When to give up on my truck

[wagoneer]

Look for a F250 with bubble top early 2000 year gas or diesel (if you can get a diesel)

 

[Willy]

 A nice aluminum bodied step van would be something to keep in mind. ..Willy.

 

[LucyImHome]

Well..... the truck made the decision for me. It's dead. I was on my way to a pet sitting job, it starts vibrating like I'm driving over the grooves on the edge of the freeway, except I'm not. I take the next exit to head home, traffic from hell of course. I had to put it in neutral at every stop, give it gas to keep it running. No smoke, just shaking that would mix paint. I probably lost a couple pounds from the stress of making it back to my parking spot. Bye bye to the $350 sitting job.&nbsp;<br>So for now I still have a place to sleep, the truck. It just won't be going anywhere. I'll have to use the bike to get to my jobs. I'm a pet groomer, in people's homes. Dispense with some of the heavy stuff, like grooming table and lighten my tool bag. Schedule for early before it gets too hot. We've been having some cooler days, upper 90s(lol) with a bit of rain. I did not realize the inclines in the roads here. My legs are not happy with me.<br>I've saved $2000. That's what I'll have to buy a replacement. Not a lot. I don't have a lot of time. Another sitting job on 9-20 that'll be $400. My friend can take me looking this Friday and then the 1st to the 5th. Her work takes her out of town and I don't have anyone else that can take me, without lecturing on how foolish it is to buy and live in a motorhome and why don't I get a "real" job. It'll be my daily driver too until I can get a scooter maybe.<br>I'll post the truck for sale. I can sell the Snugtop HiLiner shell(separate) in perfect condition for maybe $400-$500. The truck.... it still starts and runs. Just that pesky loud clacking noise. And the wanting to die. And the lack of power. Yeah, other than that, it's good to go! I don't think I want to part it out. I'd rather sell it as a fixer, as I have all these recent receipts of close to $3000 and for a mechanic, it'd probably not be a biggie. Ask $900? $1100? Take $600? An ex friend sold an early 90s beast of an SUV, the huge one, had sat for 4 years, 4 flats and a wrecked rim, blown engine(threw a rod), etc. She got $500. I should be able to get at least that, since mine doesn't have as many issues. All cars sell for more here in Palm Springs. I won't be buying here.<br>The funny in this? I just gave up my storage unit, all loaded in the truck. I washed the truck. AND... I filled the tank.<br>If I stay really busy, I can prevent meltdown. Focus on finding the new ride. I'm going to prepare for a plague of locusts next though.

 

[Patrick46]

I guess I'm kinda missing something here...<BR><BR>you've saved $2000, and now your gonna sell the&nbsp;truck that you don't wanna sell?? <BR>I don't understand why you're not using this money for a new engine??<BR><BR><BR><BR>well....all the best in whatever route you choose! <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Angel - :angel:" src="/images/boards/smilies/angel.gif">

 

[LucyImHome]

The engine would be much more than $2000. I know I've been ambivalent about keep it/fix it/sell it. I'm just sooo over dealing with it. It needs more than the engine too. Transmission. A lot of etc.&nbsp;

 

[wagoneer]

used cars are a minefield some time ago I was asked to give my opinion and help choose a vehicle for a friend that "did not have a clue". after explaining my ideas (to a deer in the headlights" expression. I just thought OH boy another friend lost. made some recommendations and simple good advice they ignored them all and wound up with a flashy piece of junk. No more for me. <em>i</em> will say pre-78 van. no bmw/merced/ (hight cost repair) early 90's to mid 2000 japan some volvo's VW's. (I am a diesel fan ) If you can find a 86-87 inline 6 turbo diesel wagon (I loved mine) just got to small for my needs. good luck

 

[user 423]

What $2000-$2500 will buy you may not be much better than the '91...

 

[Patrick46]

<BR>that's what I was thinking too...but now it's starting to sound like the rest of this truck is pretty pooped out too. <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Frown - " src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif">

 

[LucyImHome]

Yes, it's not much to spend. Yes, I'm scared. I do however have a mechanic I'll take with me. I'm going for a motor home. My son is moving out here after all. Need space for him too. And I was hoping for something small, like 22". Now, with my budget and time constraint, the criteria has moved up. Up to 28'. Up to a BIG engine. My gas use will double, ah well. My son has been sending me CL links, looks like a good time to buy a bigger MH in SoCal. I guess I'll have to move my discussion over to Living in MotorHomes and bid adieu to Living in a Truck! though I'm still living in my truck....

 

[highdesertranger]

lucy I see you have a 91 f150&nbsp;not sure what engine you have but a autozone rebuilt 5.0 liter goes for 1265.00.&nbsp; comes with a three year warranty. you have to add another couple of hundred for misc stuff and then the labor to install.&nbsp; you should be right around 2300.&nbsp; btw I think that first shop did you bad.&nbsp; if I was closer to you I could do the install.&nbsp; anyway good luck with what ever you decide.&nbsp; you need a break.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[offroad]

highdesert has got the correct idea. buy a complete rebuilt engine with warranty. but you need to find a place that will also cover the labor to install. look at&nbsp;<br><br>pepboys<br>autozone<br>napa<br>sears<br>jasper<br>ford dealership<br><br><br><br>chain stores can back up their product<br><br>was reading the fine print about DYNO TESTING the engine before installation which adds $500 more to the engine cost. sounds like good advice maybe.&nbsp;

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'd advise getting something older and pre-EFI. Simple 'n cheap to repair and the systems aren't as fully integrated. I just lived the nightmare of replacing the engine on my '92 F-250 4x4 (all by myself too!) and.. never again. ..Willy.

 

[LucyImHome]

I've gone to a bunch of shops that do rebuilds, where that's all they do. Quotes were $2500-$4500, and that was before this recent crap out. Everything here in Palm Springs is high price. It pains me greatly to walk away from this much money invested, but I'm feeling like it's a giant money pit. I just made some very bad choices, and also got taken by a couple shady people. The guy I bought it from, and the shop I took it to.&nbsp;<br>Yes I need a break! Good grief!<br>I'm selling off more stuff, the stuff that's in the back of the truck. Get as much money together as possible. And yes Willy, something older.

 

[dusmir]

I would go back to the shop and tell them to show you their 'anti-smoke fluid' or give you your money back. There's no such thing. There is thicker oil, but it would still smoke if a ring is bad. If it isn't smoking now, I would say it sounds like a bad valve in the top end. If the valves are bad and you run a compression test on the engine, it would be low also. Call or email the Better Business Bureau about it.

 

[Unchained]

I read that the other day and thought, "What the %$^## is 'anti-smoke fluid'???" <br><br>I once took my truck for an oil change, and they tried to tell me it had a blown head gasket. Yeah right, boys, let me fork over $1500 so you can 'fix' it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Roll Eyes - "> <br>Some mechanics see tits and assume they can get away with any stupid story they want.

 

[highdesertranger]

lucy that price from auto zone is nation wide,&nbsp; orielly's and napa are probably&nbsp; close to the same.&nbsp; I bet ford is real close also. &nbsp;you just need someone you trust to do the install.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Guest]

I didnt read every bit of this but someone told you they would put anti smoke oil in it? Scam artists. It sounds like it had low oil pressure and the lifter were clattering. It probably started missing real bad causing the vibration.&nbsp; You need someone qualified to look the truck over before you keep sinking money into it. It may be worth fixing but there is no point in putting an engine in it if it has other problems. You say you are looking at motor homes? The first thing to do is find a good HONEST mechanic to help you out with finding a good one. There is so much that can be wrong with just the motor home without even looking at the power train. It makes me cringe to imagine how bad you could be taken. At least you are in a dry part of the country but that does not mean it cant have water damage. Try buying an RV in Michigan that doesn't have water damage.

 

[Patrick46]

<P>We don't need your exact location this very second, but what city are you located in? Are you still in Palm Springs??</P><P>The reason I ask is maybe one of us here on the board can help steer you to an honest mechanic if we know what city you're actually stuck in. <BR>I live up in Oregon, and I sure wish I was closer...I'd be glad to give you a hand and get this fixed without costing you an arm or a leg. I know lotsa car guys up here, and there are always good used engines and mechanics to be found (if you know where to look)<BR><BR><BR>here's another question....<BR><BR><EM>what do&nbsp;<STRONG>YOU</STRONG> really <STRONG>want</STRONG> to do??</EM> <BR><BR>Would you prefer a different truck, a van, or a motorhome...or would you rather fix this truck that you've&nbsp;got now...especially if it can be fixed right for $1000 - $1500?? You do have a choice.</P>

 

[offroad]

Looking at the MECHANIC XFILES on the CAR TALK web site.&nbsp; they list mechanics that are recommended by customers.&nbsp; Not sure if a mechanic can just post their own review on that web site.<br /><br />http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files/mechanic/ca/palm-springs/kennards-automotive<br /><br />There are three mechanics in palm springs.&nbsp; You can try any one of them.<br /><br />You can also look at their YELP ratings to find which is good.<br /><br />http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=autorepair&amp;find_loc=Palm+Springs,+CA<br /><br />last you can call the library, and ask if any librarian can tell you the mechanic they go to.&nbsp; they have been in the area and might know who.&nbsp; Plus they deal in information so they might be able to find other suggestions<br /><br />look at google reviews also.<br /><br />https://www.google.com/#q=car+mechanic+palm+springs<br /><br />

 

[wagoneer]

sounding like you need a big hug, so sorry about your situation. I can't believe there are so many deceitful people praying on the ignorance of people. This is a huge "lesson learned" experience coming at the wrong time as they always do.