opinion. How do they know the misfire is cause by low compression? Does the engine sound like it's popping due to a leaky valve? Is the exhaust pipe snow white, caused by a leaking exhaust valve? Have someone check the plug wires with an inductive timing light to ensure the spark plugs are all firing. As well ask for a compression test. Inquire about the Ford powertrain warranty. Sounds like low mileage for this type of problem. A burnt valve scenario is usually due to inaccurate timing or improper engine assembly. The Ford Motor Company will say anything to make you pay for the repairs, stand your ground with hard evidence it was due to their incompetence. _ _ _
2007-04-04 06:46:26
fordman:  Cyl #1 misfire could be a bad plug wire too. It could be a bad coil too. Did they do a compression test on the engine? Did you take it to a dealer or an independent garage? Before I had any work done on it,I would get a second opinion from another shop and I would want ot see the compression test results to verify low compression on the #1 cyl. before I let them tear into the engine. As long as you have kept up maintenance on the SUV and kept the coolant level full, and not overheated the engine, the valves should be OK, but stranger things have happened. Good luck
2007-04-04 06:49:42
Chosen Answer
num1huckfinn:  1st off,carmax wants to make money just like the rest of us, and yes that is a fair offer given the history, problems, and kbb. Especially considering that they are the ones that is going to have to put the money into it to get it to sell. 2nd, it is very possible at 64k to have problems such as these, esp. if you run hard. If the plugs,wires, and coil pack checked out as good for your misfire, then it could quite possibly be a cracked head or valve problem. And yes it is going to cost if you have it done, because the ONLY way to be sure would be to take the valve cover and head off, then you might as well go ahead and finish the job and do it anyway. My advice to you is to get another opinion from another dealer or sell it. Good luck and hope this helps.
2007-04-04 06:51:18